BBBofC back FW over Steven Smith dispute

[The Insider]

Taken from FW website....

The British Boxing Board of Control have today decided that British Super-Featherweight Champion Stephen Smith will not be allowed to defend his title on any promotion other than that of his promoter allegedly, which is scheduled for Saturday 7th December at the Liverpool Echo Arena.


Earlier this month, Smith announced that he would participate in the defence of his title against Gary Sykes on Saturday 23rd November in Manchester on a show promoted by Eddie Hearn.

However, Smith and Hearn chose to ignore the fact that the BBBofC has already formally sanctioned the fight to take place at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday 7th December.

Robert Smith, the General Secretary of the BBBofC, today stated that until the Board has heard the dispute and made a decision Stephen Smith "will not be able to appoint another person to act on his behalf as manager nor will he be able to negotiate with others on his own behalf. It follows that, prior thereto, the Board will not allow him to participate in a contest arranged by a third party."

Should any party wish to engage the services of Stephen Smith, they should contact allegedly.

[maley1984]

Looks like smith will b stripped then. Guessing the board will make gary sykes v liam walsh for the vacant title.

[daviddee]

If Liam Walsh takes that fight. He didn't fight Flannigan when it was mandated!! Be interesting to see what happens about this. Got to feel sorry for Gary Sykes he has done everything right!! Can't see this title being fought for until after the New Year!! Looks like Smith won't get to fight for Matchroom either as clearly without Warrens approval the board won't sanction a fight!! Nightmare for Smith but he made his bed

[hurlock]

Was fw his manager??? Sad state of affairs this.

[palooka]

There was a thread about another boxer who had joined matchroom and a poster who knew about sports contracts made it seem that in boxing it was pretty straightforward to leave a manager and strike out with a new one; I wonder when the Board will meet to hear the dispute?

[daviddee]

It depends what kind of contract your signed too.. I have seen a couple and their is no way out!! It's the same as everything you sign a contract it's legally binding.. In this case I'm guessing that Smith would of signed a contract to fight Buckland with a 4/5 fight option of he wins!! Obviously I'm just speculating but that's the norm for the promoter. From what I hear he is managed by Warren so I'm guessing the board will not let him go end of the day Warren got him the British title shot how can he say he's not delivered. Be interested to see what comes of this

[geoffburt07]

Bit of a mess the whole thing. So Smith needs to defend on a Warren show or vacate title?

[maley1984]

Bit of a mess the whole thing. So Smith needs to defend on a Warren show or vacate title?

Yeah which won't happen its gary sykes I feel sorry for. He will then hav to wait for the board to pick another opponent then purse bids cud b along wait like davidee said eariler in the thread. Imo it will b walsh but I've heard rumours his looking at a bigger fight. So leaves it wide open kays just won english. Male and james meet in a eliminator for british title later this month. Ben jones ronnie clark wud also b in the mix maybe even gary buckland

[expe]

Bit of a mess the whole thing. So Smith needs to defend on a Warren show or vacate title?

Yeah which won't happen its gary sykes I feel sorry for. He will then hav to wait for the board to pick another opponent then purse bids cud b along wait like davidee said eariler in the thread. Imo it will b walsh but I've heard rumours his looking at a bigger fight. So leaves it wide open kays just won english. Male and james meet in a eliminator for british title later this month. Ben jones ronnie clark wud also b in the mix maybe even gary buckland

Warren will most likely put an opponent forward, the board will accept it and the fight will go ahead on December 7, most of the potential opponents are with Warren, small hall promoters and Buckland is with Hatton, who would let him box on Warren's show.

[daviddee]

Bit of a mess the whole thing. So Smith needs to defend on a Warren show or vacate title?

