Arum blames Bush for slow sales
By Kevin Iole
Bob Arum, the Hall of Fame boxing promoter, will have none of the suggestion that ticket sales for middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik's first title defense are slow because he's facing a weak opponent, Gary Lockett, who is unknown in the U.S.
Arum said that not as many of Pavlik's fanatical followers from Youngstown, Ohio, will make the trek to Atlantic City, N.J.'s Boardwalk Hall for the HBO-televised bout on June 7 than did last year for his title-winning effort over Jermain Taylor.
But Arum said that has nothing to do with Lockett's considerably lower profile than Taylor.
"It's not all left hooks and jabs," Arum said Wednesday during a media conference call.
Arum has a culprit he's blaming, though: President George W. Bush.
"He's (expletived) up the economy so bad, people can't afford to buy tickets," said Arum, who was a staunch supporter of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in the race for Democratic presidential nomination.
"People are hurting. There won't be the same number who came to the Jermain Taylor fight. It's not because they're not back Kelly. They're hurting. Gas is over $4 a gallon. Wake up and realize what is happening in this country."
Arum said Pavlik will earn a $2.5 million purse for his first title defense (his win in a February rematch with Taylor was a non-title fight). Lockett, who is from Wales, will make $250,000.
Someone asked Arum if that's Lockett's biggest purse.
"The dollar is so (expletive) weak now, who knows?" he boomed.
Source: Arum blames Bush for slow sales - Boxing Experts Blog - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports
Bookmarks