Steve Puterski
Stand up and take a bow, city of Fallon.
What was nearly was a disaster wound up being the best professional boxing show in the city’s history.
The Fallon Fights battled through sketchy conditions Friday for its best-ever showing at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
The rain came down about 30 minutes before showtime, scattering fans and upping the heartbeat of city and TV crews and boxing promoters. The precipitation, though, stopped before the first bell and about an hour later left a spectacular background in its wake.
Amid the orange and purple skies, this year’s edition of the Fallon Fights witnessed its best fights to date, yet mixed in with its worst. Despite the horrific first bout, fans were treated to skilled fighters and a national audience thanks to ESPN’s coverage with its “Friday Night Fights” series.
After the opening disaster, the show went on swimmingly as top-tier fighters put their skills on display. In addition, fans were treated to battle between Nevada rivals sporting their love for their respective hometowns.
Las Vegas’ Sergio Lopez entered the ring sporting his UNLV red, while Reno’s Oscar Vasquez came out with his Nevada blue, while his corner lead the pack with a Wolf Pack flag.
It was the most vocal fight for the fans, many of whom are friends and family of Vasquez, watching as the Reno native earned his fourth pro win at the Fallon Fights.
More than Vasquez’s fight, or the televised hoopla swirling around, the city of Fallon’s public works crew outdid themselves.
Dealing with a monster such as ESPN is no easy task, and hoping for a return visit isn’t a guarantee either. So, as they have done all throughout the Fallon Fights’ history, the city upped its game.
Constructing a vaulted tent above the ring, the city made sure weather would not have a significant impact … and it didn’t. In addition, leaving little work as possible for constructing the ring, power needs, lighting, amenities for fighters, seating, the city gave ESPN little reason not to return.
It’s how the game is played with the worldwide leader in sports. If you build it, they will come and hopefully return.
A sloppy run event spurns those giants. But, as every source and many of those attendance have said, ESPN left impressed.
Of course, the return of the event is less ESPN and more the boxing promoters, but they too, were thrilled with the event.
The fights were a dual promotion between Dynasty Boxing led by Dino Duva and Terry and Tommy Lane and DiBella Promotions.
There is no doubt Fallon and its dedication to the event deserves top-tier fights. Now, it should they have earned a place in the live TV rotation.
Of course, having the Lanes in the city’s corner only helps the cause, as the brothers have stated regularly this is their favorite show.
The work put in by the city and Lanes has paid off. Fallon showed it is more than capable of handling an event of this magnitude, which is no easy task.
Finally fans get bouts of skill, not part-time amateurs or bottom-of-the-barrel fighters looking for a quick paycheck. OK, maybe one fighter this year, but the rest have a real shot of lucrative career in the sport.
The city and Lanes have created its own monster in the Fallon Fights. Although the grandstands were half full, the newfound credibility leaves more room for growth and opportunity.
The opportunity awaiting is to create and host the best sporting event in Northern Nevada.
Fallon is on its way.
Steve Puterski is the sports editor for the Lahontan Valley News and can be contacted at sputerski@lahontanvalleynews.com.