:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54714593/645385148.0.jpg)
Real Deal Sports & Entertainment, a new promotional venture started alongside longtime promoter Sal Musumeci, is beginning to fill crucial positions within the company as they prepare to put on their first card this summer.
The company has just hired Eric Bentley as their Chief Operating Officer as of yesterday, as reported by ESPN. Bentley assumes this position after resigning from his post at the New York State Athletic Commission where he was employed as the director of boxing and event coordinator. He had also previously worked as a matchmaker with Musumeci’s Final Forum Boxing and DiBella Entertainment.
"I am extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to oversee this company for Evander and Sal," Bentley said. "I see unlimited potential for Real Deal Sports & Entertainment. After our initial conversation, it became an easy decision for me to leave my position at NYSAC and join the team. Evander's main goal is to provide today's fighters with the opportunities and knowledge he didn't have at the outset of his career, which is a conviction this sport desperately needs and of which I'm proud to be a part.”
Bentley went on to mention that in the next few weeks they’ll be filling other positions within the company as well as announcing key partnerships that will “revolutionize the sport of boxing.” That’s a claim we hear from almost every new promotional venture but seldom, if ever, see.
In building the company, Real Deal Sports & Entertainment has also recently signed three fighters to its stable: 24-year-old middleweight Jeyson Minda (13-0-1, 8 KOs) from Ecuador; 30-year-old middleweight Devaun Lee (7-2-1, 3 KOs) from Queens, New York; and 26-year-old welterweight Peter Dobson (8-0, 5 KOs) from Bronx, New York.
"We are excited to announce the signing of these future stars," Bentley said. "I am very proud to have them join our team and anticipate our roster growing with many more rising prospects searching for the right outlet to successfully guide their careers.”
"Real Deal Championship Boxing," the new series for the company, is expected televise monthly cards on CBS Sports Network, with an announcement for the first card anticipated to come sometime within the next week.