By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
Evander Holyfield saw the struggles and knows something about the trials and tribulations of the boxing game. The former heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer needs little introduction and it’s common for “The Real Deal” to be recognized and greet someone on a daily basis. He has one of those recognized faces for what was accomplished in the ring with an illustrious and memorable career.
Peter Dobson, the 27-year old welterweight from the Throgs Neck area of the Bronx is aware what Holyfield brings to the table as that icon of sorts. He is also aware about the early accomplishments of Holyfield’s promotion, “Real Deal Boxing” and the impact it has for upcoming fighters.
Though Dobson, co-featured Saturday night on the latest Holyfield promoted card, at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, has been around and could very well not be classified as an upcoming fighter, 9-0-0, and 5 KO’s to his credit. Holyfield has said his promotion has a focus to promote the upcoming fighter and concentrate those efforts in New York where the fight game is starting to revive.
But boxing is that tough sport. Without a proper promoter and strategy a fighter can get lost in the shuffle. Dobson has been there, so he knows what recognition means and with Holyfield now in his corner,and promoting the upcoming fighter on a regular basis, there is hope for another potential champion from the Bronx.
Said Dobson this week about Holyfield, “One thing I remember, he told me boxing is a hard sport. You going to do one hundred percent you are punishing yourself one hundred percent.Evander is a real humble guy, very personable.”
Other promoters get personal, and they do it for a reason because boxing is a business. So Dobson, a three-year pro after a successful amateur career has dealt with obstacles. There have been setbacks from a sports hernia injury and promoters that made it more difficult with the boxing business at times more difficult than the political orbit in Washington D.C.
But, he is beginning to realize what Evander Holyfield and “Real Deal” bring to the table.There is that consistency of fighting on a regular basis, and doing business with a former and popular champion does carry some weight for a fighter that is willing to go that next step. The promotional agreement with “Real Deal” is four fights a year under the three-year contract.
“I just keep working,” said Dobson. “I feel I don’t get recognition. Don’t know what I have to do.” But with Holyfield and “Real Deal”, Dobson has that opportunity. Get in the ring, keep winning, and with Holyfield committed to promote consistently in New York that can help Peter Dobson with that extra step.
Dobson opposes Marin Wright, (11-2, 5 KO’s) from Brooklyn, a hometown favorite in an eight-round bout with a catch weight at 149 pounds. It will be his first fight of the year after scoring an eight round decision last June over the previously undefeated Jeremy Nichols in Louisville Kentucky.
Wright is coming off a eight-round decision loss to undefeated David Grayton, and it’s been a long layoff from that October 17, 2015 fight in Fairfax Virginia. Before that, Wright won three straight bouts all in the New York City area. Dobson is careful about opponents but has that confidence.
He says, “I will beat anyone that is in front of me. All you can do is brawl, the ring is small.” He will fight out of the southpaw stance and the preparation has been intense and doing a lot of leg strength with trainer Marcus Suarez.
And with the focus back, because there was a time last year Dobson contemplated giving up the sport, he intends to move on and be the next Real Champ under Evander Holyfield.
Said Holyfield about the 12-bout card, “This is truly a stacked card with incredible fights featuring two tremendous New York City cross-town rivalries and a slew of Olympians which were very proud to continue promoting on our Showcase Series events.”
“Important boxing is done in New York,” Dobson said. “What Evander is doing will help try and revive boxing in New York.” It means also that local fighters such as Peter Dobson are kept busy. They sell tickets for the promoter as a headliner. It means hometown fans, family and friends will also be at the Kings Theater Saturday evening.
Headlining the event is Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (10-1-0, 6 KO’s) of the Bronx from Aguadilla Puerto Rico opposing 10-3-0, 4 K0’s) Victor Vargas of Yonkers in an eight round junior welterweight bout.
And a special attraction is the eight-round bantamweight bout with undefeated Duke “The Baby-Faced Terminator” Micah (21-0-0, 18 KO’s) of Ghana opposing Yoan Boyeaux (41-5-0, 20 KO’s) the veteran from France. Micah represented Ghana at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
But all eyes will be on Peter Dobson and now that he is with “The Real Deal” possibilities are endless.
More on the “Real Deal Card: www.TheRealDealBoxing.com, www.KingsTheatre.com
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