Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 9, 1991 TAG: 9102090385
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I think this is a beautiful facility for world title fights or any other fight," said Lee, who has been president of the IBF since its inception in 1986. "There is not a bad seat in the place, and you have excellent locker room facilities. Any fighter coming in here would want to come back again."
Lee is in Roanoke attending the 1991 Virginia State Amateur Boxing Championships, which conclude tonight at the arena.
"This is really the type of place that's good for boxing," he said. "Take a place like Atlantic City. There you're going to hold a fight in a casino, but they aren't good for watching fights. Also there are no locker rooms, the fighters have to change in a bathroom or their hotel room and then come to the ring. A lot of places hold cards in ice arenas, and the boxers can never warm up. For its size, this is one of the best facilities I've seen."
Lee said that as far as he can tell, Valley Sports Promotions is doing a good job in its effort to bring big-time boxing back to Roanoke. He added that patience and persistence are the keys.
"As long as promoters do things the right way and realize their limitations, they can make boxing work," said Lee, who was deputy commissioner of boxing for New Jersey from 1978-86. "A lot of times [promoters] have to understand that they're not going to be financially successful right away. It's an investment. You don't become a Don King or Bob Arum overnight. It takes a lot of hard work."
Doug Beavers, IBF ratings chairman and Virginia commissioner of boxing, has attended every card at the Valley Sports Arena since the first in September 1989.
"From the start, the management here has worked hard," Beavers said. "At times, I know they haven't been happy with the crowds, but I have.
"It's long term. Assuming you do everything right, you're going to still lose money on your first three [fights]. On the fourth fight you hold, you'll break even. The fifth and sixth will get you back the money you lost on the first three. It's not until the seventh card you hold that you will begin to see a profit."
Beavers said it hurt Valley Sports Promotions when it didn't have regularly scheduled cards through most of 1990. The arena held a fight card in March, then didn't have another until the James "Quick" Tillis fight in December.
"Boxing fans are creatures of habit," Beavers said.
Lee said another key is finding local fighters with potential. "People will support a guy who is local," he said.
by CNB