Lou DiBella
Encyclopedia
Louis John DiBella, Jr. (b. 17 May in Brooklyn, New York) is a boxing promoter and television/film producer. He is Founder and CEO of DiBella Entertainment based in New York City. Past and present boxers represented by DiBella Entertainment include current WBC Middleweight champion Sergio Gabriel Martinez
, former middleweight world champions Jermain Taylor
and Bernard Hopkins
, former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi and WBC Welterweight champion Andre Berto
.
Baseball AA Eastern League affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels
, formerly the Connecticut Defenders
. The Flying Squirrels home field is in The Diamond (Richmond, Virginia). The team is one of the most successful in Minor League baseball. The Flying Squirrels lead the Eastern League in attendance and surpass all minor league teams in the country in merchandise sales.
In 2005, hip hop mogul, Damon Dash and Dibella announced the formation of Dash/Dibella Promotions, a full service promotional company with an emphasis on promoting and marketing minority athletes. The first athlete signed was Andre Berto. The relationship dissolved eventually after Berto was propelled into the professional arena of boxing. Berto continues to be promoted by DBE.
DiBella Entertainment created a rebirth for boxing in New York City with Lou's popular "Broadway Boxing" series, which takes place in Manhattan on Broadway Ave. It is the longest running and most successful boxing series in NYC. The concept around the shows features upcoming fighters and promising contenders in an intimate venue with reasonable ticket prices.
. Scenes of the packed arena during his Taylor vs. Hopkins II fight are used in the film during Rocky's fight scene.
In 2008, DiBella added the credit of Executive Producer to his list of accomplishments with the 2009 film Love Ranch
starring Academy Award winners Helen Mirren
and Joe Pesci
. The film was directed by Academy Award Winner Taylor Hackford. In 2010, DiBella was credited as Associate Producer of the critically claimed film The Fighter
starring Mark Wahlberg
and Christian Bale
. The story is based on the early life of Micky Ward
, DiBella served as advisor to Ward up until the New England fighter retired from boxing in 2008 http://www.eastsideboxing.com/boxing-news/dbe1108.php.
, the new middleweight champion.
Sergio Gabriel Martínez
Sergio Gabriel Martínez is an Argentine professional boxer and the current The Ring middleweight champion....
, former middleweight world champions Jermain Taylor
Jermain Taylor
Jermain Taylor is an American professional boxer and former undisputed middleweight champion. He made his professional boxing debut in 2001 and won his first 25 bouts, which included victories over former champions Raúl Márquez and William Joppy...
and Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins Jr, known as The Executioner is an American boxer and the current Ring Magazine and WBC light heavyweight champion...
, former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi and WBC Welterweight champion Andre Berto
Andre Berto
Andre Michael Berto is a Haitian-American professional boxer. On June 21, 2008, Berto became the WBC welterweight champion by defeating Miguel Rodriguez by seventh round technical knockout. He lost his WBC welterweight title on April 16, 2011 to Victor Ortiz via unanimous decision...
.
Education and Career
DiBella is a graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School. He was head of programming for HBO Sports for more than 10 years http://www.maxboxing.com/news/promo-lead/lou-dibellas-just-getting-started. He created and orchestrated the highly successful series, "Boxing After Dark." HBO experienced enormous success under his guidance with some of the most high-profile matches in boxing history. He then founded his own promotional firm, DiBella Entertainment, creating a company that shifts the balance of power from promoters to boxers. He also owns the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
Baseball AA Eastern League affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels
Richmond Flying Squirrels
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a minor league baseball team in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond...
, formerly the Connecticut Defenders
Connecticut Defenders
The Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
. The Flying Squirrels home field is in The Diamond (Richmond, Virginia). The team is one of the most successful in Minor League baseball. The Flying Squirrels lead the Eastern League in attendance and surpass all minor league teams in the country in merchandise sales.
In 2005, hip hop mogul, Damon Dash and Dibella announced the formation of Dash/Dibella Promotions, a full service promotional company with an emphasis on promoting and marketing minority athletes. The first athlete signed was Andre Berto. The relationship dissolved eventually after Berto was propelled into the professional arena of boxing. Berto continues to be promoted by DBE.
DiBella Entertainment created a rebirth for boxing in New York City with Lou's popular "Broadway Boxing" series, which takes place in Manhattan on Broadway Ave. It is the longest running and most successful boxing series in NYC. The concept around the shows features upcoming fighters and promising contenders in an intimate venue with reasonable ticket prices.
Acting
In 2006, DiBella made his acting debut playing himself as a boxing promoter in Rocky BalboaRocky Balboa (film)
Rocky Balboa is the sixth and final film in the Rocky franchise, directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film, which was also written by Stallone who plays underdog boxer Rocky Balboa, is the sixth film in the Rocky series that began with the Academy Award-winning Rocky thirty years...
. Scenes of the packed arena during his Taylor vs. Hopkins II fight are used in the film during Rocky's fight scene.
Producer
DiBella expanded his boxing empire producing television content and films. In 2007, DiBella produced the documentary, "Magic Man," which depicted the life of Paulie Malignaggi and his rise in the world of boxing. The documentary had its television premiere on Showtime and was later aired in the United Kingdom leading up to the Malignaggi vs. Lovemore Ndou fight, where Malignaggi retained his title.In 2008, DiBella added the credit of Executive Producer to his list of accomplishments with the 2009 film Love Ranch
Love Ranch
Love Ranch is a 2010 drama film directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci.-Background:The film is based on the lives of Joe and Sally Conforte, a married couple who opened the first legal brothel in the United States, the Mustang Ranch in Storey County, Nevada. Violence...
starring Academy Award winners Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren, DBE is an English actor. She has won an Academy Award for Best Actress, four SAG Awards, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards, and two Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Awards.-Early life and family:...
and Joe Pesci
Joe Pesci
Joseph Frank "Joe" Pesci is an American actor, comedian, and musician.He is known for playing a variety of different roles, from violent mobsters to comedic leads to quirky sidekicks...
. The film was directed by Academy Award Winner Taylor Hackford. In 2010, DiBella was credited as Associate Producer of the critically claimed film The Fighter
The Fighter
The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. The film centers on the life of professional boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his older half-brother Dicky Eklund . The film also stars Amy Adams as...
starring Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
and Christian Bale
Christian Bale
Christian Charles Philip Bale is an English actor. Best known for his roles in American films, Bale has starred in both big budget Hollywood films and the smaller projects from independent producers and art houses....
. The story is based on the early life of Micky Ward
Micky Ward
Micky Ward , nicknamed Irish, is a retired American junior welterweight professional boxer and a former WBU champion from Lowell, Massachusetts...
, DiBella served as advisor to Ward up until the New England fighter retired from boxing in 2008 http://www.eastsideboxing.com/boxing-news/dbe1108.php.
Promoter of a New Champion
DiBella is the promoter of Sergio Gabriel MartinezSergio Gabriel Martínez
Sergio Gabriel Martínez is an Argentine professional boxer and the current The Ring middleweight champion....
, the new middleweight champion.