Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, Inc., boxing’s leading promotional company, announced today the hiring of boxing veteran Carl Moretti as Vice President, in charge of Boxing Operations. “We are ecstatic about Carl joining the Top Rank family,” said duBoef. “He’s a great fit for the company. He understands Top Rank’s goals and will be a huge asset in helping to achieve them. Most of all, Carl is just plain good and I can tell you right now, Top Rank is already the better for signing him..”
Moretti, 48, of North Arlington, NJ, has been in the boxing business for 23 years, starting as an assistant matchmaker at Madison Square Garden’s boxing department, followed by stints as Vice President at Main Events and DiBella Entertainment. Carl and his wife Judy have two daughters, Katie, 17 and Colleen, 11.
“I’m going to miss working with the gang at DiBella Entertainment, they’ve all been great. And Lou, well, he’s a man’s man and I thank him for everything he has done for me. He realized Top Rank was offering me an incredible opportunity and he gave me his blessing the second I discussed it with him,” said Moretti. “I’ve known everyone at Top Rank for a long time and I look forward to being in the same corner with them. Bob and Todd have a vision I believe in and I look forward to making that vision a reality.”
Arslan Injured: Huck-Arslan Postponed
Former WBA cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan from the spotlight boxing Team has pulled out of his May 9th European title shot against Marco Huck of the rival Sauerland Event Team due to an injury to his left foot. Arslan suffered a stress fracture in the foot back in January that seemed to have healed, but the foot has not responded well to the demands of a full training camp and a continuation of his pre-fight preparations was not possible.
A deeply disappointed Firat Arlsan stated: “Until recently I had hope that this injury was healed up and I could fully get through the preparations for the fight against Marco Huck. Now, however, I have a medical training ban and need to ensure my future health. I hope that the injury completely heals and then I can line up the next title chance. I’m very sorry for my fans. They have given me so much encouragement over the last few months and everyone was cheering me on for the fight against Marco Huck. I’m sure that I’ll come back very soon and be ready to box Marco for the title!”
Circle City To Host McGee – Follmar Press Conference
On Friday, April 10th at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, NABC Lightweight Champion of the World “Merciless” Mary McGee (16-0, 10 KOs) and the WBF Light Welterweight Champion of the World Kristy “Rose” Follmar (16-1, 9 KOs) will invade Indianapolis, Indiana when the pair of champions sit down for a press conference at the Rock Steady Boxing Training Facility, 2002 Wellesley Blvd., just weeks before they step into the ring for “Date With Destiny” at the Hammond Civic Center, on Saturday, April 25th.
Gary, IN’s McGee and Indianapolis, IN’s Follmar will be aiming for two of the biggest prizes in boxing when they meet in the ring, McGee’s NABC Lightweight World Championship and the vacant WBC Lightweight Welterweight World Championship, but at the Rocky Steady Training Facility they will sit down together for just the second time.
At their most recent press conference at Hooters in Schererville, McGee declared that a loss would end her career. “Nobody’s coming out of retirement to beat me, not Kristy Follmar, not Eva, nobody,” said McGee. “If I lose to Kristy, I’m quitting.”
Follmar, who is the executive director at Rock Steady Boxing, shot right back at McGee. “It’s everybody’s time to lose at some point,” said Follmar. “I have one loss on my record and if it’s Mary’s time to lose, she’ll bounce back.”
Octavius James, C.E.O. of One In A Million, Inc., could feel the electricity in the air when these two world class athletes met at their first press conference. “If someone in attendance at that press conference couldn’t tell that these two world champions wanted to get things started right there, then I don’t know what to tell you,” said James.
“We just want to thank the wonderful people at Rock Steady for the opportunity to give these two warriors one more chance to tell the world their intentions come “Date With Destiny” before they get a chance to lace it up and put together one of the best fights the world has to offer,” added James.
The two young world champions will also be stopping by the Indiana Golden Gloves on Thursday, April 9th at the Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis. “Without Golden Gloves, boxing wouldn’t have world class fighters like McGee and Follmar, both of which have won Golden Gloves titles and we just want to show some appreciation for Golden Gloves,” said James.
Also featured on the “Date With Destiny” card is a brother and sister pair “The Pit Bull” Jimmy Perez Jr. (4-1, 1 KOs) and Tiffany Perez as they make their first appearance on the same fight card and the Co-Main Event will showcase Michael “Midnight Stalker” Walker (19-1-2, 12 KOs) vs. Orphius Waite (4-0, 3 KOs), Ed “2 Fast 2 Furious” Ochoa (7-0, 7 KOs), Josh Crouch (3-0, 3 KOs), Angel Hernandez (11-3, 9 KOs), “Big” Ty Ortiz (Debut) will also be in action.
Tickets for this spectacular “Date with Destiny” are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at VIP $100, VIP ringside $75, ringside $50, and general admission $30 and they are available from any Ticket Master location at (219) 791-1234, (312) 559-1212, (866) 438-7372 or www.TicketMaster.com and at the Hammond Civic Center box office (219) 853-6378.
The Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave. just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago will open doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout at 8 p.m.