Yeah which won't happen its gary sykes I feel sorry for. He will then hav to wait for the board to pick another opponent then purse bids cud b along wait like davidee said eariler in the thread. Imo it will b walsh but I've heard rumours his looking at a bigger fight. So leaves it wide open kays just won english. Male and james meet in a eliminator for british title later this month. Ben jones ronnie clark wud also b in the mix maybe even gary buckland

Warren will most likely put an opponent forward, the board will accept it and the fight will go ahead on December 7, most of the potential opponents are with Warren, small hall promoters and Buckland is with Hatton, who would let him box on Warren's show.

Can't see it being Buckland. Think he was weight drained v Smith. Would expect him to fight at lightweight.. Male v James is an eliminator so prob too soon for either.. Ben Jones just got beat.. I'm guessing will be between Joe Murray and Stephen Foster Jnr with an outside chance of Clark or Kay's.. My money is on Joe Murray..

[Jakemilo]

John Simpson only fighting coyle because he couldn't get a fight

[maley1984]

h which won't happen its gary sykes I feel sorry for. He will then hav to wait for the board to pick another opponent then purse bids cud b along wait like davidee said eariler in the thread. Imo it will b walsh but I've heard rumours his looking at a bigger fight. So leaves it wide open kays just won english. Male and james meet in a eliminator for british title later this month. Ben jones ronnie clark wud also b in the mix maybe even gary buckland[/quote]
Warren will most likely put an opponent forward, the board will accept it and the fight will go ahead on December 7, most of the potential opponents are with Warren, small hall promoters and Buckland is with Hatton, who would let him box on Warren's show.[/quote]

Can't see it being Buckland. Think he was weight drained v Smith. Would expect him to fight at lightweight.. Male v James is an eliminator so prob too soon for either.. Ben Jones just got beat.. I'm guessing will be between Joe Murray and Stephen Foster Jnr with an outside chance of Clark or Kay's.. My money is on Joe Murray..[/quote]


That's not a bad shout in murray if walsh is out the equation. But can u fight for british title on the back of a defeat tho

[expe]

Yeah which won't happen its gary sykes I feel sorry for. He will then hav to wait for the board to pick another opponent then purse bids cud b along wait like davidee said eariler in the thread. Imo it will b walsh but I've heard rumours his looking at a bigger fight. So leaves it wide open kays just won english. Male and james meet in a eliminator for british title later this month. Ben jones ronnie clark wud also b in the mix maybe even gary buckland

Warren will most likely put an opponent forward, the board will accept it and the fight will go ahead on December 7, most of the potential opponents are with Warren, small hall promoters and Buckland is with Hatton, who would let him box on Warren's show.

Can't see it being Buckland. Think he was weight drained v Smith. Would expect him to fight at lightweight.. Male v James is an eliminator so prob too soon for either.. Ben Jones just got beat.. I'm guessing will be between Joe Murray and Stephen Foster Jnr with an outside chance of Clark or Kay's.. My money is on Joe Murray..

Murray's with Warren so he'll make the request to the board, it'll be accepted and lined up for December 7. John Simpson's fought for the British title off the back of defeats on a couple of occasions so I can't see that being an issue. It hasn't been ruled out that Smith won't defend the title yet either, the board have said the contract is valid and there's no breach, so while it's unlikely, he could still choose to defend the title. The fight could also be moved onto the Hall-Malinga undercard on the 21st, which would suit Sykes since it's closer to home.

[DMA1987]

Warren has probably just kissed goodbye to Liam and Paul.

[JamieM]

FW is a 100% in the right in this case, he delivered for Stephen Smith and would be able to push him forward the exact same route as fast car. I believe Joe Murray will get the shot if Walsh doesnt take it. Also think that Anthony Cacace might be in with a shout of a shot. I knew he was meant to fight an eliminator soon and hes highly rated and will take the fight:)

[gobbles]

Problem for the Board is the British title fight was agreed with them already. It is a bit like if a promoter wins a purse bid, the boxers can't just decide to have the same fight with another promoter

[maley1984]

FW is a 100% in the right in this case, he delivered for Stephen Smith and would be able to push him forward the exact same route as fast car. I believe Joe Murray will get the shot if Walsh doesnt take it. Also think that Anthony Cacace might be in with a shout of a shot. I knew he was meant to fight an eliminator soon and hes highly rated and will take the fight:)

Who has anthony cacace got to fight in a eliminator

[lefty]

Warren has probably just kissed goodbye to Liam and Paul.

