For decades Fort Worth boxing was a force to be reckoned with from the 80s to the 2000s. Fighters like the"Lone Star Cobra "Donald Curry, Paulie Ayala, Sergio Reyes, and heavyweight contender Kendrick Releford put Fort Worth on the boxing map and represented the city well. It gave the city its own identity, not just a city 35 miles west of the bright lights of Dallas. Fort Worth had its own identity and stood on its own. In recent years that identity has started to fade with fighters like Errol Spence and Maurice Hooker winning world titles and the emergence of upstart prospects like Vergil Ortiz Big D has stolen the spotlight.
Releford, a former title holder, spoke on the recent Golden Boy card held in Fort Worth this past summer that was headlined by Grand Prairie native Vergil Ortiz "I'm thankful for Golden Boy being here. I hate the fact that we have a Golden Boy card but never Fort Worth Fighters on it right here in our city." Releford explained that we have good fighters "they just need exposure."
Releford, is the owner of Dream performance Boxing Gym in Fort Worth and REMG, a professional boxing management Company, and is working to bring a list of boxing events to the area. First up is this Saturday, January 21st, an 80s throwback amateur event at OD Wyatt High School. He will follow that up with a card stacked with some of Fort Worths' best talent on February 11th, at the Southern Junction in Irving. Additionally, there are plans to bring three more cards to Funky Town in the upcoming months. With July 8th official, additional dates in April and June are in the works. "We're gonna put Fort Worth Boxing Scene on our back and take off." The former heavyweight title holder said and added " "it's building... it's only up" when asked about the direction of Fort Worth boxing.
February's main event will be between two Fort Worth natives. The undefeated Ben Gurment, 7-0-2 (5), and Emmanuel Tennision 3-3 (2), who has won two consecutive fights by stoppage and will be for the Texas state title. Releford said the two fighters "know each well. They have sparred plenty of times. It's going to be a great fight." it's a stacked card filled with some of Fort Worth's finest "the whole card is a crowd pleaser" Releford explained.
Other Fort Worth talent on the card includes a 6-foot-tall, featherweight, amateur stand-out, and unbeaten professional Joel Martinez. He will have a Fort Worth VS Dallas battle with Xzavier Jackson. Also, undefeated Gary Hampton will be on the card. A hard-hitting super featherweight who looks to move his record to 3-0.
The February 11th show will also feature the professional debut of Sammy "Cobra" Brown the 2022 regional and state Golden Gloves champion a fighter near and deal to Relefords heart "that's like my son... I Have a 21-year-old son.. he has developed really well.. it is his time to make a move now and we're ready... He's ready to start making money." Relford explained.
The event is promoted by Made Men Promotions, an out-of-state promotional company that has relocated to Fort Worth and is on a mission to highlight Fort Worth Fighters and get them the exposure they deserve.
Tickets for the February 11th event can be purchased on their website https://www.mademenpromotions.com/
Tickets for this Saturday's amateur event can be purchased at Eventbrite and start at just $15 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dream-performance-remg-talent-presents-an-80s-throwback-boxing-event-tickets-494561425537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch