08.02.05 – Old-time cowboys loved their home on the range. But World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman, the pride of the Dominican Republic, loves his home east of San Diego, in the “Valley of Sycuan.” To prove his affection for his warm relationship with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, which is an offshoot of the hugely successful Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, Calif., Guzman has entered into a new, multi-year promotional contract..
“These are good people,” Guzman said after he and his new manager, Brooklyn,
N.Y.-impresario Jose Nunez, agreed to terms with Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “I feel in my heart that this is where I want to continue my boxing career and this is where I want to finish out my time in the ring.”
Guzman, who is undefeated with a record of 22-0 and 17 knockouts, blamed his recent inactivity and weight problems on a former manager. But this “Little Tyson” isn’t looking in the rear-view mirror.
“The past is like a canceled check,” Guzman said. “You can only spend today and, hopefully, tomorrow. I am sympatico with my Sycuan family, from Tribal Chairman Dan Tucker on down. Everyone on the Tribal Council has shown me tremendous love and support from the first day they met me.
“I know I have great promoters. I love and trust Glenn Quiroga, Willie Tucker Sr. and Scott Woodworth. I know they have only my best interests at heart. Other world champions have managers, promoters, lawyers, advisers, trainers. Me, I ‘ve got more than that. I have a whole tribe behind me, the wonderful Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Knowing that just gives me more fire in the belly to go out and show that I am the world’s best boxer, pound-for-pound.”
For his part, Dan Tucker said the love affair was hardly one-sided.
“Guzman is a great warrior,” Tucker said. “When you see him fight, it is pure excitement. We believe he can beat anyone out there and we will give him the opportunity to do that. We are proud he wants to remain part of our Sycuan family.”
Nunez, who is new to boxing and to Sycuan, said he feels the same vibe.
“I am a succesful businessman who comes from the rough streets of Brooklyn,” Nunez said. “From jump street, I could see that the Sycuan people are the real deal. Their word is their bond. Team Guzman is Team Sycuan and vice versa. They got my and Joan’s back and we have theirs. Do I feel comfortable with Sycuan? It’s just like sitting in the cushy sofa that your father had.”
Quiroga, who doubles as Tribal Treasurer and head of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, said he looks forward to great things from Senor Guzman.
“I know we can work with Joan and Jose in a smooth manner to the benefit of all,” Quiroga said. “At Sycuan we are about business and the bottom line in everything we do, but we never forget the human equation involved. You won’t have a profitable bottom line unless you treat people right.”
Woodworth, executive vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, said Guzman can produce a boxing buzz like “Iron” Mike Tyson used to.
“I worked for Don King when Mike Tyson was the rage,” Woodworth said. “When Mike walked into the ring it was no shoes, no socks and no mercy. Guzman wears socks and shoes but his nickname fits him like a glove. He’s destructive; he destroys.”