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LOS ANGELES – Fresh off a whirlwind 2005 schedule which produced many successful promotions, significant boxer signings and solid television ratings, Goossen Tutor Promotions looks toward building on that momentum to become an even more prominent force in the boxing world in 2006.
Promoter Dan Goossen spearheaded over twenty promotions last year, including the entertaining and highly successful FSN’s “Best Damn Fight Night Period” series.
Much of the early year focus will revolve around James “Lights Out” Toney, who is slated to challenge Hasim Rahman for the WBC Heavyweight Title on March 18, 2006 in Atlantic City. Toney (69-4-2, 43 KOs) was recently voted as the most likely boxer to next dominate the heavyweight division in a poll taken by thesweetscience.com. “They say wine only gets better with age, not fighters. Well, James Toney is here to show differently. I believe because I see it. You’ll believe when you see it on March 18 against Rahman,” exclaimed Goossen.
2005 featured the addition of some promising talent to the Goossen Tutor boxing stable, including a pair of young and dynamic heavyweights, Travis Walker (14-0-1, 12 KOs) and Chris Arreola (13-0, 11 KOs). Walker, the 2003 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, and Arreola bring tremendous punching power into the heavyweight division. Add fast rising welterweight Paul “The Punisher” Williams (28-0, 20 KOs) and junior welterweight Lorenzo Reynolds (10-0, 4 KOs), and the up-and-comers compliment the diverse current and former champions and world rated fighters as part of the Goossen Tutor team. These include Toney, Robbie Peden, Kirk Johnson, Cedric Boswell, Joan Guzman, Steve Forbes, Robert Guerrero, Wayne McCullough, Willie Jorrin, Lakva Sim, Julio Gonzalez and Vasiliy Jirov, to name a few.
2005 also included the continuing development of 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward. A middleweight with unlimited potential both inside and outside the ring, Ward (7-0, 4 KOs) followed Roy Jones, Jr. as the only boxers with an endorsement deal with the esteemed “Jordan Brand” announced last month.
As the year wound down to its conclusion, Goossen Tutor took pride in a pair of events, which perhaps best exemplify the persona of Goossen and his efforts to continually strive to advance the company’s and it’s boxer’s status among the elite in the sport of boxing.
First, Australian middleweight Sam “King” Soliman, a prohibitive underdog, put up a spirited and some say winning effort against Ronald “Winky” Wright in a battle for the #1 WBC/IBF/WBA ranking in a bout televised on HBO. Soliman (31-8, 12 KOs) loss a close decision, but won the respect of the boxing fans around the world and officials in attendance at the Mohegan Sun Arena. “I remember turning to Craig (Goossen) during the fight and saying this is what boxing should be,” said Goossen. “There was no ‘tap out’ for Soliman or Wright. They both just dug down deeper and deeper trying to exert their will over the other.”
Among other opportunities in 2006, Goossen is attempting to secure a title shot for Soliman against WBA/WBC/WBO middleweight champion Jermain Taylor or a rematch with Wright.
The year culminated with Goossen Tutor promoting a well-received “Salute the Troops” boxing show at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, CA. In addition to attending the fights, our servicemen and their families were treated to a meet and greet at the base by James Toney, who toured the facility.
With the highly anticipated “Best Damn Fight Night Period” making it’s 2006 debut in March, Goossen is planning on Goossen Tutor producing another busy year of shows for FSN along with some other major network promotions, including pay-per-view.
Goossen continued “The presentation of our ‘Best Damn Fight Nights Period’ have given the fighters a major platform in and out of the ring to elevate their position in the boxing world. And lets not forget the knowledgeable and entertaining personality of boxing commentator James Toney on each broadcast. Goossen Tutor promises an exciting and eventful 2006, mindful that the heavyweight division will again flourish with the unpredictable, charismatic and more importantly, the most gifted fighter in the world today, James “Lights Out” Toney sitting atop the mountain.”
Goossen Tutor plans to continue to be one of boxing’s premier promoters, providing fans the highest quality and entertaining promotions in the world.
 Parody Pics: Hasim Rahman and James Toney
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