Main Eventer

Kathy Duva’s promotional company has enjoyed a glorious past. Here, she explains to Chris Walker why she is determined to ensure that the future is just as bright

- Chris Walker

THE rain refuses to leave New York alone. There is shelter in The Stewart Hotel, formerly The Affinia, and the halls of residence here have been temporary accommodation to the ghosts of Madison Square Garden that is just metres across Seventh Avenue. Glances around the reception area today reveal multiple fight figures in deep conversation, perhaps exchanging stories of yesteryear when the “Mecca of Boxing” housed the sport far more frequently. Kathy Duva, the president of promotional company Main Events, knows that era only too well. But for now, as she greets me by the building’s spinning doors, she’s preocuppied with the future, specifically Sergey Kovalev’s comeback bout against Igor Mikhalkin.

“Shall we find some where more quiet and comfortable?” she asks, leading me up a small staircase and away from a lobby that is filled with schoolchildren preparing for a junior basketball tournament across the street. Duva lets out a long sigh as we escape the noise, yet it’s clear the pressures of promoting tomorrow night’s show remain.

We’re interrupted almost immediately by a gentleman who tells Kathy that some Russians want to speak with her, but she kindly asks him to come back in a while.

Duva is more than accustomed to the unpredictability that fight week throws up, but I’m interested to hear what motivates the 65-year-old to continue with this unforgiving trade.

The widow of Dan Duva, a leading promotional brain throughout the 80s and until his death in 1996, Kathy is on a mission to continue her husband’s shining work.

Dan famously created a host of stars, most notably the bulk of the decorated 1984 USA Olympic team that included Pernell Whittaker and Evander Holyfield. Several references to Dan’s monumental success in the sport bring smiles to Kathy’s face.