BoxRec

Here's a copy of the response I have recieved from Corey Spinks's manager concerning the IBF Belt, considering Hare is ranked 4th with the organisation I thought people might be interested.

Hey Stu,

Sorry for not responding sooner. I haven't seen James Hare fight but I have been tracking him on the net and in the ratings. From the fight reports, he appears to switch back and forth from lefty to righty and KO wins over Holland and Bergman are impressive.

Regarding an eliminator, King has already arranged for Hercules Kyvelos and Rafael Pineda to fight for the number one spot. If I were Hare's management, I would have raised an objection to that (seeing as how he is rated above both fighters) and tried to get myself in the mix. Now it appears that Hare will have to wait until at least late 2004 to get a shot.

Mayorga-Spinks is not a done deal yet as we are waiting for DK and Cedric Kushner to work out a deal for the Tua-Rahman fight. Bally's Casino in Atlantic City is willing to put up a generous site fee for a card that features Tua-Rahman, Mayorga-Spinks and Hopkins-Joppy but they won't do it if King doesn't get Tua-Rahman.

Otherwise, I suppose Cory will be fighting the winner of Kyvelos-Pineda buried on some long undercard.

Nice detective work, Stu. IF Mayorga and Spinks clash you have to fancy Mayorga winning. Well, Hare better hope so otherwise there would probably be a rematch which would keep him waiting more. If Mayorga wins he'd probably vacate and move up to light middle which would leave the welterweight division wide open.

Spinks' manager raised a very good point. Why are two lower ranked fighters meeting to contest the IBF's mandatory challenger's spot? Surely it should be Hare ranked 4, and Thomas Daamgard ranked 3 who should be slugging it out instead? Spots 1 and 2 are currently unoccupied.

I really hope James Hare and his team aspire to push themselves to the absolute limit of his capabilities. I hope they don't become satisfied just because James has done well to win a minor version of the world title. People like Jawaid Khaliq, Brian Magee and Ricky Hatton seem all too pleased to keep hold of their minor world belts as long as the money is coming in.

It sets a dangerous precedent whereby they are overlooked when "real" world title eliminators are decided upon. I don't have any firm evidence of this, it's more of a gut feeling. I'd just hate Hare's management to be content with their lot.

Lightsoot,


You raised some critical issues, and I for one complete agree with what you say. Incidently, so does Corey's Spinks manager. Here's a further response when I asked him could I forward Tea his response (decided to do it on the board instead).

"Definitely forward my response to him. He should protect his fighter's rights. It should by all rights be Hare vs. Damgaard for the no. 1 spot in the IBF. They are the top two contenders. He shouldn't let DKP steamroll the IBF (like he steamrolled the WBA into screwing Damgaard out of a shot at that belt). If Damgaard vs. Hare ever comes off, I'd love to see a tape of it. "

That sounds like a mammoth card they are putting on! I predict Mayorga will stop Spinks, Hare V Spinks would be interesting though.