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Barclays Center Gaining Traction Over MSG As Top Destination For Boxing Events In N.Y.

There have been 1,528 boxing events in MSG's history, but the venue's hold on boxing in N.Y. "may be loosening," as Barclays Center is "mounting a strong effort to displace the Garden," according to Wallace Matthews of the N.Y. TIMES. While execs of both arenas "decline to call it a rivalry, that is what seems to be emerging." Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment CEO Brett Yormark, whose arena hosted a PBC event this weekend, said, "There’s no question we are the premier venue in the country for championship boxing, bar none. No one else is close." MSG Exec VP/Marquee Events & Operations Joel Fisher said he does not look at Barclays as "competition." Matthews noted Barclays since opening in '12 has "hosted 22 boxing events." Over the past 17 months, professional boxing in the city has "lived almost exclusively in Brooklyn; Barclays was the site of four major fight cards" in '16, and it has hosted four more in '17. In contrast, the Gennaday Golovkin-Daniel Jacobs bout in March was MSG's "first main-arena boxing show" since October '15. But more than sheer volume "distinguishes Barclays from the Garden." According to a number of boxing promoters, there is a "greater commitment these days to presenting boxing in Brooklyn." Lou DiBella, who promoted this weekend's fight at Barclays, said, "I’m not downing anyone at the Garden at all, but I think Barclays has a real dedication to the sport." By contrast, the current management of MSG "seems more inclined to stage events that are better guarantees of financial success, such as concerts." Asked if boxing was still an important franchise for MSG, Fisher said, “Our commitment is as strong as it always was and always will be.” However, he added, “We’re not going to do boxing just to do boxing or to say we had boxing" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/22).

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