Promoter: Bantamweight boxing tournament could land in Southern California
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Boxing promoter Gary Shaw said Wednesday that officials are looking at Southern California venues to relocate the Dec. 11 bantamweight tournament scheduled to be fought in Mexico.
‘Showtime decided not to go to Mexico, it’s too dangerous,’ Shaw said.
The tournament, pitting Vic Darchinyan (35-2-1, 27 KOs) against Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs) and Yonnhy Perez versus Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs), will definitely be moved to the U.S.
A Showtime spokesman said production ‘logistical issues’ forced the bout to be moved moreso than the security concerns that Shaw referenced.
Shaw said he’s ‘researching’ which Southern California venues could stage the fights, including the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, the Home Depot Center tennis stadium in Carson and perhaps another casino property.
A spokeswoman for Agua Caliente said there is no concert scheduled for the casino arena, the Show, on Dec. 11.
Mares’ promoter Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions said business partner AEG also was exploring the idea to place the fights at either Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, or the San Diego Sports Arena.
-- Lance Pugmire
