WEDNESDAY, July 15th, 1998, AT 3:00 PM

The Case of the Missing Promoter or Has Johnny Come Home…Yet??

By Doug Dickey

Has anyone seen an individual by the name of Johnny Zarate around anywhere? You remember Johnny, he's the newest promoter in Tijuana Mexico that did the last successful IKF show in April 1998. That show proved to be a sell-out, featured an IKF world champion (Ivan Silva), a potential bout of the year between John Washington(Bakersfield, CA,USA) andJose Guardo ( Baja Mexico) everyone was paid and walked away towards hopes of a bright Mexican kickboxing future. This event was sanctioned by the IKF and as the American contingent learned quite a bit from the last Tijuana show that was almost a fiasco (December 15th, 1997 promoted by Gerry Salmon) , but was saved due to the diligence of IKF President Steve Fossum (Who physically kept the promoter and his associates at the venue in the ticket room until ALL the FIGHTERS got paid in full. Passing up getting paid himself of over $500.00 for expenses and IKF fees which to this day has not been paid yet. - See December's report on the event) Although there were some big problems, all the fighters & trainers walked away content.

Mr. Zarate (The latest Mexico Promoter) had big plans for his June 6th show. He was to feature Pedro "Pitbull" Fernandez, IKF World Champion Ivan Silva and others. The IKF was to sanction this show, but something seemed to happen to Zarate. Suddenly he couldn't produce any of the necessary sanctioning fees, deposits on belts, up-front money for the American and Mexican pro fighters (something Mr. Steve Fossum has found to be effective for his events in some Third-World countries) and a list of smaller details. As the IKF rep, I found it necessary to remove any sanctioning from this event, but as a trainer I kept IKF Light Heavyweight Champion Heath Harris in the show due to the fact that I had invested so much time and effort into it and just hoped for the best and the other American and Mexican trainers felt the same as well.

The American and Mexican Fighters were represented by myself, Miguel Reyes, Steve Rodarte, Marshal Hamil and James Bashum.We realize there was a major problem when we arrived at the hotel and they asked for a deposit. Zarate was promptly called and he promised to take care of everything (He came thought before right?). At the weight-in, none of any of the fighter's purses, expense money etc. was produced, but Johnny promised he would have it all and more before fight time. At this point, we'll shorten the story a bit. The bouts went off and provided to be entertaining and explosive. However, there was a little problem, there were maybe a hundred people in the audience. It seems Johnny didn't do his part promoting, oh well, he'll come through, he always did before...

At the conclusion of the show, Mr. Zarate was nowhere to be found, he disappeared as if he slipped out though a side door. All were left looking like idiots-the commission (why didn't they require the customary deposit as they have always previously?), the trainers, a president of a small sanctioning body from L.A., and the poor fighters. The guy just plain ran out. I have been a competitor in both pro boxing and kickboxing in Mexico since 1984 and this is the worst thing I have ever seen take place anywhere. I have been ripped off from El Paso to Redding and this just took the cake. Any inroads that Mexican kickboxing may have in the last year were dashed to pieces.

Needless to say, the fighters were not given their purses, the trainers their expense money and we had to cough up the money to get out of a very bad expensive resort that was supposed to have been a sponsor and everyone walked away with a very bad taste in their mouths about Mexico in general. Please don't think I am knocking Mexico in any way, the Mexican fans are the best in the world, this just happened to take place in a country where a foreigner's rights are always in question.

The Mexican commission has issued a type of judicial warrant for his arrest, but he has not been located to date. The whole conclusion of this sad episode is that Americans will not want to compete in Mexico again regardless of the sanctioning body and guarantees. This of course will kill professional kickboxing in Mexico as both countries need each other in order to have international level events. This story should be a reminder to trainers and fighters to follow your instincts in regards to dealing with a new promoter and to accept the sanction of a body such as the IKF because of their track record in maintaining certain guarantees towards the protection of the fighter and the integrity of the sport. The IKF has and will go to bat for a fighter. Steve, James, Miguel, Marshall, I'm sorry that we got involved with this guy. I take a bit of the responsibility because I trusted this guy and you guys trusted me. This sport is too small for this crap, I will not rest until this guy ( Zarate ) is brought to justice. That is my promise to you and the sport we love. Johnny, donde estas? Hay qente que quieren hablar contigo. (Johnny, where are you? There are people that want to talk to you). Has anyone seen Johnny lately, he needs to provide a few answers to many angry people.

Mr. Doug Dickey is the IKF Mexico Associate. He is also a fighter & well known trainer.

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