Exclusive:Why Ali,Booth fight failed

Tony Booth's manager's insistence on having his share of the prize money expected to be earned by his ward from the fight against Bash Ali rather than flight complications had put paid to the jinxed World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight title bout.

Nigeria's Ali was to defend his WBF title against his British opponent yesterday in Lagos,but the fight,albeit for the third time in four months,had to be called off because of what Ali described as flight complications.

However, a source close to one of the promotion outfits behind the fight told nigeriasports.com that Booth's manager[names withheld] refused to allow the fighter honour the bout.

The source revealed:"Actually the fight would have held but for the taciturn posture of  Booth's manager on  the issue of  contract and prize money.

"As a matter of fact the contract signed between Booth and his manager expires this month and seems to be doubt of a renewal.In essence the manager, apparently trying to guard against a probable breach of  contract,decided to ask for his share of the money.

"He wanted the money upfront,it is in the region of  23,000 British pounds sterling.But the promoters were hesitant in making the money available,so that accounts for why Booth could not come for the fight.

"Indeed the fight would have held if not for the hardline posture of  the manager because the promoters had since sent five British Airways tickets to Tony Booth, for his entourage."

Ali was expected to pocket 150,000 pounds,one hundred percent more than Booth according to the agreement on prize money.

Meanwhile promoters of the fight,Daar Communications and Joy Unlimited,were said to have resolved to meet up with the demand of Booth's manager for  the fight to hold.

A staff of Daar Communications, it was learnt,left Lagos for London Saturday,armed with the money demanded by Booth's manager.    

You won't be able to add comments, unless you are logged in
Not Registered yet ? Click here to Register.