Boxing Promoter Tom Brown Loves El Paso as a Fight Town
About 20 years ago, El Paso was considered a major boxing town. Every marquee fighter was being showcased in town at the Don Haskins Center, County Coliseum, Cohen Stadium, and even the Sun Bowl. However, the Sun City has not been a major factor in the fight game over the last 10 years. HBO returned to the Sun Bowl for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but the turnout paled in comparison to Oscar De La Hoya's big match in front of more than 40,000 fans in the summer of 1998.
Tom Brown remembers the days when El Paso was a top boxing draw and he is trying to bring the attention back to west Texas with Premier Boxing Champions. Less than two months ago, Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander fought to a controversial draw in front of the announced crowd of 5,087 fans at the Haskins Center. Jennifer Han and Austin Trout also fought on the card that night and Brown was so impressed with the turnout, that he is bringing another prime time PBC event to El Paso on April 28th. Josesito Lopez will headline the big night of boxing, which also features Abie Han moving up in weight to challenge Anthony Dirrell in the co-main event.
Brown is doing everything he can to help put El Paso back on the map by bringing major boxing shows to town. As long as fans continue to support events like PBC, we have a terrific opportunity to re-emerge as a top destination for boxing.