By Kern De Freitas
Story Created: May 24, 2011 at 12:33 AM ECT
(Story Updated: May 24, 2011 at 12:33 AM ECT )
A "coalition" for a more cooperative approach to boxing.
That is how boxer-cum-promoter Floyd Trumpet has described the union of Floyd Trumpet Promotions with Unified Promoters to put on a June 25 card dubbed: "A Night of Champions".
The "Fighting Postman", as Trumpet is known in the boxing world, is set to fight Nick Casal of the USA.
The card will also feature top local heavyweight Kertson Manswell, Ria Ramnarine and Kirt Sinnette, as well as Lorissa Rivas and up-and-coming Prince Lee Isidore.
At yesterday's media conference to announce the event at Ma Pau Members Club on Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain, Giovanni Potts, who heads Unified Promoters, estimated the cost of staging the event, at an unconfirmed venue, at more than $1 million.
Potts also stated that event promoters have reached an agreement with Sportsmax and ESPN Television to have the action broadcast delayed on those stations.
According to Potts, the only way boxing can move forward is with a united front, a sentiment Trumpet echoed.
Yesterday, Manswell was at the media conference for the first match-up since he lost his first round Prizefighter International Heavyweights series match to Cuba's Mike Perez earlier this month in London.
The T&T heavyweight, though, is upbeat despite losing his last two bouts. Manswell pointed to Mohammad Ali as his inspiration.
"(His) greatest victories came after losses," Manswell reasoned, saying he is ready for a comeback. His opponent has not yet been decided, but he disclosed that that person is likely to come from Russia or Europe.
Ramnarine is currently in South Florida "training hard", according to Potts.
His father Boxu Potts, matchmaker, founder of Unified Promotions and adviser to the T&T Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC), announced the Board's support for the event. The elder Potts also hinted that there are people within the boxing fraternity who are trying to stop the event from coming off.
He also clamoured for the return of Pro Am cards, and threw out what seemed like a loosely-veiled invitation to amateur Tariq Abdul Haqq, a medallist at last year's Commonwealth Games, to fight on such a card.
The event is being partly sponsored by Ma Pau Members Club, while the younger Potts said the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has "pledged assistance", and they are also appealing to corporate T&T to support the event.