|
 I was asked to come out to Hilo, and have a short sit down interview with Reach Promotions owner Chuck Grace. There have been lots of rumours floating around the media with Reach having decided to merge into Blitz Down Under, and it seems Mr. Grace wants to set the record striaght. So here I find myself in his plush office with an expansive view of a beautiful beach, and the Pacific.
Despite his reputation as a bit of a joker he's all business when it comes to Reach. I decide to begin our interview.
Interviewer - "So Mr. Grace I guess we can being."
Chuck - "Yea. Well as you know I asked you here today so I can clear up some confusion regarding this merger."
Interviewer - "Ok that's understandable. So how did this all come together?"
Chuck - "Well I'd like to start a little farther back then the initial merger talks. Before we get into that I wanted to just to, first off, thank anyone who has any part of making Reach what it is today. From the janitor who mopped up the cage post fight, to the fighters, and their management staff. I am truly grateful to each of you, and I hope they all understand this merger is what I felt was in everyones best interest."
Interviewer - "Sounds like you have decided to merge with a somewhat heavy heart."
Chuck - "Yea. That's a very true statement. I have owned Reach, in one form or another, for going on two years now. I have invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this company. It's going to be weird reporting to work for Louie down in Sydney that's for sure! But we both have the same idea in mind for this new company we are forming so I think this is a very exciting time for everyone involved."
Interviewer - "Is it true you recently purchased a fully loaded private jet for yourself?"
Chuck - "No. The jet isn't for me. I bought that jet so all the Reach fighters who choose to stay in Hilo for their training won't have to worry about paying enormous fees to travel back and forth when they fight. The jet is here for their use and I hope it eases their minds about chosing to follow me in this new venture."
Interviewer - "So, then, what finally made you decide to go forward with this merger?"
Chuck - "Well simply put it boiled down to inablility to provide the top of the food chain fighters for my current roster. Reach has grown in leaps and bounds since I started it, and we have found ourselves in a position where the fighters available to compete against our level of fighters are few and far between. Short of booking non-stop super fights the only way to ensure top talent was through a merger."
Interviewer - "Why didn't you ask BDU to merge into Reach?"
Chuck - "Louie and I discussed it, but ultimately decided that it made more sense for Reach to merge into BDU. There's some very sound reasons behind that choice, but I'm not at liberty to discuss them at this time."
Interviewer - "Fair enough. So here we are, and we find ourselves with only two events remaining in Reachs fine history. How do you feel when you think about that?"
Chuck - "Well I did feel sad. I'm not above admitting that. However, that sadness is slowly being replaced by excitement. Louie and I have more then a few things up our sleeves that the MMA world will see in the coming months. I hope everyone decides to come along for the ride, and for those who do I promise you there's no way you will regret it!"
Interviewer - "Well you certainly have me very intrigued, and looking forward to seeing what you guys have planned. Before we end things here let's take a quick minute to check the history of Reach."
Holds 2 of the Top 10 attended events in Hilo History with Reach 74 and Reach 88
Holds 3 of the Top 10 fighter pay events in Hilo history, and also holds the highest fighter paid event in Hilo
Holds 7 of the Top 10 ticket revenue events in Hilo history, and also holds the highest event revenue in Hilo
Holds 4 of the Top 10 rated events in Hilo history
Fifth in all time events held for a Hilo fight org
Fifth in all time fight offers in Hilo
Second in all time PPV sales in Hilo
Survival of the Sickest was the largest event in company history with a rating of 499.8, attendance of 83,741, income of $1,743,656, and 40,599 PPVs sold
All in all I'd say that was one heck of a run Reach had, and I'd like to thank Mr. Grace and his staff for all the great events they've held over the years. Well Reach will truly be missed I am excited for his new venture with Louie and the BDU boys. I know it will be something great.
Article views:
278
» Donate to this author |
