Taylor vs. Froch: Hennessy Says DiBella Won't Budge

[Asterix]

Promoter Mick Hennessy says he is frustrated because he can't seem to reach a deal with Lou DiBella to match Carl Froch and Jermain Taylor for the vacant WBC super middleweight title. The WBC ordered Taylor and Froch to fight each other for the vacant title, but DiBella and Taylor are more interested in landing the better known Jeff Lacy.

The WBC has set a purse bid deadline of August 1. Hennessy says that he's already made two offers to try and get a deal going. He says Taylor, or his camp, are looking for an easier fight.

”I’ve made Lou DiBella two offers: a $1million offer; and then a $1,250,000 offer. He turned the first one down and I’ve had zero reply to the second offer," Hennessy told Setanta Sports. "And they haven’t even yet made us an offer to go to the US. So, it is what is. They don’t fancy it and they’re looking for an easier fight. I don’t know whether it’s Jermain or the people around him but they don’t fancy the Carl Froch fight."

Hennessy is not happy with HBO's stance on the situation. They are not very interested in Froch and would rather see Taylor face Lacy, and DiBella says that is the biggest reason for their decision to target Lacy first, since HBO is buying the fight.

"The crazy thing about that is: why are the TV networks backing it up if Lou’s admitting it’s an easier fight," Hennessy said. "Surely people want to watch the best fights? Surely that’s what TV companies want? It’s a huge fight. We would love the Jermain Taylor fight because Carl wants to be in with the big names. We want to be in with the very best. We believe that Carl, whether it’s in the UK or the US, would not only beat Taylor in style, he’d also take him out inside the distance."

http://www.BS.com/?m=show&id=15038

[Asterix]

It's a shame, but I can't see Taylor fighting Froch any time soon. I just hope Froch gets a title shot and then some big fights.

[lefthook82]

So HBO want Taylor v Lacy. I gues they probably havent eevn heard of Froch. Just some eurotrash in their ignorant opinion I imagine

Now if Froch gets his hide over there and fights the likes of Sakia Biko, maybe HBO would have an idea of who he is and mandate that fight instead

American TV knew who Kessler was only after he took Andrade to school

Get a move on Mick. Also, those figures seem a bit low. I'm pretty sure Taylor is worth more than $1.25m dollars.

[Gray-Fox]

Shouldn't it be DiBella paying Hennessy? I don't understand how all this works tbh.

[Poncey]

HBO are backing it because Jeff Lacy is a Golden Boy fighter. Simple as.

[Flav1]

Yep. But Lacy is still a name, certainly more so than Froch in the US (perhaps by the casual boxing fan). Would be a great fight though. Not sure Froch has him though...

[Maelstrom]

Shouldn't it be DiBella paying Hennessy? I don't understand how all this works tbh.

Gray-Fox... the two parties have until August 1st as a 'free negotiation period'. This means they have the opportunity to come to a private agreement as to who will stage the fight. Hennessy could be paying DiBella, or vice versa.

If nothing can be agreed, the fight goes to purse bids on August 1st. Winner takes all. In effect, they have a deadline before a shoot-out!!

All that will happen though is DiBella will drag it out till the bid, then pull out Taylor. That starts the whole process again, but only once a new co-challenger has been appointed to Froch.

This is how fighters get pissed about and are made to wait for their shot. But it is what you have to do if you want to tread the proper path against the proper big boys. The alternative is, go for the WBO or WBU and if you are the dominant force, do what you want!

I think sometimes Hennessy gets criticised unfairy as he wants his boys to go the traditional route and delays happen - but only because of politics in situations like this. Ask Eastman.

But I think, as in this case, he sometimes overrates the importance of his fighters.

Real tough one. Got the easy money route for lesser titles or play the ratings game for a proper belt....

[twenty six]

Being cynical - if Hennessey wants to hang on to any TV deal he has ( any news ?) then he needs to stop being so high and mighty and get invloved with all of the sanctioning bodies.
If he's looking at a 10 fight ITV deal ( yet to be confirmed ) then how the hell is he gonna fill them by being so obstinate ?
Beyond Froch, who is the headliner ?
Breaks my heart to exclude Witter from that, but again being cynical, if you were a Sports Producer, would you have him headlining for big bucks ?
Maybe Hennessey's plan is for Froch to win WBC then defend it 9 times in 2 years.

[Gray-Fox]

Witter is his own worst enemy.

He blows hot and cold. He could be a wicked TV fighter in my opinion, it's just that he feels that so many forces are against him, that it would be safer to go out there and JUST WIN, and that way not risk losing his stature. Unfortunately, it went tits up against Bradley, who realistically should never have gotten near Witter.

[Autobarn]

The thing is, I really wish the WBC had shortened the negotiating period. They want their sanctioning fee, so they've put forth Inkin and Pascal in an eliminator, when the champion has yet to be settled.

Re Hennessy. I know what you mean with him and his traditional titles. For one, it may be a sign of pride, self respect and a desire to put on quality fights. On the other hand, his fighters have been on Sky for a while, and Sky have a demand for domestic/European title fights. If Mick has Froch (Froch only?) on ITV, then surely there will be no such restrictions on what titles can be fought for?

[Dioufy]

I so hope Lacy gets beat tonight.

[Autobarn]

I hope Lacy, at very least, looks like garbage.

Then again, that wouldn't stop DiBella, Taylor or HBO, would it?

