By Victor Salazar
Brooklyn, New York - Although boxing is on the ropes in New York City for the time being - a big fight card is heading to Brooklyn on January 14th at the Barclays Center - as Mayweather Promotions and Dibella Entertainment will put on it's the first major card of 2016 when Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12 KO's) takes on James Degale (23-1, 14 KO's) in a super middleweight unification fight.
Lou Dibella of Dibella Entertainment has consistently brought major fights to Brooklyn and this event is no different.
"I'm happy to be promoting this, tremendous props to Stephen Espinoza because if you're a fight fan it doesn't get any better than this with Degale and Jack," Dibella told BoxingScene.com. "(Jose) Pedraza's fighting a young brash kid who thinks he's a beast and his path is lined with gold in Gervonta Davis. Pedraza is the only male Puerto Rican world champion fighting in New York in front of the New York Puerto Rican fans. It doesn't get much better than Degale and Jack. I've talked to boxing fans and they are split on who wins."
With the uncertainty of the insurance laws regarding combat sports in the state of New York, Dibella makes it clear that fans shouldn't worry about Degale-Jack not happening in The Big Apple.
"The fight will happen, no one should worry about this fight not happening so you can get your tickets," explained Dibella. "The bigger problem is that the issue isn't solved. We have lawyers and people looking into this. We may have to play a little chicken with this fight but its still happening here."
"But still, Broadway boxing is out of business, Star Boxing Joe Deguardia's shows are out of business. Local fighters that would normally be developed in New York are out of business and have nowhere to go for fights. Dmitry Salita has taken his shows out of New York. It's a big issue."
Dibella is confused as how something like putting boxing out of business in a state could happen.
"I want to know how this happens, a law that in effect stops boxing but goes into effect before the policy is available in the state," stated Dibella. "Why? And How? Who did this? We keep it real in Brooklyn when something's not right and it's not right."
Dibella feels that it isn't an accident that this bill was passed as Mixed Martial Arts came into New York.
"I don't think there's a coincidence that a law to enable UFC to be legal in New York passed and that [law] in effect killed boxing. I don't believe in accidents. I don't hate on MMA and UFC, and I don't begrudge what that are trying to do."
"But in effect they put an entire sport out of business. I don't blame UFC. They didn't pass the law. The boxing industry has been put on hold in New York and today's a call to action and today we are taking our sport back."
