Promoter, Convention Center
reach deal

Casal to headline first of many Buffalo cards

By Miguel Rodriguez
NEWS SPORTS REPORTER

Nick Casal obviously made a good first impression on Nick Garone the last time he fought in Buffalo, so it's understandable the Niagara Falls light welterweight wants to keep looking good for his new promoter.
Casal was among the five Western New York professional boxers who attended a news conference Thursday at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center to promote next month's "Road to Redemption" card at the facility. Casal will fight a still-to-be-determined opponent in the main event of the Nov. 6 seven-fight event at the Convention Center.

Yet, it turns out generating some early buzz for next month's event that will include unbeaten super featherweight Guillermo Sanchez of Buffalo along with former state Golden Gloves champions Lionell Thompson and Excell Holmes of Buffalo was just part of the reason for the media gathering. Garone also announced that his X-Cel Worldwide Promotions company and the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center have entered a three-year agreement to hold at least three boxing shows per year in the facility.

"In all the years I've been director here we've had other people talk to us about holding boxing here but Nick is the only one to have produced," said Paul Murphy, who is in his eighth year as director of the Convention Center. "It's a unique event that fits into times we have open dates. It makes sense. It's an exciting event for downtown."

"I'm excited about the long-term commitment," Garone said. "I think we've proven that we're not a fly-by-night organization. ... We are here to stay.

"You've got guys in the gym [in the area] every single day working hard with nowhere to go [and fight]. I think this provides a platform for them to showcase their talents."

It also provides Casal, Garone's new shiny toy, with his own home arena during the 23-year- old's quest to become a world-title contender.

Casal (19-4-1, 15 KOs) made himself at home in the facility last June when he pulverized overmatched Shad Howard in a three-round TKO victory on a card Garone promoted.

While the win was only Casal's fifth in his last 10 fights, he showed glimpses of the world- class talent that led to him being a coveted prospect coming out of the amateur ranks in 2004.
That's why Garone inked Casal to a multi-year deal last week. Garone's faith in his abilities is the reason Casal is determined not to disappoint the man who once managed former world-title contender Ross Thompson of Buffalo.

"We're excited about bringing him back to where we think he belongs," said Garone, who hopes to get Casal ranked in the top 15 in the world in 2010.

"I'm excited to have a guy that's got my back," said Casal, a former world amateur champion. "He said he's going to get me a title shot and I believe him."

The Nov. 6 spotlight also will be on Sanchez (10-0, 5 KOs) since it'll be the biggest night of the 21-year-old southpaw's career. The 2007 Empire State Games gold medallist will fight Jose Guzman (8-5-1, 5 KOs) of Queens for the state title. It'll be the first time Sanchez fights for a belt as a pro.

"He has to be a champion in New York before he has an opportunity to be the champion of the world," Sanchez's promoter Frank Santiago said.