What is the Colosseum Endowment Project? The Colosseum Endowment Project (CEP) was formed to establish a $100 million endowment to finance the preservation and enhancement of the Roman Colosseum, the adjoining Colosseum Valley, and other significant archaeological, architectural, historical monuments, and museums located within the City of Rome, and elsewhere throughout Italy. The people of Italy and Rome are acutely aware of the cost and complex challenges in preserving Rome s cultural heritage. The idea of the CEP is to make the preservation of Rome s cultural heritage a worldwide focus by hosting the most lucrative professional boxing match/entertainment event ever, headlined by the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao world boxing championship and an undercard of international boxing stars, within the Colosseum, before a small, exclusive audience. Proceeds from the event will establish an endowment fund to support new and ongoing projects. This fusion of a modern professional sport with it s ancient roots in what is truly the worlds most famous arena will bring a new, worldwide interest in the Colosseum together with newly interested people who are willing and able to fund it s preservation. Further Reading and References Current Archaeological Situation in Rome, and Italy. Between 2008-11, the Colosseum and the adjoining valley, as well as many other important archaeological sites located throughout Rome, to include, ancient Ostia - the original port city for Rome located at the mouth of the Tiber River, etc,. Nearly all of these important archaeological sites, as well as the ruins of ancient Pompeii, and its sister city of Herculaneum, have fallen into a general state of decline. While the current worldwide economic crisis, is having a terrible effect on Italy, Greece, and Spain, alike. The primary reason attributed to the decline is Italy s critical funding shortages which prevent the proper safeguarding, maintenance, and care of these archaeological sites. This is critical when considering the fact that Italy (according to the UNESCO) contains an estimated 40-60% of the world s archaeological (and otherwise) cultural heritage. Aerial view of the Roman Colosseum In a recent article published in the New York Times (July 7, 2010), p. C5, Dr. Salvo Barrano, an Italian archaeologist, also the vice-president of Italy s Association of National Archaeologist (ANA), stated that the problem for the last 12 or 13 years is the country [of Italy] has stopped investing in culture. He continued, In the cases like the Domus Aurea, there just isn t just a quick enough payoff for politicians to invest more resource. This problem of the stopping of investing in Italy s cultural heritage is particularly evident, especially during the former administration of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (his
4th term, May 2008-November 2011). Here lies the problem of the lack of financial resources for Italian cultural heritage, caused by many of Berlusconi s former political appointee(s) serving as national level cabinet ministers, or culturally related advisors. This lead to not only the gross mismanagement of critical funding needed for safeguarding of Italian culture, but also these political appointee(s) neglecting to make use of the highly-trained Italian professional workforce of archaeologists, restoration architects, and engineers, etc, required to care for Italy s cultural heritage. Dr. Barrano s colleague in Rome, Dr. Cevoli (ANA), president of Italy s Association of National Archaeologists, was more candid about the overall problems of the mismanagement of Italy s cultural heritage, when he said in December 2011, L archeologia in Italia è profondamente malata, [ Archaeology in Italy is profoundly sick]. of central and northern Italy, along with the complex political, economic, and cultural problems, associated with other archaeological sites in the Rome, and elsewhere in Italy, has put a heavy strain on many of Italy s dedicated scholars responsible for Italy s archaeological, architectural, and cultural heritage. SSBAR 2012 - Rome, the Colosseum [Amphitheatrum Flavium, Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo]. The elaborate underground works inside the Roman Colosseum are exposed Furthermore, adding to the problematic lack of financial resources, and the underutilized Italian professional workforce required to properly, and adequately care for Italy s cultural heritage, In 2009 and 2012, Italy essentially faced two backto-back natural disasters; first, the devastating earthquake in the city of L Aquila, and the neighboring areas in April 2009. And shortly following, a devastating earthquake in a number of the Italian cities located throughout the vast of region of Emilia-Romagna in May 2012. As of late 2012, Italy s national emergency and recovery efforts in these two devastated regions The construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre, which is named after the Gens Flavia, began in 72 AD, under the emperor Vespasian and was financed with the spoils of the conquest of Jerusalem of 70 AD. The amphitheatre, inaugurated by Titus in 80 AD and completed by his brother Domitian in 82 AD, is the most imposing building of the antiquity among those destined for gladiatorial fights (munera) and mock hunts (venationes). The building rises in the centre of the valley where the artificial lake of Nero s Domus Aurea was previously located. Some auxiliary constructions stood around the valley: gymnasiums, storehouses and a hospital. The last spectacle held in the Colosseum dates back to 523 AD. ( ) The name Colosseum, under which the amphitheatre is commonly known, appearing for the first time in the eighth century, might derive from the memory of the colossal statue of Nero, which stood near the monument. During the sixteenth century, the tradition identifying the Colosseum with the place of the first Christians martyrdom became established,
