BoxRec

“First of all, I feel sorry for the team of the Commerzbank-Arena and for the boxing fans in the Frankfurt region. We will try to set up another Klitschko fight in this wonderful arena as soon as possible. Also for us, the cancellation was very surprising as we got informed about it through the media. Haye’s manager Adam Booth did not even have the courage to give me a call personally and tell me about their decision – for me a sign of his inexistent class. Background of the pull-out are definitely the bad pay-per-view-TV figures of BSkyB in England”, says Bernd Bönte, Managing Director of the Klitschko Management Group.

The last fights of Ricky Hatton and new English shooting star Amir Khan (last weekend against Andreas Kotelnik) both had very poor sales on TV (Khan vs. Kotelnik less than 30.000 viewers). It was Haye’s desire to base his purse on the British TV earnings.

“Haye and his manager, whose home base is in the Turkish part of Cyprus for fiscal reasons, seem to have realized all of a sudden, that we have a global economic depression and English boxing fans are not that easily willing to pay 15 pounds for a bout. All the excuses of adhesion contracts are complete rubbish as Haye had already signed the same contract for the fight against Wladimir in June, which also contained a usual rematch clause and a pure Klitschko option. And for that fight he also pulled out. By the way, Vitali and myself attended Haye’s last fight against Monte Barrett at the O2 Arena in London. There were possibly 6.000 fans in a 20.000 seat arena. The guy is not a big draw in England at all. We were always surprised that he expected to get 2.7 million pounds out of the English pay-per-view sales for a fight against Vitali or Wladimir”, states Bönte further.

Wladimir Klitschko: ”Already during the negotiations for my June fight, we realized quickly that Haye and Booth are very unprofessional. Booth might be a good trainer but as a manager he is simply incompetent. David always had a big mouth and tried to offend us with ridiculous self-made t shirts. But when it comes up to step into the ring and show what he’s got, he runs away. He even admits that fighting Valuev is the easier way. For me Haye is a little, inexperienced kid who is afraid of his own courage. Doubtless, my brother would have knocked him out within the first four rounds.”

Klitschko Management Group has already started negotiating with potential opponents for Vitali’s next title defense. As soon as there are any news we will let you know immediately.

The guy is not a big draw in England at all. We were always surprised that he expected to get 2.7 million pounds out of the English pay-per-view sales for a fight against Vitali or Wladimir”, states Bönte further.

”Already during the negotiations for my June fight, we realized quickly that Haye and Booth are very unprofessional. Booth might be a good trainer but as a manager he is simply incompetent.

Spud wrote:Its not like Team Kltischko to shout the odds - two statements from them are bound to get some form of reaction and are worthy of discussion!!!

The guy is not a big draw in England at all. We were always surprised that he expected to get 2.7 million pounds out of the English pay-per-view sales for a fight against Vitali or Wladimir”, states Bönte further.

”Already during the negotiations for my June fight, we realized quickly that Haye and Booth are very unprofessional. Booth might be a good trainer but as a manager he is simply incompetent.

Do you think they are unfair comments from Team Kltischko?

twenty six wrote:Well Mr Boxingchat was asked the direct question on the thread "Half Full Venue" but someone locked the thread giving him the perfect excuse not to answer
So now we know.
All we need now are the official attendance figures, then we can do the maths.

boxingchat wrote:

twenty six wrote:Well Mr Boxingchat was asked the direct question on the thread "Half Full Venue" but someone locked the thread giving him the perfect excuse not to answer
So now we know.
All we need now are the official attendance figures, then we can do the maths.

If you are so good at maths why don't you help Ryan Rhodes count his earnings of late, shouldn't take too long should it? By the way has his Manager come round yet?

Deserter wrote:

boxingchat wrote:

twenty six wrote:Well Mr Boxingchat was asked the direct question on the thread "Half Full Venue" but someone locked the thread giving him the perfect excuse not to answer
So now we know.
All we need now are the official attendance figures, then we can do the maths.

If you are so good at maths why don't you help Ryan Rhodes count his earnings of late, shouldn't take too long should it? By the way has his Manager come round yet?

Wonderful avoidance of the question, as per normal.

boxingchat wrote:

twenty six wrote:Well Mr Boxingchat was asked the direct question on the thread "Half Full Venue" but someone locked the thread giving him the perfect excuse not to answer
So now we know.
All we need now are the official attendance figures, then we can do the maths.

If you are so good at maths why don't you help Ryan Rhodes count his earnings of late, shouldn't take too long should it? By the way has his Manager come round yet?

TheCobra wrote:I don't blame Haye tbh, the Klitschkos are trying to hang him out to dry. I think haye has realised he's selling himself short, the fight for him vs Wlad sold out very quick and it was off the back of him as well as Wlad. Why sell his soul when he can get better money and better chance vs Valuev. I see it as an excellent business decision. Well done Haye and Booth.

s9s wrote:

TheCobra wrote:I don't blame Haye tbh, the Klitschkos are trying to hang him out to dry. I think haye has realised he's selling himself short, the fight for him vs Wlad sold out very quick and it was off the back of him as well as Wlad. Why sell his soul when he can get better money and better chance vs Valuev. I see it as an excellent business decision. Well done Haye and Booth.

Haye selling himself short? I think he should realise that by pulling out of the first Klit fight peed off many UK punters who had staked out money for it, especially when he cited a back injury when we all knew the truth.

I'm afraid holding out for money means to me he does not want the glory, just the money. He'll beat Valuev, and defend against a few journey men, all the time saying the Klits won't fight him and the gullible public believing him. And here we are complaining about tv pulling out of the sport, and you wonder why?

lefthook82 wrote:become mandatory and a rematch clause cant be activated and you also get 25% of the purse bids

Problem solved?

What is with us workshy brits?

Haye is the 'Vicky Pollard' of the boxing world. Wants to collect benefits without working for it. 22 fights in how many years as a pro. And unlike Calzaghe/Froch in the early years I dont recall haye being struckk down by persistent injuries/pull outs