Deal Is Near That Would Move Several Forum Bouts to Pond

Forum Boxing Inc. is close to signing a deal with The Pond that would move six to eight of its regular Monday night fights to The Pond, according to sources on both sides of the talks. Sources said the first fight of the series would probably be in February and would likely feature a marquee fighter.

Attendance at the Forum’s Monday night cards has been slightly more than 3,000, which is significantly down from the Forum’s crowds of five years ago. Forum Boxing promoted a card last March at The Pond that included four world champions and three world title bouts.

The show drew about 12,000 fans and was shown on pay-per-view television. The Forum is figuring Orange County is one of the few markets supporting boxing these days.

That theory is supported by the success of the Irvine Marriott shows, which have been going for 11 years, longer than any club show in the country. Roy Englebrecht, who promotes the Marriott fights, said this year has been the show’s biggest in terms of gross revenue.

Englebrecht said he is up 25% in attendance and gate receipts over the last two years and said his September show was equal to the Forum’s September shows in terms of gate receipts. Englebrecht said he already has 12 dates confirmed for next season at the Marriott.

The Forum shows are televised by Prime Sports and The Pond shows would be part of that package.