Exclusive Boxing Interview: Al Low

Big Event with Big Al

Big Al’s Promotions are putting on an evening of amateur fights tonight at 59 West in Highland, MI. “Big” Al Low is the Chairman of the Michigan Boxing Commission since it succeeded the Athletic Board of Control in 2004. SaddoBoxing spoke to Mr. Low and found out what he has planned for the big night.

SaddoBoxing: Good afternoon, Mr. Low. Is this an amateur show?

Al Lowe: “Yes; sanctioned by USA Amateur Boxing. They’re a national sanctioning body”.

SB: How many fights will there be?

AL: “We have 18 scheduled fights. There will probably be between 12 to 14 at the end of the day”.

SB: What trainers will be there?

AL: “A lot of different clubs. We have the Livonia Boxing Club, Unity Boxing Club from Livonia, I believe, Azteca Boxing Club, Kronk Boxing out of Detroit, Casa de Boxeo”.

SB: Do you have a goal you’re trying to accomplish?

AL: “In fact we have two. We have an immediate goal: fundraising events like Friday night for pretty much all the gyms we mentioned. We’ve got planned 7-8 different events for 2007 and each one will adopt a particular gym and sponsor it and a portion of the proceeds goes to the gym. For instance, a portion of the proceeds will go to Azteca tomorrow. The next one will go to Miguel [Nuñez] for Casa. With each one we will do a donation for the gym.

“The second big vision is to put together a world class training camp [in Brighton] to be a little different from the boxing gym. They’ll live right there, work out there alongside various gyms from all over the world. I want this training camp to be so high class that we’ll be drawing pros from all over the world. Emanuel Steward, who I think the world of, has [made] an obligation to bring his fighters to our camp so Johnny from Pontiac will be right next to Klitschko if we can put it together”.

SB: So at this point, it’s just in the planning phase?

AL: “We’re just making the first steps. We’re talking to Bob Arum’s people and Don King’s people. It goes on and on, even some people from California. Emanuel Steward would have loved to have brought that whole Taylor camp and Klitschko camp to Brighton.”

SB: What fighters in particular are you looking forward to seeing tomorrow?

AL: “I can’t think of the names, but there is a whole range from 8 years old. I’m so lousy with names I can hardly remember my own. There are some fighters I’m really excited to see again including some Kronk fighters”.

SB: What time does the event start?

AL: “There will be a grand buffet dinner. Carved prime rib, chicken and pasta starting at 5pm and the fights will begin at 8pm. It will run probably until around 11pm. We’re also going to have a silent auction”.

SB: What are you auctioning?

AL: “We’ll have a glove signed by Thomas Hearns. A baseball signed by #41, Darryl Evans. Also pizza, memberships to local gyms in the area, free movie rentals, gift certificates to local merchants”.

SB: This seems to be a pretty big event.

AL: “Big Al’s promotions is doing exactly that. Putting on events. I don’t want to do boxing, I don’t want to do a dinner; I want to do events”.

SB: Any celebrities showing up?

AL: “I will know for certain tomorrow morning, but Tommy Hearns will be there unless he has to leave town along with Ron [Hearns]. He came to our last event. Cornelius Bundrage will also be there”.

SB: I’m going to be there with my 9 year old nephew. It sounds like something he’ll enjoy.

AL: “He’ll enjoy the heck out of it, I guarantee you”.

SB: Mr. Low, thank you very much for your time.

AL: “Thank you”.

Advanced tickets for tonight’s event are $45 dollars and $25 for the fight only. Call 248-390-1873 or 248-529-3377.