though never proved. The sacred nature of the building was sanctioned in occasion of the Jubilee in 1750, when Pope Benedict XIV had a cross raised in the middle of the arena and 14 chapels built for the Via Crucis. After an earthquake in 1803, the first reinforcement works were accomplished, carrying out two brick abutments, one on the eastern side (Stern 1805-07) and the other one on the western side (Valadier 1827): it was the first phase of a long action of recovery and archaeological research, that changed the Colosseum from ruins into a monument. Rome, the Colosseum [Amphitheatrum Flavium, Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo], in: Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma (2012).# to the evolution of the century old art form also known as the sweet science. All time great boxers like Gene Tunny, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson were all precursors to Mayweather s talents. Nobody has ever quite justified the brutality of punching with the beauty of boxing the way champion Floyd Mayweather does. - Manny Pacquiao is possibly the most effectively aggressive fighter of all time. His abilities are a reminder of men like Henry Armstrong, Joe Frazier, Roberto Duran. However, nobody has ever quite captivated audiences with such an impressive marriage of unparalleled strength and speed the way champion Manny Pacquiao does. In this theater of the unexpected, as boxing analyst Larry Merchant once referred to the sport, it is difficult to project who will emerge victorious. Sports fans worldwide, from the United States to the Philippines, from Germany to Australia, watch when these two competitors face off. Who will stand proud in victory, and who will resemble the Seated Boxer in defeat? The Fund Generating Event: Floyd Mayweather Jr. v Manny Pacquiao The international attention and wonder generated by this event is the key to ensuring it s success and the key the ensuring that the Colosseum itself will never resembles the Seated Boxer in spirit. The venue would be prepared in coordination with both the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiBAC), and the City of Rome s town council, and other designated Italian regional political and scholarly administrators. Let all emerge victorious in this historic event featuring: - Floyd Mayweather Jr. is possibly the greatest classical boxer of all time. His abilities are a tribute Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao 2012 The Event Proposal: This event is built around the known fragility of the Colosseum s structure. The very limited number of people in attendance (yet to be determined), will share the honor of paying up to $1 million, the highest price ever paid for a ticket, to see the event in person and join an exclusive list of CEP founding members. The proceeds from this event will be used to establish the endowment aimed at restoring this and other ancient monuments. The
following summarizes our beliefs concerning connecting modern professional boxing with it s roots in ancient Rome: We are not going back to [the Colosseum s] gruesome and tragic origins but will instead give space to art and culture; ( ) The spirit behind this initiative is that of uniting preservation with cultural activities, ( ) The [recently constructed] stage is important because it also protects the monument. Giovanna Melandri, Italian Minister of Culture, in: The Colosseum Reopens for Shows, ABC NEWS / International (July 20, 2000).# Half of the money generated would be given to the MiBAC, specified for the Colosseum funding [see below: Benefits to the Colloseum], while the other half of the money generated would be given to the three prestigious Italian universities in Rome: The La Sapienza University of Rome; The University of Roma Tre; and University of Rome Tor Vergata. These funds would be utilized in assisting the students and scholars from the various academic departments of these universities in acquiring much needed equipment, funding for research projects, and to promote scholarships for Italian graduate students (and their foreign colleagues), specializing in the scientific disciplines relating to: Classical, Christian, and Medieval Archeology, and Restoration Architecture, Art History, Cultural Heritage, etc. Benefits to the Colosseum: The (CEP) funds donated to the Colosseum used for the following: - The safeguarding and the enhancement of the Colosseum and the adjoining Colosseum Valley. I have never felt such an extraordinary impression as the one created by the magnificent... athlete, coming slowly out of the ground... Rodolfo Lanciani, Anciente Rome, London 1888 Finances and Preparation: The goal of the CEP is to raise $100 million dollars [Euro s] towards the safeguarding and enhancement of the Colosseum, and many of the other significant archaeological, architectural, historical monuments, museums, etc., in the City of Rome. This money comes from event ticket sales paid by donors supporting and attending the event. The venue would be prepared in coordination with both the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiBAC), and the City of Rome s town council, and other designated Italian regional political and scholarly administrators. - The promotion of new multi-media exhibits, educational, and museum support systems. - Assisting in the development of cultural activities focusing on improving public awareness and appreciation for the Colloseum. - The ensuring that the Colosseum has adequate reserve funding in order to overcome any future unforeseen circumstances, problems relating to the overall structural integrity of the site.
