Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer
Promoter Bob Arum, who loves a challenge, has a doozie in front of him at the moment: trying to sell the Roy Jones Jr.-Julio Gonzalez fight Saturday at Staples Center as a competitive matchup.
And he's at full stride.
He explained how the balance of power in boxing has shifted from the East Coast to the West Coast. He contends the West now produces the majority of championship-caliber fighters and has the best instruction and facilities.
Arum pointed out that Gonzalez, who learned to fight in Huntington Beach, is a product of that superior system.
``Julio Gonzalez is the best light heavyweight out there, with the possible exception of Jones,'' Arum said emphatically.
So why haven't we heard of him?
Arum blames the L.A.-area media, which he said doesn't cover the sport properly: Few boxing writers cover small cards and as a result miss the evolution of talented young fighters. Arum is incensed that Gonzalez is written off by writers he contends haven't seen him fight even once.
``It's one thing to have seen him fight and say he can't win,'' Arum said. ``It's another to say that when you haven't seen him fight.
``... The people who don't give Gonzalez a shot haven't seen him fight. That's very telling to me.''
Gonzalez is a 20-1 underdog to Jones, who fights out of Florida. Obviously, the oddsmakers haven't seen Gonzalez fight.
--Crowded house: Tickets for Saturday's card are selling well, according to a Staples Center official. As of Monday afternoon, 12,580 were sold.
Tickets are available in all price categories, from $25 to $500.
--Staples watch: Staples Center officials would like to stage one more card before the end of the year and have been in contact with the handlers of several fighters, including Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya.
Tyson appears to be out of the picture because he's nearing a deal to fight Brian Nielsen on Sept. 8 in Denmark.
However, De La Hoya is a possibility. He and Shane Mosley would be the mostly likely matchup because both want to fight before the end of the year and would make huge paydays. Fernando Vargas, another possible opponent for De La Hoya, won't be available until next year because he fights Shibata Flores in September and would need more time to prepare.
JONES vs. GONZALEZ
Who: Roy Jones Jr. defends his undisputed light heavyweight championship against Julio Gonzalez.
When: Saturday
Where: Staples Center
TV: Pay-per-view (begins 5:30 p.m.)
CAPTION(S):
box
Box:
JONES vs. GONZALEZ (see text)
