By Steve Kim
Even with the untimely passing of it's leader, Dan Goossen, Goossen Promotions is moving forward. They are staging a card on November 20th at the familiar haunts of the Sportsmen Lodge in Studio City and on December 11th from the Pechanga Resort and Casino they will have a card that will be televised on ESPN2 as a tribute to Goossen - who passed away from complications from liver cancer in late September at the age of 64. The December card will feature the likes of Austin Trout, Antonio Tarver and Chris Arreola, among others.
"We're looking forward," said it's matchmaker, Tom Brown, on Friday morning to BoxingScene.com."We're working with Brian Kweder (ESPN's Sr. Director of Programming and Acquisitions) on ESPN dates. We just closed one of the dates for 2015 and it's just business as usual."
The card that Brown speaks off will take place on March 6th from the Little Creek Casino Resort in the Shelton, Washington.
In the immediate aftermath of Goossen's death, there was much speculation surrounding the future of this company, which truly is a family business.
Brown, who just happened to be Goossen's brother-in-law explained - "the days leading up to it with Dan, he expressed that we better move on."
Brown added - "he gave us all great pep talks and you know Dan, he energized us all and told us we were prepared, ready and could do things, go out and get it done."
On Friday, Goossen Promotions scored a victory with Malik Scott's decision over Alex Leapai in Australia. Scott dedicated the victory to his long-time promoter.
"This one was for Dan, I was inspired throughout my training to win this fight for him."
On Saturday night their young welterweight prospect, Javier Molina (15-1, 7 KO's) fights in Mexico City.
As for their on-going litigation with Andre Ward, Brown stated - "I'd rather not comment on that, right now."
So life goes on as does Goossen Promotions. But that' doesn't mean it's been easy for those intimately involved.
"Damn near impossible," admitted Brown. "I mean it's very difficult and you do it with a heavy heart because you miss him so much, too. You drive in and you go by his parking spot and his office, it's not easy. It's difficult."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com
ADD COMMENT