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?

 

 

 

 

Three Heavyweights With A Big 2014 Coming Up.

The future looks bright for these three...

So 2014 is upon us and it's looking like a great year is instore for the heavyweight division.

Let's recap on the five I wrote about last Jan...

The five I said would have big years in 2013 were Lucas Browne (now on the brink of the commonwealth title and a possible world title shot). Tyson Fury (one fight last year thanks to the celebrity that is Haye). David Price (who had a big 2013, sadly for him for all the wrong reasons). Robert Helenius (who like Fury only had the one fight last year, however his inactivity was due to injury) and Magomed Abdusalamov who is currently on a very long hard road to recovery after he went into a coma following his last fight in November - I wish him well.

This year I have chosen 3 that I think will have a big year in 2014 - Lucas Browne, Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder.

Lucas Browne.

Ranked No 11 by the WBC, Lucas had five fights in 2013, four of which ended before the final bell.  The one which went the distance was his UD over 12 rounds against former three-weight world champion James Toney, which was for the lightly regarded WBF title. The highlight of his year was his win against the highly regarded Richard Towers in an eliminator for the commonwealth title, which Browne won by 5th round TKO.

Browne's record now stands at 19 fights, 19 wins, 17 KOs (11 of which have been in the first 3 rounds). After his win over Towers he was next fight should have been against David Price for his Commonwealth Belt, however Price vacated all his titles, while he trys to rebuild his career in Germany with the Sauerland team.

Browne is due to fight for the vacant title in Victoria on the 3rd April. As yet no opponent has been named for the fight, however out of those mentioned and available I fully expect Browne to win and win well. That then leaves his next step...

Last year there was talk of a possible fight with Alex Leapai, however that fight may well be a thing of the past now, especially as Leapai has done a remarkable job in manoeuvring himself into the mandatory challenger for Wlad's WBO belt, a fight expected to take place around April time. Aussie boxing is certainly on the up. 

Lucas has been mentioned in dispatches by both Wilder and Fury in recent months as a possible fight. Whilst I think Wilder is being moved in a different direction, I could see Browne fighting the winner of the possible Fury Vs Chisora fight, which could also be a elimination bout for a shot at one of the titles as mandatory. Once he has fought for the commonwealth a fight Vs Mike Perez would be a good match up.

Lucas has come far in a fairly short period of time. When I wrote a similiar article Jan he was the outsider, now he is very much a main player. Most of what he has achieved has been through his own efforts and without the benefit of a settled corner team, especially a trainer. Once this is solved then I see nothing but great things for Browne. Future Champion Of The World? In my humble opinion - Yes, no doubt.

Derek Chisora.

Chisora has kept himself busy in 2013. He has shown himself to have been fitter and sharper than he has ever been which has resulted in all four of his fights being TKO stoppage wins. Picking up four belts along the way (WBA International Title, WBO International Title, EBU European Title & WBA inter-continental Title), whilst also getting himself ranked in the top 15 by all four of the major bodies, which is no mean feat - No 6 by the WBC, No 14 by the WBA, No 7 by the IBF & No 2 by the WBO - Impressive.     

Chisora's next fight is against Andriy Rudenko in his first defence of his European title. Rudenko has an impressive record on paper of 16 KOs from 24 wins and is classed as "The Klitschko" clone, however he has never fought outside the Ukraine before and whilst anything is possible with one punch in the heavys, I don't see him beating Chisora. (Chiora's opponent was replaced by the durable Kevin Johnson who he fights on 15th Feb).

Next up it is looking very likely that there will be a rematch between Fury and Chisora. Frank Warren would have you believe it is going to be an eliminator fight, it won't be, it would however be a fascinating fight. The original fight in 2011 was for the Commonwealth Title and saw a hugely out of shape Chisora lose to a UD over 12 rounds. With his renewed focus, I see a very different result this time around should the fight happen. 

Of course however, with Chisora being ranked with all four of the main bodies he has a lot of options open to him and perhaps Fury needs him more, Chisora and Warren could go in a different direction and may look at a possible fight with Jennings who is also ranked in the top 15 by all four bodies.

If Chisora can keep his focus then the world is his oyster, he took Vitali to 12th round decision in 2012 and has been in with some top fighters. Of the three I highlight in this article he is perhaps the most experienced, his record is 19 fights, 15 wins, 13 by KO.

Deontay Wilder. 

 

Deontay Wilder is perhaps the dark horse of the three, whilst also possibly the most likely to destroy all challengers no matter if the name is Browne, Chisora or Klitschko. The problem with Wilder is that no-one really knows how good he is yet. He has an incredibly impressive record of 30 fights winning all by KO which can not be taken away, even if the quality of those fighters can be called into question. You can only beat what's in front of you. He is, like Chisora ranked by all four of the world bodies - No 3 WBC, No 7 WBA, No 11 IBF & No 4 WBO.

