![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/bulldogarena1.jpg\" "\\"bulldogarena1\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThese days, things appear a little differently as you walk through the city\u2019s downtown area, but Dr. George Pueblitz and former Pennsylvania Golden Gloves State Champion <\/em>Andres Taylor believe that things are about to change in downtown Johnstown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe want to bring traffic to the downtown businesses,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cThis is going to be a great thing, for not just us, but the entire downtown.\u201d <\/p>\n The two are getting ready to open the doors to their new venue called Bulldog Arena & Events Center.<\/p>\n \u201cThe boxing scene in Johnstown has been dead for some time, but what we have been trying to do since I turned pro is bring it back to Johnstown,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n Pueblitz added: \u201cWe started looking the last three years into having our own place and here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n The boxing twosome are looking to fill a void in the city\u2019s downtown area, and they feel that this can be achieved by building indigenous relationships and partnering with local businesses.<\/p>\n \u201cSugar Ray Robinson fought here in Johnstown. Ezzard Charles, Willie Pep, Buster Douglas; they all fought here,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cJohnstown was once a big boxing town and we want to bring that back.\u201d<\/p>\n The pair will look to offer amateur, pro, and pro-am fights.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to bring it back to downtown Johnstown,\u201d Andres said.<\/p>\n The building that Pueblitz and Taylor selected for their new venue has a lot of history to it. Area residents may remember it as the old McCrory\u2019s building, formerly J. W. Grant, located on Main Street.<\/p>\n The two entrepreneurs met while Andres was still fighting amateur bouts, he had asked Dr. Pueblitz to be the interim ring doctor while the actual doctor was away. After attending a few of Andres\u2019 fights Pueblitz stepped inside the ring and took him up on his offer.<\/p>\n In April of 2008, Andres decided to go professional and Pueblitz has been his cut man ever since.\u00a0 The two have traveled the world, with Andres having fights, internationally.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s never missed a fight,\u201d said Taylor in reference to Pueblitz.<\/p>\n Andres\u2019 construction company, Knockout Construction, has been diligently working for a year now to renovate the building.\u00a0 One new improvement to the building is its unique liquid marble floor; patrons will not find another floor like it in town. The duo not only prides itself in the building\u2019s development, but they are also proud to say that they worked with all local business for their renovation needs.<\/p>\n \u201cFor every aspect of this arena, when we did the construction, we went to local businesses,\u201d Taylor said.\u00a0 \u201cWe went to Bantly Hardware. We went to Penstan. We went to Meyer\u2019s. We went to Hite. We went to J.D. Fleck. These are all local businesses that we patronized because they are a part of Johnstown.\u201d<\/p>\n Moxham Lumber and U-Rent were also mentioned by Taylor.<\/p>\n Taylor and Dr. Pueblitz have a vision for their venue and it includes providing opportunities for the youth.<\/p>\n \u201cI would love to bring Golden Gloves to Johnstown,\u201d Pueblitz said, \u201cWe want to keep the kids off of the street and let them build something.\u201d<\/p>\n Pueblitz came to Johnstown from Los Angeles 34 years ago and has his own practice on Menoher Boulevard.<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely keeps the kids off the street and I know that first hand,\u201d said Taylor, \u201cI know how it deterred me a lot of times. You have to put a lot of discipline and commitment into this sport.\u201d<\/p>\n Bulldog Arena will see its first event come late March of this year. The boxing event showcases Taylor as the main bout with 3 pro undercards leading up to the big fight.<\/p>\n The structure can easily hold over 1,000 seats with its 20,000 square feet.<\/p>\n The building will be initially used as a boxing facility but the owners intend to use the building for other events as well.\u00a0 Bridal shows, wedding receptions, fashion shows and even Zumba classes are all on deck to take full advantage of the new downtown venue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to offer a nice family venue where it can be a great night out.\u00a0 You can take your family out to places like Press Bistro and Flood City Caf\u00e9,\u201d Taylor said, \u201cThen after (that), come and see a show.\u00a0 Once you leave here, maybe with your loved one, go to RJ\u2019s and other downtown spots.\u00a0 Let\u2019s bring downtown back.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information on the Bulldog Arena & Events Center visit: www.bulldogarena.com.<\/p>\n This article was first published in Soul Pitt Quarterly Print Magazine (SPR15)<\/em> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Ron Fisher The streets of downtown Johnstown were once known as the bustling streets of the city with its many storefronts and steady flow of traffic. These days, things appear a little differently as you walk through the city\u2019s … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nCopyright Soul Pitt Media.\u00a0 All Rights Reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n