A request for a $15,000 sponsorship of Showdown Boxing Productions was refused by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen at a special called meeting Thursday afternoon.

Showdown is promoting the “Guns Down, Gloves Up Pro Boxing” event, scheduled to take place at the Vicksburg Convention Center on April 4 at 7 p.m. Mayor Laurence Leyens said the city cannot give money to Showdown because it is not a nonprofit organization and the boxing match it’s promoting is a for-profit venture that is not free to the public.

“We can’t sponsor this event, but we would consider a sponsorship in the future if they do some of the programming they’ve talked about that’s free to the public,” said Leyens.

James Dixon, Showdown promoter, approached the board at a meeting on Feb. 17 to discuss youth boxing programs he hopes to bring to the city. He discussed with the board the possibility of holding boxing training and seminars at the Jackson Street Center.  

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman was not present at the meeting, leaving Leyens and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield to deny the request.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com