Weigh-in July 7 in Kiener Plaza
Of the St. Louis American
Don King’s favorite phrase is “Only in America,” and he will only be in St. Louis when the nation celebrates its 230th birthday.
King will return to St. Louis on July 1 to promote the Cory Spinks vs. Roman Karmazan IBF junior Middleweight championship bout on July 8.
Look for King on the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robot float in the VP Fair Parade on July 1, and the master showman will continue with a series of appearances leading up to the bout.
Ticket sales to the “Gateway to Glory” showdown are brisk, according to Savvis Center General Manager and Senior Vice President Dennis Petrullo.
“Tickets are moving well, and there are plenty of good seats left,” he said.
Petrullo said that the fight’s weigh-in will be at 4 p.m. Friday July 7 in the open air of Kiener Plaza.
“The public is welcome to come and take part,” he said.
Petrullo said that Spinks “is totally focused” on the fight and his lone trip to St. Louis since he began training was for the press conference announcing the fight three weeks ago.
Spinks has not fought since February 2005, when he was hammered by Zab Judah at the Savvis.
“The last time I went through a lot of problems, and I had to lose too much weight,” Spinks says.
“I feel I will be faster and stronger at this weight (154 lbs). I am so happy to have this opportunity again in St. Louis. I feel like before, when I went into the ring and had fun. I feel the same energy now. On the night of the fight, I will shine, I will do so many new things.
“I will be so ready for this fight. I have been training very hard. This is not just for me; this is for the city of St. Louis. We will have a world champ back in our hometown.”
Karmazan said he is looking forward to his trip to St. Louis, but said Spinks’ career will be in jeopardy following the fight.
“Anybody that comes to this fight will not be disappointed. It will be a great fight and something to see,” said Karmazan.
“Cory Spinks is a good, tactical, quick fighter. But, he is making a big mistake in coming up in weight and choosing me as an opponent. He was better off where he was before.”
Devon Alexander, who is projected to be a contender for a world championship title in the future, will fight for the WBC Youth Welterweight Belt on the July 8 card. It will be his first fight since he broke his hand during a bout at The Spotlight in March.
“I am ready. Cory and me will take over St. Louis, like we always do,” Alexander said.
“It will be his first opportunity for a belt, and it will also be his first eight-round fight,” Petrullo said of Alexander “The Great.”
While bouts are subject to change, former unified world cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck is also scheduled to be on the Gateway to Glory card.
The Spinks vs. Karmazan main event will be broadcast live on Showtime at approximately 9 p.m. CDT.
Tickets are $500 (ringside), $300, $200, $100, $60, $45 and $25.
There is a $3 facility fee on all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Savvis Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply to all tickets purchased through Ticketmaster outlets, by phone or online.
Tickets are available at the Savvis Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at (314) 241-1888 for an automated line or (314) 421-4400 or (618) 222-2900 for a sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. For disabled seating, call (314) 622-5420.