There was plenty of head-scratching when the executives of Barclays Center announced boxing would be part of its regular programming once the arena opened in 2012. Fast forward six years later and heads are nodding in approval as Barclays Center has established itself as one of the top boxing venues in the country, if not the world.
The arena will host its 30th boxing show Sept. 8 with another solid card headlined by Danny “Swift” Garcia of Philadelphia facing Shawn “Showtime” Porter of Akron, Ohio, for the WBC welterweight championship. Showtime will televise.
Garcia, who held the WBC belt before losing to Keith Thurman, fought on the first boxing card at Barclays Center when he knocked out Mexican legend Erik Morales on Oct. 3, 2012, for the WBA/WBC super lightweight title. This will be Garcia’s seventh fight at Barclays and the fifth for Porter (28-2-1, 17 KOs), the former IBF welterweight champion.
“If feels great to headline the 30th fight night at Barclays Center after also opening the building,” Garcia (34-1, 20 KOs) said. “Barclays Center is the best thing to happen to boxing in a long time. It’s a blessing to fight somewhere with that atmosphere.”
Madison Square Garden has a history in boxing that can never be matched and features a big night of boxing here and there. But it also has the Knicks and Rangers and a full concert schedule. With the Islanders leaving Brooklyn and the Nets rebuilding, Barclays has used boxing to fill dates and develop a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. A crowd in excess of 13,000 is expected for Garcia-Porter, one of the best welterweight match-ups than could be made.
Brett Yormark, the CEO of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, has been at the center of the growth. “It’s been a great run,” Yormark said. “In many ways we brought an awareness of boxing back into the market place. We’ve been relatively consistent in our programming. As the Islanders start shifting back to the Coliseum, it offers an opportunity to further build our boxing franchise and that’s what we’re going to do.”
An alliance with Premier Boxing Champions, which is extending its alliance with Showtime has helped keep Barclays Center busy. Philadelphia legend Bernard Hopkins captured the IBF light heavyweight title on the second card at Barclays, while Garcia successfully defended his title against Brooklyn native Zab Judah in the third event. Since then champions such as Paulie Malignaggi, Adrien Broner, Amir Khan, Miguel Cotto, Daniel Jacobs, Deontay Wilder, Thurman, Carl Frampton, Mikey Garcia and Errol Spence Jr. have all fought at Barclays, creating their own fan base.
“I don’t think anyone had any idea when Barclay Center opened in October 2012 they would have the kind of impact on the sport of boxing that they have had,” said Stephen Espinosa, president of Showtime Sports. “In a few short years, they’ve become the most active boxing venue in Northern America from mid-level cards to the huge event. You have to applaud their commitment to the sport.”
New York-based promoter Lou DiBella has promoted a number of cards at Barclays Center, including next Saturday’s welterweight showdown.
“When you have a fight like we have on Sept. 8 like the Garcia-Porter card, where the tickets are selling briskly, it shows we have a dedicated fan base and a reputation that you’re not only going to get a great main event, but a loaded undercard with New York talent,” DiBella said.
Here are my top five Barclays fights:
- March 9, 2013: Bernard Hopkins dethrones Tavoris Cloud for the IBF Light Heavyweight title.
- Dec. 7, 2013: Pauli Malignaggi defeats Zab Judah in the Battle for Brooklyn.
- June 14, 2014: Chris Algieri upsets Ruslan Provodnikov for the WBO Junior Welterweight Championship
- March 4, 2017: Keith Thurman wins split decision over Danny Garcia to unify welterweight titles.
- March 3, 2017: Deontay Wilder knocks out Luis Ortiz to retain WBC heavyweight championship.