The Colosseum Endowment Fund: The money will be raised from event ticket sales paid by individual and corporate donors who will attend the event will form the core of a new Colosseum Endowment Fund donor base. Investment policy, withdrawal policy, and fund use policy, will be determined by a board of directors selected from public, private, and political sectors While specific funding policies have not been established, we envision supporting projects with the MiBAC and with Italian universities in Rome: The La Sapienza University of Rome; The University of Roma Tre; and University of Rome Tor Vergata. These funds would be utilized in assisting the students and scholars from the various academic departments of these universities in acquiring much needed equipment, funding for research projects, and to promote scholarships for Italian graduate students (and their foreign colleagues), specializing in the scientific disciplines relating to: Classical, Christian, and Medieval Archeology, and Restoration Architecture, Art History, Cultural Heritage, etc. The Colosseum Endowment Project Contributors Who We Are Formation of the CEP was the idea of project directors Jeff Carleton and Jack Kellerman. During a trip to Rome, Jeff was awestruck by architectural phenomenon of the Colosseum towering before him, but also disheartened by the apparent lack of restoration and continuing decay of the structure. His tour guide was well versed in the complex political and financial problems enveloping Colosseum restoration projects, and painted a very disheartening and bleak picture of the future of the structure. Inspired by this experience, Jeff returned to New York and approached his college roommate and longtime friend Jack Kellerman, a fellow professional boxing enthusiast and media producer. Together, they came up with the concept of hosting a dream fight between two of professional boxing s greatest fighters, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in the world s most famous venue. Their goal is to make this fight a reality, while helping to rebuild and preserve this and other historic monuments. Carleton Family Vacation 2012 Designers & Contributors: - JEFF CARLETON: New York City, New York. CEP Co-Creator, Boxing enthusiast & entrepreneur; and a specialist in developing start-up companies [web sites] in New York. Jeff is an alumnus of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. - JACK KELLERMAN: New York City, New York. CEP Co-Creator, artist and media producer, specializing in landmarks and monuments; boxing enthusiast and member of the famed Kellerman boxing family; members include Sam Kellerman (sports writer), and Max Kellerman (HBO / ESPN boxing/sports commentator). Jack has an extensive collection of fine art photographs and motion picture media clips of Roman art and architecture. Jack is also alumnus of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. - MARTIN G. CONDE: Washington DC, USA. An Independent researcher specializing in the city of
of Rome s Archeological, Architectural, and Cultural Heritage Studies and Related Issues. - STEVE CARLETON: [Jeff s father] PhD. New York City, New York. It was during the Carleton family s recent trip to Rome, Italy, in June 2012, during their tour of the Colosseum, Jeff Carleton and his father were awestruck and inspired by the beauty of the ancient monument and became Colosseum enthusiasts. - JESSICA DERMODY: New York based Tony Award nominated Broadway theatre, film, and live concert /event Producer. Broadway credits include: Movin Out, The Producers, LoveMusik, Young Frankenstein, West Side Story, Superior Donuts, American Idiot, Catch Me If You Can, Lysistrata Jones, and Peter and The Starcatcher. Other credits: 110 Stories; A 9/11 Tribute, Art Miami, U.S. National tour of Saturday Night Fever, numerous large-scale corporate/industrial events, concert tours: 2008 Presidential Campaign events. - JOHN DERMODY: Owner of JMD Productions serving a range of markets worldwide in concert touring, corporate events, political campaigns, trade shows, special events, theater, television and film. Some credits include: Superbowl Half Time shows (2009, 2010), Presidential Debate and Events; Obama Campaign (2008, 2012). Arena Concert Tours: Rolling Stones, Madonna, U2, Coldplay. Industrial Events: Mercedes-Benz, Bvlgari, Victoria Secret, Apple, Bombay Sapphire. Conclusion We believe that hosting and promotion of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. v Manny Pacquiao world championship fight within the Colosseum could establish a $100 endowment fund that can ensure the Colosseum will be preserved and enhanced for the enjoyment and educational interest of future generations. The aim of the project is to increase public awareness of the need for proper care and maintenance of the Colosseum, and other archaeological cultural sites in the city of Rome. The worldwide spotlight on the Colosseum would be a significant boost for the Italian tourist economy, supporting public and student educational activities, and would promote the development and the advancement of the professions relating to cultural heritage. Investing in culture creates wealth; economic wealth through tourism, employment and spiritual wealth. Giovanna Melandri, in: THE INDEPENDENT, U.K., December 4, (2010).# View of the Palatine Hill, the Meta Sudans and the Colosseum Valley