Soon to be Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield is throwing his hat in the promotional ring with Real Deal Promotions. It remains to be seen if Real Deal Promotions will have more sticking power than some other ex-fighter’s promotional ventures, i.e. Iron Mike Promotions, but for now he and his team have announced a plan to air monthly fight cards on CBS Sports Network.
Holyfield has reportedly partnered with two established industry minds to make this work. Sal Musumeci, who has the established TV relationship with CBS Sports Network, will be co-owner and CEO while longtime NY State athletic commission member Eric Bentley will serve as COO. This is a good, established pair of fight industry minds who should be able to maintain a small promotional company. Whether or not they can use Holyfield as a spokesperson to grow it into a bigger entity remains to be seen. History shows that the company is much more likely to fold in the next couple of years than to grow, but if Holyfield is half as tenacious in business as he was in the ring they just might have a fighting chance.
As of now the Real Deal stable includes a couple known journeyman and a few more unknown, very early in their career prospects. Of course they will sign more fighters over time. Holyfield himself, now 54, has thankfully not talked about fighting at all since his last fight in 2011. He will be inducted into the International Boxing hall of Fame June 11th in Canastota, NY.
There is no word on exactly when the CBS Sports Network fight series will begin as of yet.
My name is Nate Petty and I’m a boxer from Louisville Kentucky and I would like to fight for Real Deal Promotions, call me at 502-224-7830 thanks!!!