Money in Boxing: why can’t Nottingham’s WBC champ buy a fight

Money is synonymous with boxing as with most other sports. Super-fights such as Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao only happen if the cash is plentiful and the terms desirable. This is not a new phenomenon, but has the personal pride of being the “King of the World” and “The Greatest” exemplified by the quotes of Muhammad Ali, been lost in favour of pay-days?

Since Carl Froch’s mesmerizing victory over Canadian Jean Pascal in front of a packed Trent FM Arena, Nottingham’s WBC champ has been struggling to line up an opponent for his first defence. As possessor of arguably the most prestigious belt in his division, the undefeated fighter has been linked with Joe Calzaghe, Kelly Pavlik, Mikkel Kessler and Jermain Taylor amongst others since December 6^th, but as yet his future still appears to be in limbo.

Taylor is the mandatory challenger set by the WBC, though the American and his team seem unwilling to go through with the fight which would, theoretically at least, propel him to the status of best in the world under 168lbs. On his website (cobraboxing.com), Froch said of Taylor that “his career is one big gravy train and he wants some more easy paydays before it grinds to a halt.”

The main stumbling block over the fight does appear to be money: not only are HBO – the Pay-Per-View channel Taylor is contracted to for his fights – reluctant for the bout to go ahead, with the preference being a fighter with a greater reputation in the States; but Taylor is thought to be demanding too much. Reports suggest the American is asking for almost twice the amount of money being offered to Froch, despite revenue tending to be split 70-30 in favour of a champion.

Froch was persistent in his desire to become a marquee fighter in the build up to the Pascal bout, and to be known for his trademark Cobra-Sting beyond the banks of the Trent. To some extent he achieved this: his epic contest with Pascal over 36-minutes was broadcast live on ITV1, and he certainly caught the attention of many across the UK. Moreover Lou Di Bella – Taylor’s promoter – ate his words and retracted the statement ‘who the Froch is Froch’. Though with networks dominating the sport, especially in the US, even though Froch holds the belt, for HBO the proposed fight would not draw the necessary figures. Consequently they will try their best to block the fight in favour of Taylor contesting a more lucrative rather than reputable fight.

Perhaps Froch is one of dying bread. He always speaks of how the WBC belt was his aim; and how along with promoter Mick Hennessy they went about their business ‘the proper way’: winning English, British and Commonwealth belts before making their assault on the World. They have never dodged a fight and now as WBC Champ, he should receive the recognition he deserves: big fights, against big fighters, which inevitably brings big pay-days.

Taylor is a big-name fighter, and deservedly so being a former undisputed Middleweight champion, which saw him twice defeat Bernard Hopkins. A match-up against Froch would be a tantalising battle – one which Bad Intentions should relish. Though it seems despite the image he portrays of being a great fighter, he has been particularly quiet on issues concerning the Cobra.

To prove to the world that he is the best would see him take the fight, and if he truly wanted to do this any obstacles which Di Bella or HBO put in his way would ultimately prove irrelevant. It should be inherent in the character of a boxer to be the best and secure this with belts as entering the ring with a sniff of self-doubt is a weakness which is more often than not exploited.

There is no doubt fighters deserve big money. That which is generated by the sport from television, tickets, sponsorship and so on is due to boxers putting their lives on the line. It is a dangerous and short career and Taylor is entitled to be compensated for the risk he takes every time he enters the ring. But to turn down a Froch fight, as he did last year when he decided to take on Jeff Lacy in a final-eliminator, would prove he respects money more than his own reputation.

To again quote one who took more risks than most, both in and out of the ring: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life”. If Taylor takes the Froch fight it will be a risk, of course, but they are there to be taken. It has the potential to cement his reputation in the history books as a world champion in a second weight division – one which will last, unlike the money he will get for taking on another, lesser fight.

Why not all of Spurs’ might be too Keane on Robbie

Robbie Keane this afternoon rejoined Tottenham, the club he left just over 6 months ago. Although he will undoubtedly improve the overall quality of Harry Redknapp’s squad on paper – will the Irish international be welcomed by all at White Hart Lane?
A lot has been written and said about Spurs’ transfer dealings in this latest window, with the return of Jermaine Defoe, Pascal Chimbonda and now Keane – the latter being the most controversial and surprising of the three.

Keane left in the summer after he claimed he wanted to move to a different club to seek trophies, in a similar fashion to his striking partner Dimitar Berbatov. However, he found it difficult to settle at Liverpool, and his omission from the squad for the crunch Premiership game against Chelsea at the weekend was a sure sign his days were numbered.

The fans will take a lot of persuading that Keane’s heart is at the club which he turned his back on. Despite having a scoring record of 80 goals in 197 Premiership appearances for the North London club, the mixed reception which he received when Liverpool visited White Hart Lane earlier this season suggests he will need to hit the ground running, and find the form which attracted interest from Rafa Benitez to win his place in the supporters’ hearts once again.

But more pressing for Tottenham’s relegation battle is the effect their latest transfer is going to have on another returning player – Jermaine Defoe. Defoe left North London with a heavy heart, with the need for first team football and his desire to fight his way back into the England set-up forcing him to move south and join Portsmouth – largely due to Keane keeping him out of the team. It was no surprise after Harry Redknapp moved to Spurs that Defoe would not be too far behind, and his promising return looked as if he was to be a crucial player in Tottenham’s fight against relegation.

However, just as Defoe has begun to look settled, the return of his nemesis for two seasons might spark a dressing room revolt. The England international – who interestingly is the only one of the three returning Spurs to cost more on his come-back than his departure – may well feel betrayed and disillusioned by the fact that if Redknapp follows the lead of his two predecessors, he will be set for more time on Tottenham’s bench than in the starting eleven. Defoe’s position is even more vulnerable given his recently diagnosed foot injury that will see him sidelined for at least three weeks, while Keane is likely to attempt to reassert his position as a Tottenham’ hero.

The Tottenham hierarchy will argue that they have successfully strengthened their attacking options, which were left weakened by Keane and then Berbatov’s deadline day move in September – which they have undoubtedly done – and that the return of both Defoe and Keane will add to the hunger and competitiveness of the squad which has perhaps been lacking.

For Defoe it is an unfortunate cruelty: one which could lead to a rift in the dressing room; or what Redknapp and the rest in N17 hope for – an inspired Defoe who will produce his best form which has warranted his now many big-money-transfers; and help to see Tottenham safely maintain their Premiership status.


Will Gilgrass - 2nd February 2009