Longtime boxing promoter Dan Goossen died Monday after battling liver cancer.
Goossen, 64, worked with numerous boxing champions during his decades long career, including Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, and current super middleweight champion Andre Ward. He was diagnosed with liver cancer this past Labor Day, according to ESPN.com.
Showtime Sports general manager Stephen Espinoza said in a statement: “All of us at Showtime are deeply saddened by the passing of Dan Goossen. This news has come as a shock to many of us who knew Dan personally, beyond our collaborative work on boxing events, for decades. We will remember Dan as a passionate advocate for the sport of boxing, a fun-loving colleague and friend, and, above all, a devoutly religious family man. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Goossen family. May he rest in peace.”
Ken Hershman, President, HBO Sports said,"Everyone at HBO Sports is saddened by the sudden loss of Dan Goossen. Dan was a dedicated boxing promoter who we worked closely with for many, many years on some of the most important fights in the sport. But what was even more impressive was his total commitment to his family, who were always right by his side during fight week or wherever his business required him to be. Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Debbie, and the entire Goossen family."
ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions said of Goossen: “Dan Goossen was an absolute titan in the boxing industry and a great friend to ESPN. He was the mastermind behind bringing the WBC World Heavyweight Championship bout between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola to the masses via ESPN back in May. He will be sorely missed.”
