Move Over WWE! It's the GBE!
Boxing as Sports Entertainment is Here!
Move Over WWE! It's the GBE!
Boxing as Sports Entertainment is Here!
When was the last time you saw professional heavyweight boxers having such a laugh right after they pounded on each other? When was the last time you saw one pro heavyweight fighter take on five consecutive opponents? But more importantly, when is the next time you can see such a spectacle? For the exciting answers to these questions and more...read on boxing fans!
By Arthur J. Bloberger Photos: A1 Photography
Above, left to right, Sergio "El Grande" Soto, ring announcer Jaime Estrada, Jose Martinez, Alvaro Morales and ring diva Billie await the audience's decision on the GBE's first 5 on 1 boxing exhibition, held Jan. 21 at the Silver Saddle.
The Global Boxing Entertainment Company has taken a page from Vince McMahon and brought it to Las Vegas.
McMahon, as many know, is the highly successful CEO of the WWE, but his attempts to work his successful sports entertainment formula on other sports have been very unsuccessful, for instance his World Bodybuilding Federation and the XFL - both dismal failures. Maybe it's because he overlooked the obvious - odd because he does occasionally feature boxers in his pro wrestling storylines, such as Chuck Wepner, Mike Tyson and, most recently, Floyd Mayweather. But have no fear.
On
Saturday, Jan. 21, a hulk of a
local local boxer, 11th ranked
Mexican heavyweight Alvaro
Morales (photo right),
took on five consecutive
opponents in a special squared
circle "King of the Ring" event
at the historic Silver Saddle
Saloon, a GBE exhibition made
for television that thrilled
both the crowd and the fighters.
Going against Morales, two
rounds each, were Jose Martinez,
Luis Fernandez, Alex Paz, Elisio
Duran and Sergio "El Grande"
Soto.
The first time such a thing happened was in 1975 when the legendary George Foreman took on five fighters in Toronto, Canada, just after Muhammad Ali beat him for the heavyweight championship. Today it's still one of the most sought after boxing videos in the world. In 1993, Ernie Shavers also fought five fighters in Phoenix, AZ. And until last month at the Silver Saddle, the concept had all but disappeared.
Above, from left, in fighting order, Morales vs. Jose Martinez, Luis Fernandez and Alex Paz. Below, also from left, Morales vs. Elisio Duran and Sergio "El Grande" Soto. Soto was chosen by the crowd as the handicap fight's winner.
The event was such a hit with that the GBE is following up with another at the Silver Saddle Saloon on Saturday, Feb. 25, this time with crowd favorite Sergio "El Grande" Soto himself taking on five big heavyweights, the names yet to be announced. But don't be surprised if Gonzalez is one of them looking for a goodhearted measure of revenge. And again, the show will be televised on Aztec America and the TVS television Network (TV4U.com, TVSBoxing.net and TVSSports.com).
"Boxing
in Las Vegas is always
exciting," said TV4U CEO Charry
Kennedy. "Even though this is an
entertainment event and not a
competitive boxing match, it
should be very entertaining and
exciting for all boxing fans."
But more than that, it's an afternoon of music, song, and yes, just like the WWE, beautiful ring divas (see photo left, the lucious Rebe and Billie) and plenty of fun and Silver Saddle Saloon refreshments as served up by one of the Silver Saddles own darling divas (such as Ellie, Jesse and Veronica, below).
So forget about "The Big Show!" You want to see a real tough guy - it's "El Grande" taking on five guys at the Silver Saddle! For more information, check out the advertisement below. It's the best time you can have anywhere for $10. I'll see you there!
