BOXING

by John Mastalir edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

This Friday at the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV Campus, in Las Vegas on ESPN.

I have written and reported boxing for nearly 40 years, here in Las Vegas and all over the county, I always look for an angle or hook to tweak interest in pre fight stories......this card has some intrigue and some angles.

The ESPN television broadcast and promotion gives all boxing credibility with its exposure, production and crack broadcasting team led by Bryan Kenney, boxing reporter of the year. Next the venue outside a casino is....... different (I have covered boxing in 44 Las Vegas Casinos) this venue has first class sight lines and reasonable ticket prices. Finally the fight ! Well they always have to fight and that is a judgment call like any sporting event, whether you like it or not whether the event can live up to its billing....this one has plenty of billing. A major press conference Wednesday at Planet Hollywood with food, interviews and a boxing ring for workouts. They got my interest.

The key is Chris Byrd...two time heavyweight champion and genuine great literate guy who you like to be around ! Byrd has beaten heavyweights Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, Jameel McCLine, Fres Oquendo, ....drew with David Tua and lost to Ike Ibeabuchi and Wladimir Klitschko twice...how do you like that resume ? While not a great big puncher Byrd is enduring and now fighting...ARE YOU READY ....as a light-heavyweight. Byrd (37) is 40-4-1 he is rated 24th of 664 light heavies, his opponent in the main event....Shaun George (29) he is 16-2-2 rated 44th of 664 light heavies ! The most George ever weighed for any fight 200, the most for Byrd 222. They both weigh 175 for this one ....I can't wait to see how this one pans out ! First fight at 5, tv at, 6 main event at 7....I got the old Betamax fired up for replay when I get home !