Arum: Despite drug violence, Tijuana ‘a very safe place’

By Andy Samuelson

Friday, March 13, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Lacking the U.S. Department of State’s ringing endorsement for his upcoming boxing event in Tijuana, Mexico, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum decided to take matters in his own hands this week — declaring the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California as “a very safe place.”

“There has been an extraordinary amount of violence in Juarez, we know that. I wouldn’t look to go Juarez itself,” Arum said during a media teleconference of the Mexican city across the border from El Paso, Texas. He sought to promote the March 28 “Latin Fury 8 – Tijuana Thunder” card and clarify safety issues concerning the escalating violence involving the Mexican drug trade.

“But in Tijuana there has been an absence of violence. It’s wrong for the State Department to paint all of Mexico with a broad brush.”

Arum along with Baja California Secretary of Tourism Oscar Escobedo and Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos tried their best to persuade journalists on the call that boxing fans and tourists alike are safe despite an account from the San Diego Union-Tribune that stated: “Tijuana marked its bloodiest year in 2008, with 843 killings, more than twice 2007's total of 337.”

“I want to assure you that Tijuana and Baja California is a safe place,” said Escobedo, who himself lost a nephew to the violence.

“I live in Tijuana. My kids live in Tijuana. We don’t have security. It’s a safe state, a safe city. Terrible incidents happen all over the world … As far as tourism is concerned, it’s very safe.”

But a U.S. travel alert for Mexico issued on Feb. 20 doesn’t paint as rosy a picture:

“Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent conflict — both among themselves and with Mexican security services — for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. In order to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.”

“Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades. Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but most recently in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez.”

For those prize-fighting purists who are willing to brave the 15-minute drive across the border to the 22,000-seat Plaza de Toros Monumental bull ring, the reward is a stacked show featuring five of Mexico’s biggest names — highlighted by a main event of undefeated boxers, including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (38-0-1, 29 KOs), of Culiacan, Mexico and son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, facing Luciano Cuello (23-0, 9 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto, WBO junior bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo, and top-rated junior flyweight contender Giovanni Segura comprise the rest of the card that Arum said, “From top to bottom, this is the greatest Mexican boxing event ever and I’m proud to be promoting it.”

Probably even more important is his endorsement for “TJ,” which Arum compared to his home base of Las Vegas.

“You have crime in New York, you have crime in Las Vegas. Look how many people get killed in Las Vegas, which are drug-related crimes. But that doesn’t mean people should stay away from Las Vegas,” Arum said. “Because you and I know that the tourists that come there are perfectly 100-percent safe. That’s the point in Tijuana.

“There will always be drug-related violence. But tourism, the normal person who goes who wants to have a good time, wants to see boxing, wants to eat well, is going to be completely undisturbed. Just the way people who come to Las Vegas, tourists are undisturbed.”

Must See TV: HBO’s highly-acclaimed “24/7” series is back with Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7, a four-episode, all-access show highlighting the two boxers’ training regiment and life outside of the ring as the pair prepares for their May 2 megabout at the MGM Grand.

“This latest edition of ‘24/7’ features two of the most talented and personable fighters in boxing today, and we look forward to bringing their compelling storylines and personalities to our subscribers in what promises to be engaging television,” Ross Greenburg, President of HBO Sports said of the show that debuts on April 11, before Winky Wright and Paul Williams’ bout at Mandalay Bay.

“The trainers Floyd Sr. and Freddie Roach will likely add fireworks to the series. This fight is sure to generate a lot of excitement and energy worldwide, and we hope to capture those dramatic moments.”

Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole agrees with Greenburg, saying he’s excited to see which trainer has the most impact on the fight. … While Hatton believes he is gonna be the stronger fighter at the MGM … Pacquiao is staying busy while trying to balance boxing and family life.

Back on: The rematch between IBF light heavyweight Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs) and Antonio Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs) has changed dates and locations.

Dawson-Tarver II is scheduled for May 9 at The Joint at the Hard Rock. The bout was originally slated for March 14 at The Pearl at The Palms, but had to be postponed after Dawson, who dominated the majority of his unanimous decision victory over Tarver last fall, hurt his right hand in training camp.

Ringside and beyond: Middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik next title defense will come against Sergio Mora this summer. … Veteran Marco Antonio Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) says he’s not Amir Khan’s “stepping stone.” … Mayweather Sr. says it's only a matter of time before his son and former pound-for-pound champ, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is back in the game.

Andy Samuelson can be reached at [email protected] or 702-948-7837.