In this case though like Jamie M says, I think he's in the right. If you have a contract you cant just walk out of it.

[The Insider]

In this case though like Jamie M says, I think he's in the right. If you have a contract you cant just walk out of it.

You can and he will. The only things to sort out will be what titles Smith is allowed to fight for (if any) and possibly how Frank would like his 25% fee.

[daviddee]

In this case though like Jamie M says, I think he's in the right. If you have a contract you cant just walk out of it.

You can and he will. The only things to sort out will be what titles Smith is allowed to fight for (if any) and possibly how Frank would like his 25% fee.

Well that's not exactly walking away is it? He will be made to pay. Warren could hold him too it but I'm sure an agreement will happen. Why would Paul and Liam go it's just business at the end of the day.. I know I don't get on with certain people but my brothers may speak to them work with them... It would be good if Smith and Hearn done the right thing vacated and sorted it out with Warren then Sykes can get the fight he deserves.. Is Cacacae not fighting in America now can't see it being him.

[ThereByTheGrace]

You would think Hearn would be dilligent enough to check fighters contracts before bringing them over to his stable and announcing fights!

He stuffed John Ryder with paperwork for the BJS fight too. Not very professional.

Surely he knows dealing with allegedly is a legal minefield.

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Not a peep from Paul Smith or Joe Gallagher. Things must be very tense with the Smiths and FW.

[DMA1987]

In this case though like Jamie M says, I think he's in the right. If you have a contract you cant just walk out of it.

You can and he will. The only things to sort out will be what titles Smith is allowed to fight for (if any) and possibly how Frank would like his 25% fee.

Well that's not exactly walking away is it? He will be made to pay. Warren could hold him too it but I'm sure an agreement will happen. Why would Paul and Liam go it's just business at the end of the day.. I know I don't get on with certain people but my brothers may speak to them work with them... It would be good if Smith and Hearn done the right thing vacated and sorted it out with Warren then Sykes can get the fight he deserves.. Is Cacacae not fighting in America now can't see it being him.

Yeah to be honest I never buy the 'just business' line. Its not true, it's his life, of course that's personal. A little deeper and more consequential than 'don't get on with' too.

[The Insider]

In this case though like Jamie M says, I think hes right. If you have a contract you cant just walk out of it.

You can and he will. The only things to sort out will be what titles Smith is allowed to fight for (if any) and possibly how Frank would like his 25% fee.

Well that's not exactly walking away is it? He will be made to pay. Warren could hold him too it but I'm sure an agreement will happen. Why would Paul and Liam go it's just business at the end of the day.. I know I don't get on with certain people but my brothers may speak to them work with them... It would be good if Smith and Hearn done the right thing vacated and sorted it out with Warren then Sykes can get the fight he deserves.. Is Cacacae not fighting in America now can't see it being him.

Well if he's not fighting who, when and where FW says it's pretty much over then I'd say. The payment side probably to all intents and purpose won't effect Smith as he would have to pay "somebody" Regardless.

[palooka]

Yeah to be honest I never buy the 'just business' line. Its not true, it's his life, of course that's personal. A little deeper and more consequential than 'don't get on with' too.[/quote]

I wonder if ever the managers or promoters are personally hurt when a fighter leaves them; it seems like it is often assumed that the manager/promoter is the greedy villain and the boxer is the one wrong done by. I imagine that some managers get 'close' to a boxer and likes them personally, some probably go over and beyond to try and help and get them into a better position, when the boxer wants out of the relationship I reckon it must hurt a bit.