Joey Gamache just might start knocking on corporate doors for money to keep professional boxing alive in the Twin Cities.

The last thing the former two-time world champion wants to be is the next Willy Loman, the tragic character in Arthur Miller’s play, “Death of a Salesman,” but he has no qualms about tapping corporations’ purses to help sponsor fight cards that have been draining his own wallet.

His fight cards at the Multi-Purpose Center in Lewiston have set him back at least $7,000 – especially after purchasing a new ring. He’s not complaining, but he has only so much to give before his bank account runs dry.

That’s why the trainer/promoter is looking for financial aid from the area’s top-notch businesses to keep him out of the red and his stable of pugilists in the ring.

“It’s like starting a franchise,” says Gamache. “I have some world champions here.

“I hate to give it up, but I have some money. I am not poor; I am not rich.

“I hate to see the sport die and not get resurrected. My heart is set for here and investing in my kids. Even though we lost money, we had the place packed.”

But with so many other outlets for young athletes today, and with older die-hard boxing fans in L-A passing on, the sport just might have lost some of its luster and popularity in this fast-forward age of high technology and TVs equipped with 800 channels.

Still, Gamache, who was fortunate to earn a few championship belts and see the world thanks to his fast fists, won’t take no for an answer even though there are more lucrative opportunities awaiting him in New York City.

He could just give it all up and stay put in New York where he could train one of the top-10 welterweights in the world, Chris Smith. He’s been in Smith’s corner in three nationally-televised fights. Thanks to that exposure, Gamache was offered the opportunity to train the U.S. boxing team in Russia before visa problems nixed that deal.

“I still want to run shows here,” said Gamache. “But I can’t have fights this month; I don’t have the time.

“I like the element of promoting. It is a tough business, but somebody has got to keep it going. We are in a position where we can let the sport die (here) or save it.”

But rescuing professional boxing in Maine means Gamache will be logging more miles on the Red-Eye Express between New York City and Lewiston. The commute alone is wearing out the ex-prize fighter.

Then, of course, there’s the money, and it is always about the money. Don’t anyone kid you about that. Lining up fighters who can walk out on him before the bell rings is also a Herculean task for Gamache.

And since he’s not holding a fight card this month in Lewiston, his nephew, Ryan Gamache, is training with him at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn for his next bout in Hyannis, Mass., on May 15.

“Right now, until we open some doors back home, I am going to have him here (Gleason’s Gym),” said Joey Gamache.

Despite all the headaches, Gamache doesn’t seem to mind the stress that comes with gathering a bunch of pugilists for an evening of fisticuffs.

“I am willing to put a lot into it,” said Gamache. “There’s not many fights in New York. It is expensive to run a fight in New York.”

But even though he is now a New Yorker, his heart is still attached to Lewiston where his career began.

“I feel Lewiston is the fight capital of boxing in Maine,” said a determined Gamache.

That might be true, but it all comes down to the bottom line – money.

Tony Blasi is a staff editor who can be reached at tblasi@sunjournal.com

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