SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS PROMOTES SUCCESSFUL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CARD IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD

Posted on | October 3, 2008 | 2 Comments

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2008) – Sycuan Ringside Promotions (SRP) is not just a boxing promotional company anymore.

The four-year-old operation that promotes several world champion boxers is now trying its hand at promoting mixed martial arts events.

Thursday night, SRP in association with Total Combat Entertainment presented Total Combat “Notorious” from the Sycuan Resort & Casino, located just fifteen miles east of downtown San Diego, Calif.

The sell-out crowd of 2,800 were treated to an exciting and frenetic main event between welterweights Jesse Taylor and Drew Fickett.

From the start, Taylor had Fickett on his heels which would lead to a quick take down. Once on the ground, Taylor landed heavy shots to Fickett’s head, one of which opened a two-inch gash on his forehead just above his right eye.

Taylor would continue to land shots while Fickett tried to block the assault. The referee stopped the barrage at the 1:42 mark of the first round awarding Taylor the victory via TKO.

“We saw a great and unique vibe today,” said Scott Woodworth, president of SRP. “The fans loved the fights. The energy was out of this world. It’s was raw, intense and powerful. It was fun to sit back and observe the excitement as a fan and as a promoter.

“We sold every seat in the house. We were turning people away at the box office. I can say that future MMA shows are in the works here at Sycuan. We now have a successful model to build from.”

In the co-main event, Ian McCall of Laguna Nigel, Calif. won a unanimous decision against San Diego-native Kevin Dunsmoor in a three round bantamweight bout.

ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including undefeated and former World Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Scott Woodworth, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Sean Gibbons, vice president/matchmaker.

ABOUT SYCUAN CASINO

Open 24/7 and just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, Sycuan Casino offers an array of exciting gaming activities, entertainment and delicious food. In addition to our 2,000-plus slots, we have a total of 63 table games, including blackjack, pai gow, and mini baccarat in addition to a 24-table non-smoking poker room. The 1,250-seat Bingo Palace provides traditional and video bingo. Sycuan’s Showcase Theatre features great shows and concerts in an intimate, up-close-and-personal venue. And customers have a choice of dining in our international buffet, Wachena Falls Café, Sunset Deli or Bingo Snack Bar.

The Sycuan Tribal Government operates the region’s premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, the Sycuan Casino and Sycuan Resort. Sycuan demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through its support of civic and charitable organizations. The Tribe also seeks to reinvest back into the San Diego community with a progressive business development effort. The Tribe also owns and operates Sycuan Ringside Promotions; the country’s first tribally owned boxing promotion company. Sycuan Funds is a publicly traded and professionally managed mutual fund. Combined, these enterprises now employ nearly 4,000 San Diegans.