Lucas Ketelle / BoxingSceneOnce touted as a global boxing showcase capable of drawing more than 100,000 spectators to the streets of San Francisco, the iVB boxing event is being scrapped for the Bay Area with vastly shrunken eyes on moving to a 2,500-seat Las Vegas venue.
Lead promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told BoxingScene Monday that logistical problems connected to fulfilling plans for hosting a public outdoor audience at the San Francisco Civic Center July 11 are chiefly responsible for the cancellation.
Lewkowicz said the boxing card, headlined by WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga defending his belt against Andy Dominguez, will still occur in July as he shops venues.
The outdoor plan proposed by iVB head Ed Pereira seemed overly ambitious from the outset even as it included the support of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The permit process of securing such an event was extensive, and the San Francisco Chronicle first reported the production company involved in the event, Silverback, withdrew.
Silverback, which produces the popular Bay to Breakers run, was “genuinely excited” about the boxing event, CEO Kyle Meyers told The Chronicle.
iVB Boxing didn’t mention reported financial issues also contributing to the cancellation, posting it was “due to growing logistical concerns … full refunds will be made to all that purchased tickets.”
Tickets ranged from $60 to $600.
Mayor Lurie said he’s turning his attention to this month’s World Cup games in the city.
