In need of money Zabala began work as a boxing promoter, tirelessly putting up posters and other materials. His first large promotion was between middleweights Florentino Fernández and Rocky Rivero. The day Rivero was due to arrive in San Juan for the match, Zabala received a phone call from Rivero's management saying that they wanted double the previously agreed-upon amount of money. Zabala paid him half of his requested payment upon arrival; however, he refused to pay the remaining different after the fight, citing the terms of the existing contract.