The Petersen Events Center has gained national recognition as one of the up-and-coming college basketball arenas in the country.
Now, The Pete is getting ready to rumble.
At a 3 p.m. news conference today, the Petersen Events Center will be announced as the host to the Paul Spadafora-Leonard Dorin lightweight unification bout May 17 on HBO.
"We're very excited about it," said SMG's Scott Michaels, general manager of the Petersen Events Center. "Boxing is something we wanted to revisit. The venue is really well-suited for boxing from a fan standpoint."
The Pete has played host to a handful of concerts, as well as an academic competition, but the prizefight is the first non-basketball sporting event for the new, $100 million arena located on the Pitt campus. Capacity seating is 12,508, and all seats are angled for floor-level viewing.
"If it's successful, it could become something of an annuity for the university to do here," Michaels said. "They want to make this an 'event center,' not just a basketball arena. It's a new endeavor for them."
Spadafora (36-0), the International Boxing Federation champion from McKees Rocks, is making his sixth title defense within city limits. He has fought twice at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and once each at the I.C. Light Amphitheatre, Mellon Arena and Palumbo Center.
The Pete was chosen over Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va., and the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
Dorin (21-0), the World Boxing Association champion, has a lucrative promotional deal with GoldenPalace.com that prevents him from fighting in casinos.
Michaels said the arena will add increased security, and believes that a successful event could lure future boxing cards to the Petersen Events Center.
