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Kentucky Tries To Land World-Class Professional Boxing And Wrestling

Kentucky born Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves are displayed in Washington D.C.
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History
Kentucky born Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves are displayed in Washington D.C.

Kentucky is making a new push to land professional boxing and wrestling events. Chairman of the reorganized Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission Chad Miller says he'd like to land a big event as early as this fall.

"I am an eternal optimist so I try to go big anytime I do anything."

Miller points to the great fighters to come out of Kentucky including Muhammad Ali. He says Northern Kentucky's BB & T Arena, Louisville's KFC Yum! Center and Lexington's Rupp Arena can all easily handle a large professional boxing, wrestling, or a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event.

He says, "We welcome any promoters that are out there or boxers or aspiring boxers or fighters in general. We just want to make sure everybody knows we want to get something going and really drive revenue and this becomes a focal point for Kentucky."

Additionally, Miller is looking into new legislation that would drive revenue through these sports and increase the safety for athletes.

 

 

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With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.