After reading some derogatory stories unfairly criticizing Irish Ropes Promotions for canceling its March 16th scheduled “Erin Go Brawl II” pro boxing show at WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden, I am compelled to set the record straight about why we pulled the plug 10 days out and to explain what really happened leading up to the final decision.
First, though, I’d like to offer my condolences to Liam Neeson, and his family, for the loss of his wife. He attended several of the shows we promoted and I met him at many Irish benefits. Liam is a great man.
I’d also like to congratulate Brian Dunne on his great world-title winning performance last weekend and also to his promoter, Brian Peters, and trainer, Harry Hawkins - you reap what you sow! I’d also like to congratulate Mathew Macklin for winning the British middleweight championship, Paul McClosky for successfully defending his British title, and Andy Lee for his good performance.
I am, however, disappointed by what Lee said in newspapers back home about our show being canceled. I had a choice of losing $50,000 by canceling when we did, or to potentially lose $250,000 to go ahead. I was not under any contractual obligation to any of the fighters and chose to take the lesser hit.
The poor economy in New York and back in Ireland played a part in poor advance ticket sales, but the real reason for it was Team Lee. Let’s review the situation leading up to the cancelation. My first call to Manny Steward was for Lee to fight Walid Smichet. He agreed and it was even listed on Boxrec.com. Damien McCann, who is in charge of making deals for Lee, said they would take the fight but not for $30,000. Negotiations went back and forth for a few weeks and we finally agreed on $50,000, $4000 in comps (tickets), plus another $10,000 if the gross gate receipts were more than $425,000.
But then Lee said he wouldn’t fight Smichet because he knew about the animosity between Irish Ropes and John Duddy and he didn’t want to embarrass Duddy by fighting Smichet. Well, as it turned out, fans weren’t interested in buying tickets to watch Lee fight somebody that hadn’t won any of his last eight fights, Antwun Echols, who hasn’t won since 2004 and was knocked out the same night Andy fought in Ireland. Lee ridiculed us for the way we promoted the show and he even trashed the traditional Irish pub we had the press conference at, Jack Dempsey’s, where Gerry Cooney had his press conferences in the old days, as well as John Duddy and James Moore, and even a press conference for a documentary about Billy Collins was held there.
We promoted “Erin Go Brawl II” the same way we promoted any of our shows at Madison Square Garden. People simply weren’t buying tickets to see Lee fight a non-competitive fight against Echols. When I decided to pull the plug on the show, 10 days before the scheduled event, we had sold only 1500 tickets, approximately $130,000 worth, compared to $400,000 at the same time for our previous show (“Erin Go Brawl”) there. Bars that normally sell 300-400 tickets had sold only 20-30 for this one and nobody was going in or calling for tickets. It was inevitable and although I was terribly disappointed, I really didn’t have much of a choice about canceling the show.
Lee goes and talks to papers back home ridiculing me, saying he had to find-out from a third party that the show had been canceled. Within 10 minutes of deciding to cancel the show, I called, in order, the commission (New York State Athletic Commission), Madison Square Garden, (Irish-based boxing promoter) Brian Peters to ask if he could put Andy on his card, and then to Emanuel Steward. I told him the bad news was our show was canceled, but the good news was Andy would be fighting on Peters’ show in Ireland a week later than our show was scheduled. Andy Lee was with Emanuel.
Looking back at what happened, there was also a lot of bitterness about boxing in the Irish community (in New York City) resulting from a very negative article written by Thomas Hauser, of Team Duddy. My hands are tied on the advice of my attorney, but when everything is settled in court, I guarantee you the truth will come out on that subject.
We took the high road and didn’t blast anybody in the media for what’s happened to Irish Ropes Promotions. Too many lies and mistruths have been told, so I felt there was a need to explain everything from our side.
Regards,
Eddie McLoughlin,
Irish Ropes Promotions, President
See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1
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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com
©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Showing posts with label Irish Ropes Promotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irish Ropes Promotions. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, June 28, 2008
DUDDY-HOWE WEIGHTS FROM BOSTON
“HASSLE IN THE CASTLE”
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Castle, Boston, MA
WEIGHTS FROM BOSTON
JOHN DUDDY 158 ½ LBS.
CHARLIE HOWE 160 LBS.
DONNY ORR 162 LBS.
ROBERTO VALENZUELA TOMORROW
EDWIN RODRIGUEZ 162 LBS.
HECTOR HERNANDEZ 161 ½ LBS.
MARK CLANCY 191 LBS.
SALAH ZABIAN TOMORROW
BRODERICK ANTOINE 141 LBS.
ANTONY ACCARDI 140 LBS.
Promoter: Irish Ropes Promotions
Matchmaker: Jim Borzell
Tickets: Limited $50.00 $75.00 and $100.00 at door
Information: www.irishropes.com
Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1
EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine
Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Duddy vs. Howe headlines Saturday night’s “Hassle In The Castle” pro boxing show in Boston
NEW YORK– The return of unbeaten world middleweight title contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy to Boston highlights Saturday night’s (June 28) “Hassle In The Castle,” presented by Irish Ropes Promotions, at The Castle.
Duddy (24-0, 17 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBC and WBO, faces Charles Howe (17-4-2, 9 KOs), in the 10-round main event. The popular Irishman has a growing fan base in Boston, where he has fought and served as a television color analyst in the past.
The 8-round co-feature pits a pair of middleweights, 2000 Canadian Olympian Donald Orr (12-0, 5 KOs), now fighting out of South Boston, against former Mexican Pacific Coast champion Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (44-37-2, 37 KOs)
Two-time U.S. National amateur champion Edwin Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs), of Worcester (MA), takes on dangerous Hector Hernandez (10-2-2, 4 KOs) in a 6-round bout.
