Pride of Pittsburgh II Recap

World-famous, legendary former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson's Iron Mike Productions has been attempting to build a boxing market and fan base in Pittsburgh, PA. for the last couple of years. This has mainly included local welterweight Sammy Vasquez Jr, from Monessen, PA headlining fight cards with other little-known local talents littered throughout the card. Building a boxing market in untapped markets is important not only for promoters like Iron Mike Productions trying to build a name in the sport, but its also important for boxing as a whole. Many mainstream sports journalists like to proclaim boxing a niche sport, or more bluntly "dead." And although fighters are making more money than ever before, and fans are still selling out arenas nationwide, it is also true that the major sports hold a much bigger piece of the pie in terms of economic value and viewership numbers. That's why when different promotional companies try to build markets in new regions, I always view it as a positive thing, especially when its right here at home for me in Pittsburgh.

On Friday Iron Mike Productions presented The Pride of Pittsburgh II to the Consol Energy Center in downtown Pittsburgh. This weekend's card not only offered another Sammy Vasquez Jr. fight as the Main-Event, but held a Rod Salka vs Monty Meza Clay lightweight bout that was sure to excite fans, and it didn't dissapoint. Salka, a local fighter from Bunola, PA. and Meza Clay, from Rankin PA. fought a bloody, exciting 10 round fight that left both fighters cut. Bother fighters were bloody and battered come fight's end, a fight in which Salka outboxed Meza Clay with counter punches all night. Both fighters had their moments, but Salka was clearly the victor in an exciting fight that riled up the crowd. By the time the Main Event rolled around, fans were ready for more intense action which is what Sammy Jasquez Jr. delivered, scoring a first round knockout over Panamanian welterweight Alberto Mosquera. Overall, this was a very successful night for Iron Mike Productions, and hopefully fans can look forward to more exciting boxing cards in Pittsburgh.

(Photo Credit: http://www.consolenergycenter.com/events/detail/the-pride-of-pittsburgh-2)