I was asked by David Rivas from Marksville, who is associated with the Paragon Casino Resort, to take a look at the Rapides Parish Coliseum and once I walked in, the place blew me away. I then called my contacts for a popular sports show on Fox to televise a high end fight show here and now it’s happening on July 18th.
In preparing for the event, I continually met interesting people who have really stepped up and promised to assist to make this a community event. Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, and Candlewood Suites jumped in immediately with assistance. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Roosevelt Johnson, who has called me every day to see how he can help. He has been more than helpful. The ladies at the Alexandria/Pineville Visitors and Convention Bureau are stepping in to assist and are remarkable. We met with the GAEDA office, Angela Varnado and Mr. Clifford Moller, and the distributors of Corona beer, and they did join us understanding Alexandria will be seen by the country and other parts of the world. Corona beer is the national sponsor for FS1 fights on Fox. The local distributor is working with us to make this a phenomenal event for the Parish of Rapides and beyond. Many more sponsors have come on board. By the time of this writing, others are still calling in. A local attorney will have his firm recognized on national television on the neutral corner pads, and this is just the beginning.
We expect immense exposure for the city of Alexandria and the Cenla area. This is a live, two-hour national television show on Fox’s popular FS1 channel on a night without baseball, football, or basketball sports shows. The eyes will be on this boxing show across the United States and millions of people will not only see the great city of Alexandria, but millions will see the remarkable Rapides Parish Coliseum. You can’t pay for that type of advertising! Imagine running a 30-second spot on that national television show. Alexandria will have two hours. Priceless. Plus, I didn’t mention the replays.
Our undercard fights will feature two heavyweights. One is Triple J (Justin “Jawbreaker” Jones), a popular former Louisiana and Texas high school and college football player who is now undefeated in 22 matches plus the former IBF heavyweight champion of the world, Prince Charles Martin (24-1, 22 knockouts) fighting in separate matches. Both are looking for a big fight next on national TV. Of course, they must both win. Those two alone could be a main event anywhere in the world on any nationally televised show. We haven’t even talked about the main events yet, which will be fierce competitive matches with boxers you have seen on national television several times and many who have fought for world titles.
We are proud to partner with FS1 Sports, Warriors Boxing Promotions—one of the most prominent promoters in the world, Premiere Boxing Championships—the busiest management company with more televised shows worldwide than any other promoter, and publicists from across the continent. Media attention to this area will be viral.
Our goals for the event in Alexandria are simple. Should we draw an excellent audience, we will be back regularly every year with national television. This exposure will also open the doors to major concert and sports promoters from across the United States. I’m looking forward to a Vegas Style event that audience members will remember for years to come.
For event information or to purchase tickets, visit www.keeppunching.com or ticketmaster.com.
Keep on punching!
