Art Pelullo To Run Regular ESPN Shows in Mexico

By James Blears

It takes a mouth watering venture to coax Art Pelullo away from his favorite birthday dinner of  fried chicken and apple pie. But he’s skipped it this July 28th, to be in Mexico and announce that he’ll soon be launching a monthly show with ESPN International to showcase fistfuls of talent south of the Border.

Art has already dished up a spicy starter in Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas, Southern Mexico, with the July 11 IBF Featherweight Title in which Cristobal Cruz won a unanimous decision against Jorge Solis. The full series is scheduled to start in January. 

He explained: “I am going to be here with ESPN, we are going to do ten shows a year, and they’re looking to make a push into the Mexican market. There are some great Mexican fighters and we’re very excited about being here. We want to be in Mexico because it’s the biggest market in boxing.

“What I’m also looking to do is to build and develop relationships with the local promoters, so maybe we can co-promote if there’s real big fight we can bring them to in the United States. I’m going to treat them the way there supposed to be treated.  I’m also looking to find stars, not steal stars.”

Art states this is such an important project for him, that he’s discarded his birthday celebrations. He confided: “I’ve never been away from my family on my birthday, and I’m even out of the country. So I figure I’ll have an extra piece of cake tonight.”

Art also thanked the WBC and its President Jose Sulaiman for invaluable advice, introductions and guidance during his stay in Mexico. He also commented about boxing in general by suggesting: “We don’t always have to agree, but we have to work together. That’s what it’s all about.”