Talking Boxing with LOU DIBELLA
"if Hopkins wanted to fight Jermain and presented an offer we couldn't refuse, then yes"
by
Julius Stecker
2/22 -
Lou DiBella, CEO of DiBella Entertainment, is one of boxing’s best and most experienced promoters having developed an impeccable reputation as a matchmaker, spokesman, and one of boxing’s most knowledgeable figures.
Often times DiBella is sought out for his opinion on the fight game, whether it is about an intriguing match up, or regarding one of his premier fighters. Never apprehensive to offer his opinions and having recently partnered up with multimillionaire, Hip Hop Mogul Damon Dash, in an enterprise aimed at increasing boxing awareness in the Hip Hop community, DiBella is branching out and for the good of boxing.
Dibella also has the fortune of promoting one of boxing’s future stars, middleweight contender Jermain Taylor, among many others, as well as the successful “Broadway Boxing” series beginning a second year. TalkingBoxing.com recently caught up with Dibella to get his take on his show at the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York City on Thursday, Jermain Taylor's future along with the IBF Junior Lightweight Championship with his fighter, Nate Campbell on Wednesday.
DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
TalkingBoxing.com: Tell us about the upcoming fight card on Thursday.
Lou DiBella: We have Yuri Foreman on the card. He is fighting an 11-2 kid, who is pretty tough, and it should be interesting to see how he performs. Also we have Edgar Santana, and Curtis Stevens on the card among others.
TalkingBoxing.com: What is your take on the upcoming Nate Campbell rematch against Robbie Peden?
Lou DiBella: I think Nate Campbell is too smart to make the same mistake twice. Nate Campbell right now is a better fighter then Robbie Peden, and I believe he will win the title. All due respect to Robbie Peden, but I believe that Nate will knock him out.
TalkingBoxing.com: If Nate is successful against Peden, do you see a big fight on the horizon against the Manny Paquiao- Erik Morales winner?
Lou DiBella: Nate has never had the opportunity to make big money in this sport. So if Nate wins the title, we are going to be looking at the biggest possible fights for him.
TalkingBoxing.com: Looking back on this past Saturday, what do you think about Jermain Taylor’s performance against Daniel Edouard?
Lou DiBella: I think Jermain did exactly what he wanted to do, and what he needed to do. He went out with the intention of knocking him out and that is what he did.
TalkingBoxing.com: So based of that performance, do you think Bernard Hopkins is the next fight for Jermain?
Lou DiBella: You know Julius, there are other meaningful fights out there for Jermain Taylor, but if Bernard Hopkins wanted to fight Jermain and presented an offer we couldn’t refuse, then yes that is fight we would take. The same thing with Felix Trinidad, if the money were right there, we would take that fight too. But we will just have to wait and see how everything plays out. But they’re a lot of opportunities out there for Jermain right now.
"they’re a lot of opportunities out there for Jermain right now"
TalkingBoxing.com: Moving on to your recent partnership with Hip Hop mogul Damon Dash, can you elaborate on that, and what you think it means for DiBella entertainment and for boxing?
Lou DiBella: Any joint venture that helps with the marketability of young fighters is a positive. What we are trying to do is increase the awareness of young fighters who would not otherwise receive attention. And I feel we have the right partner in Damon Dash to help these fighters get greater exposure.
TalkingBoxing.com: Do you think the partnership between Boxing and Hip Hop will be similar to that of the one between Basketball and Hip-Hop?
Lou DiBella: No question, it is a natural relationship. There has always been a relationship between Boxing and Hip Hop. It is a natural marriage. If you go to the gyms you will see the fighters wearing Roca Wear, or you see them listening to Hip Hop music. And don’t forget that Mike Tyson is still one of the biggest Hip Hop Icons around.
TalkingBoxing.com: Moving on to your stable of fighters, what are your plans for Jose Navarro?
Lou DiBella: We are looking to getting him back in the ring in April, and then we are looking to get him in against the winner between Kawashima and Tokuyama in September.
TalkingBoxing.com: How about Monte Barrett, what are looking for from him?
Lou DiBella: First off, I don’t think it is fair that the WBC does not have him as the mandatory challenger. Monte has been fighting well, and he deserves to get a shot at that title. I will be talking to Don King soon, Barrett’s co-promoter, and we will see where everything stands.
TalkingBoxing.com: How about Paul Malignaggi?
Lou DiBella: Paulie is coming off hand surgery, but he is getting better. Once he is better we will test his hand out, but we will be looking to get him in the ring later in the year, possibly against his arch nemesis Al “Speedy” Gonzales.
TalkingBoxing.com: What about the return of Ike Quartey, I heard he looked impressive in his last outing, is he going to be fighting at middleweight?
Lou DiBella: Middleweight is a weight that he can make comfortably, that is where he will fight, but if the right-fight comes along he may be willing to make 154. In fact, I will be talking to him later this week, but he wants to fight Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and or Bernard Hopkins.
TalkingBoxing.com: Also you have Raymond Joval, and he is fighting Fernando Vargas next month, do you think that will be a favorable match-up for Joval?
Lou DiBella: Joval is a very mysterious fighter, and he is a true professional fighter. I will tell you this right now; his fight with Vargas will be very tough and competitive.
TalkingBoxing.com: In closing here, what can boxing fans expect from Dibella Entertainment and your future fight cards?
Lou DiBella: You are going to see good fighters in good competitive fights. We will be looking to get these kids exposure through this partnership with Damon Dash, and we will do positive things for them from a marketing standpoint.
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