September 11-17, 2003

mixpicks

Law Enforcement Fight Night

by Ainé Ardron-Doley

The Legendary Blue Horizon stands tall on the other side of Broad Street, far from the giant money-making glass dome of the Kimmel Center and the Avenue of the Arts. Yes, this is the other Avenue of the Arts -- North Broad Street, the side more often marred by vacant lots, trash and blight. The building, born in 1865 as three separate private homes of the nouveau riche, became a social hall in the 1960s. But it was in November 1961 that it made its mark as a boxing venue, holding its first amateur fight. Not long after, it would host Golden Gloves bouts, land in the spotlight on the networks with USA's Tuesday Night Fights and ESPN2's Friday Night Fights. Hollywood wasn't far behind as the big lights flooded the ring for the filming of the notoriously B movie-ish Rocky V. Boasting more than 30 world-champion alumni, including Bernard Hopkins, the Blue landed the coveted title of "No. 1 Boxing Venue in the World" by the fans in The Ring magazine in 1999. Old Faithful had beaten out the Atlantic City Convention Center, Caesar's Palace, the MGM Grand and Madison Square Garden. And along came a lady -- Ms. Vernoca Michael, femme promoting queen and the first African-American woman promoter in the nation -- on a mission to resurrect big Blue's boxing glory with regular bouts. There's a new digital marquee and freshly painted blue doors gracing the façade of the 137-year-old auditorium. And what better way to reintroduce the Blue to Philly than with its First Annual Law Enforcement Fight Night. In conjunction with the Fraternal Order of Police, it's a special bout with Officer Tyrone Winckler. No billy clubs, cuffs or doughnuts allowed.

Law Enforcement Fight Night, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., $38-$60, Blue Horizon, 1314 N. Broad St., 215-763-0500, www.legendarybluehorizon.com.

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