The IBF Press Release & My View...

 The IBF Seek To Clarify Their Position On Tyson Fury.

The IBF Belt

Whilst many think the decision to strip Tyson Fury of his IBF belt only a week after winning it, the IBF make a pretty clear case for why they did -

 

 

IBF Press Release (December 9, 2015):  

"The IBF Heavyweight World Title, which was won by Tyson Fury on November 28, 2015 when he beat the reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko in an optional defense of this title, was vacated on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 by the IBF as Tyson Fury is unable to make the mandatory defense of the IBF title against challenger Vyacheslav Glaskov because he is contractually obligated to a rematch with Klitschko, which is in direct violation of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests. 

On November 30, 2015, the IBF reminded Tyson Fury via an email in care of Hennessy Sports that the bout on November 28 was considered a mandatory defense of both the WBA and WBO Heavyweight titles and that his next bout was to be the IBF mandatory defense against Vyacheslav Glazkov, the #1 contender and the leading available contender for the IBF mandatory defense.  This bout was due next in the rotation of mandatory defenses of the titles.  Furthermore, Fury was informed that negotiations with Glazkov should commence immediately and be concluded by December 30, 2015. He was advised that if an agreement was not reached between the two parties by December 30, 2015, the IBF would call for a purse bid.  Glazkov’s promoter Main Events was copied on this letter.

On December 1, 2015, the IBF received a letter via email from Patrick C. English on behalf of Main Events indicating that Main Events was unwilling to negotiate and requested that the IBF order an immediate purse bid in accordance with Rule 10.A. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests.  Rule 10.A. cites in part: “If the camps are unable to come to an agreement as to the promotion of a title bout in the initial thirty (30) day negotiation period, or if one of the camps certifies in writing during the negotiation period that he is not willing to participate in negotiations, the President of the IBF/USBA shall notify each registered promoter that a purse offer will be held.”  Accordingly, the IBF ordered a purse bid to be held on December 11, 2015.

Following the title fight between Klitschko and Fury, the IBF became aware for the first time that there was a contractual agreement between both fighters for an immediate rematch. There were no provisions for any rematch in the contracts which were submitted to the IBF prior to the IBF agreeing to sanction the Klitschko vs. Fury bout.  Rule 3.B. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests states:  

“No contract for a Championship contest shall contain any clause or any provision, whatsoever, guaranteeing or in any way assuring or promising either contestant a return Championship contest where such clause or provision interferes with the mandatory defense of a title.”  

Had the IBF been aware of a clause in the contract that violated this rule, the parties would have been mandated to agree in writing to stage this rematch after the completion of the IBF mandatory defense.  If the parties did not agree, the title fight with Tyson Fury would not have been sanctioned by the IBF.

In a letter sent to the IBF by Harbottle & Lewis, the legal counsel retained by Hennessy Sports and Tyson Fury, the IBF was asked to consider and exercise their discretion under the IBF’s regulations and direct that an immediate rematch for the IBF Championship take place between Fury and Klitschko.  This rematch is in direct violation of an IBF rule and the IBF will not order a rematch under these circumstances.

Wladimir Klitschko has exercised his right to the contractual option agreed upon between himself and Tyson Fury for an immediate rematch, thus rendering Tyson Fury unable to make the mandatory defense of the IBF title next.  The direct rematch between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury interferes with the mandatory defense of the IBF Heavyweight title and is in violation of  Rule 3.B. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests.  Consequently, the title has been vacated in accordance to Rule 3.C.2. of the IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests which states: “Upon violation of this Rule, the Championship involved shall forthwith be declared vacant.”

On December 8, 2015 the IBF ordered #1, Vyacheslav Glazkov and #4, Charles Martin to begin negotiations for the vacant Heavyweight title.  The IBF received a written certification from Warriors Boxing who represents Martin, stating that he was not willing to participate in negotiations and therefore requested an immediate purse bid according to IBF Rule 10A.  The purse bid had been scheduled Friday, December 18, 2015 at 12 Noon."

 

 

Is the decision a stupid one? In my opinion, yes it is, however I see why the IBF have taken the action they have. Caught between a rock and a hard place, they could be waiting till late summer for their sanctioning fees, which I believe to be the real issue here. After all money talks...

 

 

So now we have the possibility of 3 "World Champions", however Tyson Fury is the lineal and that is what counts, isn't it?

 

 

 

 

David Price vs Erkan Teper - Full Fight.

David Price vs Erkan Teper

 

David Price was Ko'd in the 2nd round by Erkan Teper in his attempt to win the European Heavyweight Title.

End of the road for Price now in my opinion. Thought this was a likely outcome has never looked the same since Thompson and seemed to have learned nothing from either of those fights.

The Face of a man who knows his dreams are gone..

I had such high hopes for him once.

Good Luck David and thanks for the memories....

Lucas Browne About To Make History Again..

"Big Daddy" Browne named mandatory for Ruslan Chagaev's belt.

Lucas Browne

It has been a long, painful and sometimes frustrating road for Browne, however now his faith in his own ability and destiny has been repaid after WBA chairman Gilberto Mendoza mandated on Wednesday that Chagaev’s representatives have 30 days to negotiate the fight with Browne.

Although Lucas is a very approachable and pleasant man outside the ring he looks like he'd eat your Granny in the ring.  

Lucas Browne is the former MMA fighter, who won his first boxing contest in 2009 by KO. That has become a familiar outcome for many of his fights since, his record now stands at 22 fights, 22 wins, 19 of which have come by KO or stoppage. Of those 19, only 18 have heard the bell for the start of the 6th round. Impressive stats by anyone's standards. Whilst he would agree himself he isn't Ali, he has tremendous ability, huge power, is trained by Jeff Fenech and promoted by Ricky Hatton via Hatton Promotions.

