KATHY DUVA, CEO/OWNER
A veteran of over 40 years in the business of professional boxing, Kathy Duva was introduced to the Sport of Kings by her late husband, legendary boxing promoter Dan Duva, shortly after they began dating while in college. After receiving a BA in English from Montclair State University, she began her career as a reporter and editor at the Wayne Today Newspapers. She also covered women’s sports for the New Jersey Edition of the New York Daily News before moving on to the position of Assistant Director of College Relations at William Paterson University. Thanks to the benevolence of a very understanding supervisor, she managed to juggle her job at William Paterson with her duties as the Director of Public Relations for her then husband’s fledgling boxing promotion company, Main Events, for several years before moving on to Main Events full time in 1981.
Throughout much of her career, Kathy handled the publicity chores as Main Events launched and/or promoted the careers of a stunning array of world champions and outstanding contenders. They currently include WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Sergey Kovalev, former IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Tomasz Adamek, current IBF, WBO and WBA light heavyweight challenger Isaac Chilemba, former IBF heavyweight challenger Czar Glazkov, former WBA middleweight challenger Curtis Stevens and numerous prospects including Thabiso Mchunu, Arif Magomedov, Dmitry Mikhaylenko, Sullivan Barrera, Vasily Lepikhin and many more.
During the course of her time with Main Events Kathy promoted legends like, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Michael Moorer, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Fernando Vargas, Arturo Gatti, Livingstone Bramble, Mark Breland, Pinklon Thomas, Mike McCallum, Rocky Lockridge, Frankie Warren, Johnny Bumphus, Vernon Forrest, John John Molina, Ike Quartey, Zab Judah, Vivian Harris, Bobby Czyz, Vinnie Pazienza, Vivian Harris, Joel Casamayor, Jesse James Leija, Raul Marquez, Kevin Kelly, Junior Jones, Juan Diaz, Kermit Cintron and Nate Campbell, Rocky Juarez, David Tua, Andrew Golota, Tyrell Biggs, Michael Grant and Cal Brock. All of the above fighters eventually challenged for world titles. Most were successful. Holyfield, Lewis and Whitaker became “mega-fighters.” Gatti and Vargas were among the most beloved fan-favorites in the sport’s history. Sergey Kovalev is well on his way to superstar status and Kathy’s long-time relationship with HBO has been instrumental in helping him get there.
Upon Dan’s passing in 1996, Kathy assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Main Events, where she remains today. In 2001 she graduated with Honors from Seton Hall Law School where she currently sits on the Board of Visitors. Kathy’s three children with Dan are Nicole, Lisa, and Bryan. Her role in raising them is the proudest accomplishment of Kathy’s life.