Saturday, March 27, 2010

A. Peterson Cheated Out of Title Shot!

The politics of boxing strike their ugly head once again. ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that promoter Bob Arum has had a change of plans and will not match undefeated and number one contender Anthony Peterson in a title shot against newly-crowned WBC Lightweight champ Humberto Soto on June 5 at Yankee Stadium in New York that was scheduled to be televised on HBO.

"It isn't going to be Soto-Peterson on that card," Arum told ESPN.com. Apparently, Soto wants to fight in Mexico and is looking to go that route.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bob Arum is a first class scumbag and along with King and De La Hoya are what is wrong with boxing today. Time to get these promoters banned from the sport!

FRD Inc. said...

According to Ralph Pinado it was Barry Hunter an adviser to Peterson that has rubbed Top Rank the wrong way. Therefore, before you insult all promoters, you need to look at the root of the problem. Actually, if you recall, the same team has experianced these difficulties before with each and every promoter that has worked with them. Are they all scumbags?

Anonymous said...

yea and you are too!

FRD Inc. said...

My point exactly. Everyone is a scumbag except you. Have a nice day. Run Forset Run!!!

Alec Kohut said...

It does highlight one of the major problems with boxing. Even though Rex Ryan rubs alot of people the the wrong way, his Jets still have an equal chance to go to the Super Bowl. Gary's right, it's all politics.

Anonymous said...

Could you please explain how Anthony was cheated out of a title shot?
Did he have a signed contract to fight Soto on a particular day and time?
And if it was somebody else from another area would you be saying the same things you're saying now Gary?
He was only cheated if he had a signed contract for the fight.

Signed
Many personalities

Anonymous said...

first he is the number 1 contender second he was promised the title shot because his last fight was a title eliminater,u know the politics of boxing is as shady as pro wrestling match and thats fake,i think we have a lot of vince mcmahons in the boxing business some of these promoters out the game they killing the sport,arum,king,delaWHOREYA.and stop jerking fighters around.

Gary Digital Williams said...

To add to that, the fight DID have a date and location -- June 5 at Yankee Stadium. And yes, I would have said that if it was someone from outside the Beltway.

Anonymous said...

Don't be touchy guys.
These are valid points I brought up.I am not trying to question anybodys integrity.
I don't care what he was promised
words mean nothing.Show me the contract! Show me the money! I have enjoyed The Peterson brothers and have pulled for them and their coach since they were
children.Their story is great and their coach has did an outstanding job.No matter what you do your going to be critisized
so those on here who are starting to give Barry Hunter a bad rap should always remember what this man did for these two boys and I can assure you he will continue to
have their best interest at heart.
Anthony's time will come and it's not far off.

Signed
Many personalities

Anonymous said...

This is what confuses the hell out of me. WTF is the reason for #1 contender rankings if the #1 contender can be passed over for a title shot?? Boxing commissions need to get together on this one because it just doesn't make sense.

While they talking about that, they need to get together and get rid of these freaking THREE POUND WEIGHT DIVISIONS!!!! I think there are actually a few two pound weight divisions as well.

Anonymous said...

just a curious fan is the petersons even still signed with top rank, man i was looking at the top rank line up of fighters and i see them nowhere on the roster help me out Digital.

Gary Digital Williams said...

Yes, the Petersons are still with Top Rank.

Anonymous said...

man you are quick thanks

Anonymous said...

Gary, what is your thoughts on these two and three pound weight divisions in boxing?? What purpose do they serve?? We need real champions and fighters willing to unify these titles.

Anonymous said...

Was there a contract?

Anonymous said...

^^^ May or may not have been a contract but regardless, why did Bob Arum feel the need to come out and say this if he knew he gave people the STRONG impression that A Pete would get the winner of Soto and whoever the hell he fought last (was it Diaz). Also, A Pete is the number one contender for that belt, a contract should not matter what so ever.

Anonymous said...

It is odd that the Peterson's are no longer listed on the TOP RANK web site???????
What say you ??? Gary

Gary Digital Williams said...

Just spoke to Barry Hunter. The Petersons are STILL with Top Rank. Hunter calls his relationship with Bob Arum a strong one and the bout Lamont Peterson is fighting on April 10 in Las Vegas is a Top Rank show.

From reports I'm starting to see, this may have been Humberto Soto's call and not Arum's -- meaning that Soto may have taken the option to have a "tune-up fight before facing Anthony Peterson.

Hunter says that he will talk to Arum when in Vegas next week and he should know more then.

As far as the question about weight divisions, I wish there were less like there were in the early days of the sport. However, it gives more boxers opportunities, for better or worse.

Anonymous said...

A contract should not matter whatsoever!

What world are you living in Bucko?

Anonymous said...

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