PURSE BIDDING WAR FOR TITLE DEFENCE AFTER CAMPS STUMBLE
A battle of the pockets will precede Zolani Tete’s world title defence against John Riel Casimero after their promoters failed to reach an agreement
A battle of the pockets will precede Zolani Tete’s world title defence against John Riel Casimero after their promoters failed to reach an agreement about the fight.
Last week the World Boxng Organisation (WBO) sent both camps memos advising them to conclude negotiation within 10 days failing which the fight would be opened to purse bids.
Tete, of Mdantsane, is promoted in England by Queensberry Promotions, while Casimero’s career is guided by Manny Pacquiao Promotions
(MPP).
The two camps failed to reach an agreement and now the promotions rights of the fight will be determined by the purse bids in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Tete’s manager Mla Tengimfene said he was happy for the rights to be decided by the purse bids.
“We obviously could not reach an agreement so rather we go to purse bids,” he said.
According to the purse bids terms, a minimum of $100,000 (R1.4m) will be required with the purse split going to Tete by 75%.
In the event of Casimero’s promoter winning the bid and organise the fight in Philippines Tete will be entitled to a 80% of cash.
Tete, 31, has not fought since October 13 when he beat Russian Mikhail Aloyan in the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) which also served as the voluntary defence of his WBO bantamweight title.
He was scheduled to engage in a unification title fight against another Filipino Nonito Donaire in April in Las Vegas, but withdrew from the fight due to injury.
The fight was to serve as the semifinals of the WBSS.
While Tete has been idle, the WBO created an interim title with Casimero winning it by knocking out Mexican Ricardo Espinoza Franco in April this year.
We obviously could not reach an agreement so rather we go to purse bids