Why go Mexico? – Assassin Boxing explain thinking behind Tijuana fights

More and more Irish fighters could be taking a trip down Mexico way as Assassin Promotions cement a positive fight relationship with the country.

Throughout 2018 a number of Irish punchers have made the trip to Tijuana and added wins to the record at el Rancho Grande Bar. 

17-year-old Cork lightweight James Power was the latest to trade leather south of the American border – mainly due to his ineligibility to fight in Ireland at present due to his age – while it has also been Viva México for the likes of JJ McDonagh and Vladimir Belujsky especially who has fought there thrice.

Now after a bit of test period, the Mexican experiment has turned into a viable accompaniment to fighting at home and four Irish boxers – Power, Dylan Moran, Matthew Fitzsimons, and Belujsky – will trade leather at the Rancho Grande on November 3rd.

Assassin, who have close to 20 Irish fighters on their books, are not trying to build a star in Mexico on the small hall bills but rather see the country as a great – and cheaper – place for their fighters to experience fighting on the road.

Indeed, as will occur with Belujsky and Moran next month, the step up to eight rounds and Irish title eligibility, which has long been an expensive step in Ireland and part of the reason behind the introduction of the BUI Celtic title, is much easier to navigate in Tijuana

For the fighters themselves, while still requiring to raise some funds, they are afforded a bit of a break from the pressures of having to sell tickets.

It’s not quite into the heat, out of the spotlight, but it does mean they can increase their record and gain experience while not having to go to the fan well.

While the opposition, thus far, has been rather weak, the events themselves garner good attendances and it would seem to be more glamorous than doing similar on a small hall show in England.

However, perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the trips for the fighters is visiting Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym before the fights.

Assassin’s Conor Slater certainly claims it’s something the promotional company will look to explore further.

“It’s a great experience for the lads. Totally different environment to fight in, and some of the lads haven’t travelled much. It’s a great experience both in life and for their boxing, if they’ve to take fights abroad in the future they’ll be more use to it,” Slater told Irish-Boxing.com.

“The lads see the real benefit from the fights, it’s a chance to impress and improve,” he added before going into the financial side of things.

Slater outlined how “from a business point of view, it’s a chance to take a break from having to graft to sell tickets and the lads pick up sponsorship towards the cost of the trip.”

“It’s a lot easier when you say ‘I’m looking for sponsorship to go on a trip to box in Mexico and train at the Wild Card’, than ‘I’m looking for sponsorship for my fight against an Eastern European opponent in Dublin’.”

“It helps builds the profile of yourself and in turn will help your ticket sales in future but, most importantly, you get a fight date, something to train towards, and at the end of the camp a fight against a guy who’s coming to beat you and, if you’re successful, you’ll get another win on your record.”

Flying into Los Angeles, fighters get the chance to visit, train, and spar in one of boxing’s most famous gyms – an experience perhaps of greater benefit than bumping up one’s record by one.

“The trip is great because they fly into LA, go down to the Wild Card Gym. When Vlad was out there for 3 weeks, he sparred [WBO champion, Gilberto] Ramirez and the like.”

Slater also believes the mini Irish invasion is also a positive for the watching crowd and in turn the show’s promoter Gabriel Quinones who they have struck a relationship up with.

“The lads are received immensely out there,” he continued.

“The Mexican crowds are brilliant. They appreciate good boxing, and love great fights. They take particular note of the pale white guys that come into some questionable ring music too.”

“It’s something different for them too, different style. The lads play up to it, subconsciously they want to put on a great show for the paying crowd.”