Fenech told Boxing News in July 2014 - 

"Browne hurts me on the pads more than Tyson, He can be world heavyweight champion" 

- his prophetic words may be about to come true.

Browne's promoter Ricky Hatton (himself no stranger to title fights), had this to say to The Courier-Mail - 

"I’m delighted that Lucas has been made the WBA’s mandatory challenger. 

Chagaev has shown that he’s one of best heavyweights around, but Lucas is a massive puncher and can knock him out. Australia has never had a world champion at heavyweight so this is a chance for Lucas to make history and he’s going to grab it with both hands. 

Lucas is a warrior who’ll fight anyone at any time and he’s been itching to get back in the ring. We’ve had a lot of people asking when they’ll see him fight again and I think the fans will be very pleased now we can reveal what we’ve been working on."

Whilst Hatton was obviously very happy with the announcement, he let his annoyance at fans get the better of him tweeting - @HitmanHatton world titles take time to work on, shame none of the pricks on here know. An army of keyboard promoting know it alls.

He got his man a shot and that is all a fan can ask of a promoter. So fair play...

Chagaev is a very decent fighter, winning the "Regular" belt against Fres Oquendo by majority decision in July last year. He has had 36 fights, winning 33, 20 by KO, with 1 draw. His 2 losses have come against quality opposition, namely Klitschko (in the 9th round) and Povetkin (points after 12 rounds). Whilst he is smaller than Browne he has had a lot of success against much bigger opposition, including getting a decision over the "Beast From The East", 7 foot Nicolay Valuev. Not sure he has met many with the power of Browne though...

A big part of the negotiations for this fight will revolve around where it actually happens. I'm sure Chageav wants the "home advantage", however this fight in Australia would make some serous dollars for both fighters and if promoted right could catch the imagination of many within boxing worldwide, especially in the UK where Lucas has a very strong and loyal backing. The UK would be the second best option for this fight or perhaps the better one in the long term as it would get more exposure being in Europe. A tie up with Warren/BoxNation could be a factor too.

Prediction?

I can see only one outcome and that is a Browne win, late stoppage or a points win would be my bets. He will have to go to places he hasn't been before as Chageav has been and seen it all, Browne will also need to be careful as his tendancy to cut means his defence needs to be spot on. 

On 26th April 2014, I had the great pleasure to meet Lucas Browne before his fight against Eric Martel Bahoeli when he made history becoming the first Australian to be Commonwealth Champ for 122 Years. I fully expect him to create history again by becoming Australia's first ever heavyweight champion.

I wish both fighters well...

   

Two British Fighters With A Huge 2015 To Come...

A big year for these men.

Around this time last year I wrote about 3 heavyweights that would have a big 2014 - Lucas Browne, Derek Chisora & Deontay Wilder.

Each had a year of differing success or non success. Wilder is about to fight for the WBC heavyweight title, Browne is trying to angle himself a shot at the WBA interim and Chisora is at a crossroads, perhaps his last crossroads..

This year I have picked just 2 fighters both British boxers who I think will have a huge year and possibly could be in world title contention in 12 months time maybe even sooner.

They are are Dillian Whyte & Adam Etches.

Dillian Whyte.

After 2 years out of the game for alleged drug taking this is the big year for Dillain. This is the man who floored and beat Anthony Joshua in the amateurs and has a lot of ground to make up to catch the Joshua hype train. His record stands at 12 fights, 12 wins, 9 KOs.

He has been matched fairly impressively in his 3 fights since his return, learning fights, fights to throw off the cobwebs. Now is the time to show what he can do. His next fight Vs  Marcelo Luiz Nascimento is a step up from the previous three. He has been in with Chambers (lost points last time out) and Parker (TKO loss rd 7) and although he has lost 7 he has won 15 of his 17 wins by KO, so holds some power and is a little dangerous. A good test for Dillain.

Where do I think Dillian will be in 12 months? He needs to keep busy, perhaps 8 fights this year, 4 awkward journeymen, then perhaps some top 35 ranked fighters. This man has talent, serious talent and some awesome power. Of all the up and coming heavyweights that I have seen around the world he is the most technically gifted and the one with a huge future, reminds me of a prime Herbie Hide, with a lot more ability though.

Adam Etches.

Perhaps the most underrated boxer in Britain, Adam has just continued to fight and win and fight and win and gain valuable experience, seemingly quite happy to do all this under the radar of the so called "bigger" names such as Ryder, Saunders, Eubank Jr, etc. Adam is the IBF International Middleweight Belt holder and will defend this on March 28th in Sheffield. A record of 18 fights, 18 wins and 15 KOs demands respect and this is the year in my opinion that the world (not just Britain) sits up and takes some notice of this level headed young man.

Fights for the British and European belts loom large on the horizon for this year, ideally a fight for both in one fight against perhaps John Ryder, would be ideal, although the politics of the boxing world sadly may mean this doesn't happen.

Where do I think Adam will be in 12 months? He will be knocking on the doors of Peter Quillin and Miguel Cotto. Yes! That is how highly I rate this young man. Whether those fights will happen is not likely in 12 months time, I can see him having a shot at Saunders' world title (should he win it) and I also think he will eclipse Eubank Jr in the next 12 months, with his "normal bloke" attitude. Ryder will be a big name casualty at the hands of Etches this year. In 18 months Adam will be a world champion, no doubt about this in my mind at all.

In summary these 2 young fighters have the world at their feet.  They have the ability and the desire, now they just have to take their chances as and when they arrive. The next twelve months are huge for both of them.

I wish them well...