Luca returns to roots: promoting club fights

Back in April, Frank Luca took the kind of financial punch that would have ended most matchmakers' careers.

Luca's Crown Boxing promoted the Evander Holyfield-Frans Botha fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, a matchup of washed-up heavyweights. Holyfield was the only winner that night, scoring a ninth-round victory by technical knockout.

Luca? He was hemorrhaging red ink, losing nearly $800,000 on his venture, which drew a paltry paid crowd of 3,127 and had only 2,000 pay-per-view buys.

But after a four-month hiatus, Luca is back in Las Vegas. He is returning to putting on club fights but has switched venues from The Orleans to the Rio.

Crown's card Sept. 3 will feature former UNLV champion light heavyweight Henry Namauu, featherweight Rocco Santamauro and a women's bout between Crystal Hoy and Mandy LaPointe.

"I had to think about where I was going with this," Luca said. "I realized I have my niche, and this is where I want to stay. The Rio fits what I like to do, which is feature young, up-and-coming fighters in competitive bouts."

Crown also has cards planned for Oct. 22 and Dec. 3 at the Rio. Luca said he will continue to charge $25 general admission for his events, but his ringside prices have increased from $50 to $100.

"I got a great deal from the Rio," he said. "Had I stayed at The Orleans, my costs would have nearly doubled."

After each card, the Crown Theater at the Rio will be converted into a nightclub for ticket holders.

■ GAMBOA-SALIDO OFFICIALS -- The Nevada Athletic Commission has selected veteran Las Vegas referee Joe Cortez to work the Sept. 11 WBC-WBA world featherweight title fight between Yuriorkis Gamboa and Orlando Salido in the main event of Top Rank's card at the Palms. The judges will be Dick Houck, Robert Hoyle and Paul Smith, all of Las Vegas.

■ REMEMBERING DR. RYAN -- The boxing world is mourning the death of longtime plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan, who died Monday after injuries sustained in an automobile accident in California.

In a statement, Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya said of Ryan, 50: "After any fight in which I was cut or suffered an injury, Dr. Ryan was always there for me from the time I left the ring until I was fully healed, even going so far as to accompany me to the hospital following a fight, if necessary. He was an outstanding physician, a wonderful and charitable person as well as a good friend."

Promoter Gary Shaw also issued a statement on Ryan: "Frank's memory should not be about boxing, although he worked with my fighters. Frank should be remembered for his founding of The Bony Pony Ranch, and the great charitable work he did there for underprivileged children, as well as the work he did, pro bono, for former gang members, removing their old tattoos.

"But most of all, Frank should be remembered as a great friend, who always had a smile on his face and was always available to help."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.