Quelle:
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/2004/02/22/sport/boxing/boxing01.asp
Sunday 22 Feb 2004
Klitschko camp bait Corrie
Threats to walk away and seek another belt because Sanders 'doesn't want to fight'
Accusing Corrie Sanders of stalling talks, the Vitali Klitschko camp is threatening to walk away from their scheduled WBC title bout and fight for the WBA belt instead.
You can bet your house the argument is over money. Again.
Sanders's manager Vernon Smith has been at loggerheads with Universum Box Promotion, fronted by German Peter Kohl, since March last year when the South African knocked out Klitschko's brother, Wladimir.
Universum became Sanders's promoter through a pre-fight agreement, that stipulated "slave-wage" purses. Sanders and Smith have tried unsuccessfully to get out of the contract.
But the scheduled Vitali-Sanders bout gives the South Africans a chance to pull one back.
Representatives of the two boxers have until next Monday to strike a deal or the fight goes to a purse bid - an open auction where promoters make one-off offers to stage the bout.
Promotional contracts fall by the way in the event of purse bids. In the case of Klitschko-Sanders, it is estimated the winning bid will be no less than $8-million, which gets split 50-50 between the two fighters.
Smith did not disclose what was happening in the talks, but said: "It's tough as can be."
Universum spokesman Christoph Rybarczyk thinks differently. "It seems Corrie doesn't want to fight," he told the Sunday Times, adding that WBA champion John Ruiz had agreed to fight Vitali. Vitali is the top contender for the WBC and WBA belts.
But Universum's theory that Sanders does not want to fight makes absolutely no sense.
Sanders, who is seeking a big payday, ditched his WBO title for the WBC's No 2 ranking. This is the fight he wants. The purse bid, furthermore, means that Sanders-Klitschko is fait accompli.
Should either boxer pull out he would simply be replaced by the next highest available contender.
It seems the Germans don't want a purse bid, where they will probably compete against the likes of Don King and Bob Arum.
Johannesburg-based Golden Gloves this week said they too would make a substantial offer.
An industry insider believes Universum's threat is empty. "They're trying to bully Corrie."
But maybe the Germans think they can yet control three major versions of the world heavyweight title if Vitali wins the WBA belt, Sanders the WBC crown and Wladimir the vacant WBO title.
After the purse bid, Universum's contract with Sanders would kick in again and then they may find it easier to manipulate a Sanders-Klitschko bout at a cheaper price.
A complicating factor, however, is that their relationship with the Klitschko brothers has soured. Vitali is rumoured to be with new management in the US. Perhaps a firm grip on the heavyweight division would give them more leverage.
If they do walk away, it has to be with a good back-up plan - the WBC is the most prestigious of the world sanctioning bodies. And its heavyweight title, declared vacant after Lennox Lewis retired earlier this month, will give the new holder the claim to being the linear champion.
Fightnews.com quoted Universum saying they were puzzled by the "shilly-shally and changeable behaviour Sanders displays concerning fighting Vitali".
It's not puzzling. It's business.
ACCUSING Corrie Sanders of stalling talks, the Vitali Klitschko camp is threatening to walk away from their scheduled WBC title bout and fight for the WBA belt instead.
You can bet your house the argument is over money. Again.
Sanders's manager Vernon Smith has been at loggerheads with Universum Box Promotion, fronted by German Peter Kohl, since March last year when the South African knocked out Klitschko's brother, Wladimir.
Universum became Sanders's promoter through a pre-fight agreement, that stipulated "slave-wage" purses. Sanders and Smith have tried unsuccessfully to get out of the contract.
But the scheduled Vitali-Sanders bout gives the South Africans a chance to pull one back.
Representatives of the two boxers have until next Monday to strike a deal or the fight goes to a purse bid - an open auction where promoters make one-off offers to stage the bout.
Promotional contracts fall by the way in the event of purse bids. In the case of Klitschko-Sanders, it is estimated the winning bid will be no less than $8-million, which gets split 50-50 between the two fighters.
Smith did not disclose what was happening in the talks, but said: "It's tough as can be."
Universum spokesman Christoph Rybarczyk thinks differently. "It seems Corrie doesn't want to fight," he told the Sunday Times, adding that WBA champion John Ruiz had agreed to fight Vitali. Vitali is the top contender for the WBC and WBA belts.
But Universum's theory that Sanders does not want to fight makes absolutely no sense.
Sanders, who is seeking a big payday, ditched his WBO title for the WBC's No 2 ranking. This is the fight he wants. The purse bid, furthermore, means that Sanders-Klitschko is fait accompli.
Should either boxer pull out he would simply be replaced by the next highest available contender.
It seems the Germans don't want a purse bid, where they will probably compete against the likes of Don King and Bob Arum.
Johannesburg-based Golden Gloves this week said they too would make a substantial offer.
An industry insider believes Universum's threat is empty. "They're trying to bully Corrie."
But maybe the Germans think they can yet control three major versions of the world heavyweight title if Vitali wins the WBA belt, Sanders the WBC crown and Wladimir the vacant WBO title.
After the purse bid, Universum's contract with Sanders would kick in again and then they may find it easier to manipulate a Sanders-Klitschko bout at a cheaper price.
A complicating factor, however, is that their relationship with the Klitschko brothers has soured. Vitali is rumoured to be with new management in the US. Perhaps a firm grip on the heavyweight division would give them more leverage.
If they do walk away, it has to be with a good back-up plan - the WBC is the most prestigious of the world sanctioning bodies. And its heavyweight title, declared vacant after Lennox Lewis retired earlier this month, will give the new holder the claim to being the linear champion.
Fightnews.com quoted Universum saying they were puzzled by the "shilly-shally and changeable behaviour Sanders displays concerning fighting Vitali".
It's not puzzling. It's business.