Also on the undercard in a pair of 6-rounders, Boston by way of Ireland cruiserweight Mark Clancy (7-0-1, 1 KO), 4-time Irish National amateur finalist, meets Salah Zabian (6-10, 4 KOs), of Lee (MA), while Lynn (MA) junior welterweight Simeon Dunwell (7-0, 2 KOs) squares off against Aaron Drake (13-6, 9 KOs). Anthony Accardo (1-0, 1 KO) fights Broderick Antoine (2-5-1, 1 KO) in a 4-round match. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Limited tickets are priced at $50.00 $75.00 and $100.00 and are available up until Friday, 4 PM at The Kells (Jerry Quinn – 617.733.4535) in Allston, Porter Belly’s (Sean McCormack and Pat O’Sullivan – 617.254.3300) in Brighton, Shenanigans Bar & Grill (Shay Harris – 617.269.9509) in South Boston, and The Banshee Pub (617.436.9747). Tickets will also be on sale until midnight Friday through www.irishropes and at the door Saturday night at the fights. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1
EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine
Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Duddy returns June 28th in Boston; Headlining “Hassle In The Castle"
NEW YORK– Undefeated world middleweight contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy returns to the ring June 28 with a new head trainer in his corner, Pat Burns, in the 10-round main event against Charles Howe, headlining “Hassle In The Castle” at The Castle in Boston.
Duddy (24-0, 17 KOs), a native of County Derry in N. Ireland, lives and fights out of Queens, New York. He is rated No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by the WBO, as well as No. 5 by the WBA and No. 10 by the IBF. Burns trained Jermain Taylor to the world middleweight title. Howe (17-4-2, 9 KOs), fighting out of Ohio, is coming off of the only loss in his last 14 fights, dating back nearly eight years, to WBC USNBC champion Joey Gilbert in their title fight last September.
“We’re returning to Boston out of appreciation to all of his fans there,” Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin said. “John has a lot of friends in Boston and he sold out The Castle 2 ½ years ago when he beat Julio Jean. There are a lot of Irish and Irish-Americans living there and we’ve received countless requests to return. We’re excited to be coming back on June 28 and John will be fighting for the first time with Pat Burns as his head trainer.”
South Boston middleweight Donald Orr (12-0, 5 KOs), 2000 Canadian Olympian, is scheduled to fight in the 8-round co-feature. On the undercard against opponents to be determined are Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs), 2-time U.S. National amateur champion, faces his stiffest test to date in Marcus Upshaw (8-1, 3 KOs); Boston by way of Clare, Ireland cruiserweight Mark Clancy (7-0-1, 1 KO), 4-time Irish National amateur finalist; Lynn (MA) junior welterweight Simeon Dunwell (7-0, 2 KOs) and Philadelphia super featherweight Frank Trader (1-0, 0 KOs). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $50.00 $75.00 and $100.00 and are available at The Kells (Jerry Quinn – 617.733.4535) in Allston, Porter Belly’s (Sean McCormack and Past O’Sullivan – 617.254.3300) in Brighton, Shenanigans Bar & Grill (Shay Harris – 617.269.9509) in South Boston, and The Banshee Pub (617.436.9747). Tickets are also available at the usual Irish Ropes outlets in New York City and by going on line at www.irishropes.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1
EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine
Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Duddy returns June 28th in Boston Headlining “Hassle In The Castle”
NEW YORK– Undefeated world middleweight contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy returns to the ring June 28 with a new head trainer in his corner, Pat Burns, in the 10-round main event against Charles Howe, headlining “Hassle In The Castle” at The Castle in Boston.
Duddy (24-0, 17 KOs), a native of County Derry in N. Ireland, lives and fights out of Queens, New York. He is rated No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by the WBO, as well as No. 5 by the WBA and No. 10 by the IBF. Burns trained Jermain Taylor to the world middleweight title. Howe (17-4-2, 9 KOs), fighting out of Ohio, is coming off of the only loss in his last 14 fights, dating back nearly eight years, to WBC USNBC champion Joey Gilbert in their title fight last September.
“We’re returning to Boston out of appreciation to all of his fans there,” Irish Ropes Promotions president Eddie McLoughlin said. “John has a lot of friends in Boston and he sold out The Castle 2 ½ years ago when he beat Julio Jean. There are a lot of Irish and Irish-Americans living there and we’ve received countless requests to return. We’re excited to be coming back on June 28 and John will be fighting for the first time with Pat Burns as his head trainer.”
South Boston middleweight Donald Orr (12-0, 5 KOs), 2000 Canadian Olympian, is scheduled to fight in the 8-round co-feature. On the undercard against opponents to be determined are Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs), 2-time U.S. National amateur champion, faces his stiffest test to date in Marcus Upshaw (8-1, 3 KOs); Boston by way of Clare, Ireland cruiserweight Mark Clancy (7-0-1, 1 KO), 4-time Irish National amateur finalist; Lynn (MA) junior welterweight Simeon Dunwell (7-0, 2 KOs) and Philadelphia super featherweight Frank Trader (1-0, 0 KOs). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $50.00 $75.00 and $100.00 and are available at The Kells (Jerry Quinn – 617.733.4535) in Allston, Porter Belly’s (Sean McCormack and Past O’Sullivan – 617.254.3300) in Brighton, Shenanigans Bar & Grill (Shay Harris – 617.269.9509) in South Boston, and The Banshee Pub (617.436.9747). Tickets are also available at the usual Irish Ropes outlets in New York City and by going on line at www.irishropes.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1
EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine
Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
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