[Loftgroov]

To the US PPV boxing audience the sun rises over New York and sets over Los Angeles. Sadly this is a fact that won't ever change....

Froch just needs to go over the US and have a fight or two over there to raise his profile.

Hatton basically had to do the same thing didn't he. Even when he beat Kostya there was no American clamour to get a Hatton fight shown on the US networks. It was only after the Castillo fight really.

In recent times, since when has boxing ever been about fighting "the best"?

Look at how many junior-welterweight/welterweight fighters still want to target a semi-shot Oscar De la Hoya rather than whoever is the genuine main man in the division.....

[jameswilson]

Being cynical - if Hennessey wants to hang on to any TV deal he has ( any news ?) then he needs to stop being so high and mighty and get invloved with all of the sanctioning bodies.
If he's looking at a 10 fight ITV deal ( yet to be confirmed ) then how the hell is he gonna fill them by being so obstinate ?
Beyond Froch, who is the headliner ?
Breaks my heart to exclude Witter from that, but again being cynical, if you were a Sports Producer, would you have him headlining for big bucks ?
Maybe Hennessey's plan is for Froch to win WBC then defend it 9 times in 2 years.

Ever heard of John Murray?

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

HBO are backing it because Jeff Lacy is a Golden Boy fighter. Simple as.

No, because they would rather have a fighter than can draw in the US than one that in all honestly wont......

[Loftgroov]

Ever heard of John Murray?

Not much of a TV draw is he in all honesty. Outside of hardcore boxing fans who the hell would want to see John Murray? He's one dimensional from what I've seen of him.

[sweetscience]

Hessensey couldnt fill a 10 fight card on primetime ITV... if they werent happy with the 7m??? Khan produced then who the hell is going to tune in.... how many members

only Calzaghe, Hatton, Khan and with some good PR Haye could bring in a few mill viewers

[THEBUTCH]

I just hope Hennessy/Froch don't accept step aside money.

If Taylor allows himself to be put into a far less meaningful fight in terms of competition, then that's his shame to carry around with him, Froch is ready, willing and able to conquer the world and he needs this WBC title tilt in the next 6 months IMO.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

I just hope Hennessy/Froch don't accept step aside money.

If Taylor allows himself to be put into a far less meaningful fight in terms of competition, then that's his shame to carry around with him, Froch is ready, willing and able to conquer the world and he needs this WBC title tilt in the next 6 months IMO.

Meanwhile, back on planet earth....

[Lenny]

I know it's for the WBC but come on guys, who the fornicate is Carl Froch? Lacy is a former champ, one being labeled as the next best thing, has only lost to Calzaghe and has some good names on his record. Froch hasn't had a big fight yet, doesn't deserve a title shot and hasn't gone as far as Euro title yet. Once you couple this with Lacy being a more marketable fight, the fight HBO want and one he doesn't have to fly over to Britain for, I can't believe anyone is surprised.

[Autobarn]

Froch has definitely gone to Euro level with a KO of Magee and a TKO of Tatevosyan (who held a win over then Euro champ Gogiya). The EBU champ right now is Karo Murat. Can anyone say Froch is not that level?

Such a shame what Inkin did. That fight, on Showtime, and Froch would be a bit further on by now.

[THEBUTCH]

Accept the fact or not, when Hennessy has had a world rated contender, he has delivered a top three world title shot.....he'll do it again for Froch IMO.

[Lenny]

Froch has definitely gone to Euro level with a KO of Magee and a TKO of Tatevosyan (who held a win over then Euro champ Gogiya). The EBU champ right now is Karo Murat. Can anyone say Froch is not that level?

Such a shame what Inkin did. That fight, on Showtime, and Froch would be a bit further on by now.

Magee and Tatevosyan are hardly leading euro fighters are they, and nowhere near likely to make anyone at HBO take note. It's people saying things like Taylor is going for Lacy because he is the easier fight is bullshit, it will gain Taylor more money, is a better name on his record, against an American opponent, in the states and Froch is yet to prove he is Lacy's level, let alone better than him

[twenty six]

Of course I've heard of Murray, James.
But a headliner, live on ITV with 7k in the arena ?
I don't think so.

[Autobarn]

Froch has definitely gone to Euro level with a KO of Magee and a TKO of Tatevosyan (who held a win over then Euro champ Gogiya). The EBU champ right now is Karo Murat. Can anyone say Froch is not that level?

Such a shame what Inkin did. That fight, on Showtime, and Froch would be a bit further on by now.

Magee and Tatevosyan are hardly leading euro fighters are they, and nowhere near likely to make anyone at HBO take note. It's people saying things like Taylor is going for Lacy because he is the easier fight is bullshit, it will gain Taylor more money, is a better name on his record, against an American opponent, in the states and Froch is yet to prove he is Lacy's level, let alone better than him

I agree on the HBO bit.

But many feel Magee beat Tsypko (who many feel beat Lacy... I know, let's not go into that) and wasn't that for the EBU title?

EBU level right now is Murat and Sanavia - froch certainly has the beating of them.

Anyway, Taylor has been paid so much to beat light middles, that he will want a lot - too much - to fight unbeaten super middleweight bangers.

A shame that the world title didn't tempt Taylor. Hopefully the WBC will at least put Froch in an Interim fight. Then the WBC can make money from the Interim fight, and the elim, & at least froch stays busy.