COMMONWEALTH CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
CIRCULAR
The Commonwealth Boxing Council is appalled at the circumstances which led to the cancellation of the proposed voluntary defence by Rob Norton against Akinyeme Laleye of Nigeria scheduled for Fenton, Stoke, England last Friday 13th November.
Despite the Promoter, Hatton Promotions, having in their possession a signed contract for the contest the boxer apparantly demanded more money and an argument developed.In such circumstances the CBC would support the decision of any Promoter not to submit to what, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, appears to be akin to blackmail.Any boxer who is unhappy with the purse on offer should not agree to box in the first case and should certainly not travel, as Laleye did, from the United States, without all negotiations being concluded satisfactorally
The Commonwealth Boxing Council strives to create opportunities for Boxers throughout the Commonwealth and such conduct is detrimental to these aims and to the prospects for other challengers many of whom will come from backgrounds where few are available.The British Boxing Board of Control will undoubtedly consider this matter themselves but subject to any representations from or on behalf of Laleye the CBC will not sanction him in any further Commonwealth Championships until the Directors have had an opportunity to review all the circumstances during the course of their Interim Meeting in London next Spring
SIMON BLOCK
Hon Secretary
Commonwealth Boxing Council
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