Wilder has called out Fury lately via twitter, whilst Fury has returned fire, Chisora has called out Wilder via an online open letter and has been told by Wilder to wait his turn, whilst Browne has been mentioned by all them simply replying he'll fight them all. So what next for Wilder?

Wilder has said recently that he would like to fight Tyson Fury in his next fight, although I don't think either people's handlers would want that fight without a belt on the line. Most likely for Wilder is for him to fight the winner of the Stiverne Vs Arreola rematch who will be fighting for the WBC belt vacated by Vitali, would he win a fight against one of those 2 fighters? Wilder certanly thinks he beats Stiverne and has almost gone as far recently to call him a bum. 

Both Stiverne and Arreola are more experienced than Wilder as the biggest name on Wilder's "CV" is Siarhei Liakhovich, closely followed by Audley Harrison, however his power can not be taken for granted and is still very much an unknown quantity. Should he beat either Stiverne or Arreola then I could see a big money clash Vs Fury perhaps in late autumn which would put paid to Fury Vs Chisora, yet might open a door for Browne Vs Chisora. If Wilder can live up the hype, which seems to grow louder with each passing day, then he will be awesome, I am keeping my powder dry for the time being...

So having started out with the intention of writing just about three fighters, I have ended up mentioning 8 heavyweights who could all have a big say in the 2014 heavyweight scence. Of them all I think Chisora is most likely the best boxer, yet in the heavys that is not always the be all and end all, which is why I find it such a great division.

I wish them all well...

David Haye - Fighter or Celebrity?

The question Haye must answer...

David Haye - Boxer

David Haye the charismatic, brash, hugely talented boxer has in recent months/weeks/days been calling out Vitali Klitschko for a shot at Vitali's WBC belt, but the question that needs to be asked is Haye still a fighter or is he some C list celebrity that used to be a boxer? 

In the last 18 months Haye has had 2 fights in a ring, a brawl outside it, has spent some time in a jungle reality show but has continued to call out Vitali for a fight.

Let's go into more detail. In July 2011 Haye fought Wladimir Klitschko for his world title belts (WBA, WBO, IBF), but lost a unanimous points after an extremely poor performance (considering the grandstanding before the fight), which he blamed on his toe being broken. Some months later in Feb 2012 Haye turns up at a post fight press conference between Derek Chisora and Vitali Klitschko. He ends up brawling with Chisora (after the initial pre-planed stunt went wrong), and the 2 men start a build up to a domestic fight. In July 2012 a full year after his last fight Haye beats Chisora by TKO in the 5th after a great display of boxing power and precision. Nov 2012 he enters the reality show I'm a Celebrity get me out of here, eventually coming 3rd.

This week Haye has said Vitali has until the end of the summer to agree to fight him or it's all off. What makes him think 2 fights (1 win, 1 loss) in 18 months make him able to call the shots?

Vitali Klitschko

Granted Haye is big business and his stint in the jungle has shown a different side to him and made him known to a much bigger audience, in much the same way Audley Harrison did when appearing on Come Dancing. Haye is also able to put "bums on seats" and could probably sell the fight on PPV himself, however a fighter needs to be active in order to gain a shot doesn't he? Manuel Charr has been busy calling Haye out to fight him with the winner getting a shot at Vitali. Charr has fought Vitali before when he was outclassed and battered by him before being stopped in the 4th round. In order to get a rematch Charr has to fight a "contender" and Haye is currently classed as not only a contender but also big business.

Charr after his 4th rd loss to Vitali

A fight against Charr is the way to go for Haye in my opinion if he is seriuos about his own legacy. Vitali (45-2, 41 KOs), has never been floored and is the owner of the second-highest heavyweight knockout percentage in history (87.76%), so no matter how good he thinks he is, Haye will need a warm up fight, Charr presents such an opportunity. The only other option is to fight Tyson Fury, but I doubt if either fighter would risk a shot at the belt knowing they could quite easily get KO'd by the other.

David Haye - Celebrity

Haye the supremely self confident man that he is will probably keep on calling out Vitali whilst passing judgements on Price, Fury and the rest of the division and also ignoring Charr's challenge.

I asked at the beginning - Is Haye still a fighter or is he some C list celebrity that used to be a boxer? We will see in the coming weeks/months but at the time of writing he was appearing on lunchtime housewives show Loose Women.

Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well...

(EDIT:- David Haye has now signed to fight Tyson Fury on 28th Sept in Manchester - Edit:- he has pulled out of fighting Fury through injury twice)

(Haye's last fight was 12th July 2012.).