Boxing in Reseda Is on the Ropes

RESEDA — Peter Broudy has thrown in the towel, but the final bell hasn’t tolled on boxing at the Reseda Country Club.

Not yet, anyway.

Broudy, a longtime Southern California boxing promoter who returned to the Country Club last fall after a three-year hiatus, has relocated to Las Vegas, where he will promote fights for BAM Promotions.

Broudy, who has staged bouts at the Country Club, Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles and Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills over the past decade, said turning a profit locally simply became too difficult.

“I’ve been thinking about this for two years,” Broudy said. “The money is not in California for boxing and I want to be in a place that is boxing’s capital. It’s a major-league sport in [Nevada]. I’m done with boxing in California.”

Not entirely, perhaps. Broudy said he is willing to serve as a consultant to Country Club general manager Mehdi Zamani, who is considering replacing Broudy as promoter. Zamani has leased the Country Club since April 1996 but has no experience as a promoter.

Broudy said he is willing to assist Zamani in staging bouts but would have no financial interest.

“To be very honest, I’m not sure about this,” Zamani said. “I have to consider everything. Now, everything will be on my shoulders and I’ve never done this.”

Still, Zamani, who described himself as a “silent partner” in several business endeavors, said there is a “good possibility” monthly boxing will resume at Reseda, possibly as soon as September.

Zamani said he will make a decision after meeting with Broudy next week in Las Vegas. He said he has been approached by at least one potential promoter but has declined.

“It’s not a matter of making a profit,” Zamani said. “I told Peter [I’d promote fights] even if I only break even. I don’t need the extra money. I just want to be faithful and honest to my customers.”

Should Zamani decide against entering the fight game, Broudy’s departure might allow Orange County promoter Roy Englebrecht to expand his role.

Englebrecht, fight promoter at the Irvine Marriott since 1992, in January bowed out of an agreement to stage shows at Warner Center Marriott because of Broudy’s presence in Reseda.

Englebrecht said he plans to contact Zamani and explore other venues in the Valley.

“I’d be interested in checking it out,” Englebrecht said. “If we can keep fighters busy, we can have them at the Marriott and in the Valley. If Mehdi doesn’t do anything, we might look at the Valley.”

Broudy’s last show at the Country Club was June 26. Broudy resumed staging shows at Reseda last November, moving his Celebrity Boxing company from Los Angeles to offices at the Country Club.

Under Broudy’s direction, the Country Club became a popular site for local boxing during the 1980s. The venue helped launch the careers of former world champions Michael Nunn, and Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas.