TOUGH TO DENY ARUM THIS YEAR
San Francisco, CA– He celebrated birthday #77 on December 8. A product of Harvard University from the late 1950s, promoter Bob Arum was a US Justice Dept. lawyer assigned to taxing boxings first version of pay per view, closed circuit TV. Working at one of the Sonny-Liston-Floyd Patterson fights is where Arum became intrigued with boxing and the money it generated. Two years or so later, circa 1966-67, the then very politically liberal Arum was working with Muhammad Ali., SURROUNDED BY PRETTY SMART CREW
Arums early success may have had a lot to do with his relationship with legendary matchmaker Teddy Brenner. His longevity can be attributed to a number of things. Matchmaker Bruce Trampler, long considered a great boxing mind, has done a lot of the hard work in building Arums fighters up. While rarely does he err in making matches, Trampler did gaff when he played ball with Frank Manzione, the NY cop turned FBI operative.
CAN THE KID TAKE THE REINS?
Arums stepson Todd du Beof is the man pegged to take over when Arum keels over. Making more of the day to day decisions than anybody at Top Rank, Todd also escaped the clutches of the FBI sting dubbed Operation Matchbox, as he too hung with Manzione. There are mid-level soldiers, Brad Goodman, Sean Gibbons, to name just two. Arum still has publicist Lee Samuels, enjoying his second run at Top Rank, this after Arum fired him in a huff! The only real change in Arum-ville in the last couple of years was the departure of Arums personal secretary, the incomparable Pat Razor Rizzo.
ARUM HAD GOOD RUN IN 2008
Having Manny Pacquiao under contract has enabled Top Rank to promote three mega-events in Pacquiao-Juan Marquez II, David Diaz, and the near dismemberment of Oscar De La Hoya. They also put forth the Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto fight in July. And that doesnt take into account Kelly Pavlik, a middleweight champ sans a national following. Instead of building one by fighting guys for $1.5 million of the Edison Miranda ilk, Pavliks decision to face Bernard Hopkins for $3 million and losing a near shutout is something that will likely haunt him forever.
JUAN MO THE REAL DEAL! CHAVEZ JR.MAYBE?
Arum also has unbeaten WBO 122 lb. champ Juan Manuel Lopez (24-0), the future of boxing in the lighter weights. The Puerto Rican is the most exciting up and comer in the game as of right now! Also under the Top Rank promotional tent is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. An improving fighter for sure, the kid is something like 35-0, and yet hes still not ready for prime time.
BIG COMEBACK FOR THE TOP RANK BRAND
With the exception of the loss of the Telefutura TV dates, Arum and his cohorts have had a pretty good year. Quite a comeback for a company that was figuratively and literally on the ropes just a few years ago. For that, congratulations are in store for the crew on Howard Hughes Parkway in Las Vegas.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, TV commentator, radio talk show host, former San Francisco Policeman and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding this submission can be left below.