Show cancelled by police due to terrorist intelligence

[Looking On]

Ill start by saying i know some dont care as its MBC. If thats you feel free to not bring that crap into this discussion.


Boxrec member and friend of mine Damian Hucker has had his may 7th event cancelled due to intelligence from the police of armed men coming to attack a boxer.
Things a bit sketchy at the moment, but from his facebook post its being treated as a terrorism threat.

This is something that needs erradicating from sport in general, recently something similar happened at a junior aba show i believe.

Doesnt matter whos event or who is sanctioning. Obviously the priority has been to ensure the safety of the boxer, who hasnt been indicated as yet.

I feel for Damian as i know its cost him money that hes not going to get back now along with the boxers themselves who obviously now miss out on earning.

The show itself was set for a sell out, albeit only small hall, but he is known for packing a few punters into his events. It was set to include the pro debut of the exceptional Gary Mayor along with a 10 round MBC title bout for Nathan Decastro and another boxrec poster, 2-0 Carwyn Herbert amongst others.

The venue were so keen to ensure they didnt lose the event (obviously they make a lot at the bar etc) that they offered to cover the cost of extra security but this was turned down by the police, who didnt want to take any sort of risk.

Hes got meetings scheduled to hopefully rearrange another date, but im not sure in light of this that it will be allowed to be rescheduled and i would guess the whole event will have to be scrapped.

[mfc_se15]

Where was the show meant to be?

[Looking On]

Where was the show meant to be?

Nottingham

[Sklar]

Disappointing for Damo, he seems to get more than his fair share of bad luck.

Can anybody flesh this one out a bit? Intended victim(s), suspected organisation, etc?

[Looking On]

I phoned him this morning and didnt get any more info than what is written in his statement on facebook, which ill post below.

As many of you now know Yesterday evening Nottinghamshire police/Rushcliffe Borough Council withdrew the license for my MBC/BIBA sanctioned May 7th event at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre. This was through no fault of anyone involved in the event though. Police had received intelligence that indicated armed men would be targeting one of the boxers. No mention of who the target may be was stated, nor was any indication of what they meant by armed. This could be as far ranging as you could imagine it to be, but the police have obviously had to see it as being the high end of the threat scale. For all we know and probably most likely, it could just be a hoax call but that the police have felt obliged to act as any threat in a public place is considered to be a threat of terrorism. Im absolutely gutted as are many of the boxers ive spoken to last night and this morning. A meeting is planned for the beginning of next week to figure out if a new date can be scheduled or if the show is to be completely shelved. The venue themselves even offered to pay to beef up security but the police wouldnt accept the offer. Its of course cost me a few quid that ill likely be unable to recuperate but as people who know me will be aware, that isnt the main concern for me. im more disappointed that the boxers specifically those boxing pro, have had their careers stalled temporarily. Although thats just it, it is only temporary, as we wont let idiots stop us. Theres big things in the pipeline and this will ultimately just end up being seen as nothing more than a pebble in the road. Ill update with more information when it is known, but for now all i can do is apologise to all the boxers, staff and spectators, and to my other half who has to endure my stressing out. This will only make our team more determined to succeed. We had opponents flying over from Ghana, Latvia and Ireland as well as from around the UK, so its obviously a major inconvenience to them too, although of course their safety is the ultimate concern and that has had to be considered the priority in all of this.

[Sklar]

Hmm. Terrorism unlikely IMO. Who was on the left hand side of the card?

[Looking On]

Hmm. Terrorism unlikely IMO. Who was on the left hand side of the card?

From that i think its considered terrorism due to being a public place even though they may have only been after 1 guy.

The left side for pros, were Nathan Decastro, Gary Mayor, Carwyn Herbert, Ian Clarke and Gary Silverman but also a plethora of local lads on the undercard doing white collar/ semi pro

[Sklar]

Any of them (been) involved in anything nefarious that you know of?

[Looking On]

I wouldnt know to be totally honest, maybe one of the undercard lads

[Sklar]

Nathan Decastro got in trouble a couple of years back but the key witness/alleged victim (a female) was a no show in court. Anything ever come of that?

[Tommy Gunn13]

I'm sure Gary Mayor got a lengthy prison sentence some years back, not sure what for though as could never find anything on the net about it..
Quality boxer & I'm sure like most he deserves another chance
Just seen what he done

[DecastroBoxer]

I was fighting on the show (Nathan Decastro) proper gutted about the show been called off sold loads of tickets and now I gotta go round meeting everybody to reimburse them. It's a shame some people set out to ruin others careers wether it was a hoax or actually some1 willing to carry out an attack. The incident with the assault on a girl was ridiculous, I had a minor scuffle with a lad and his bird chucked a drink and slapped me lol I simply pushed her away which nowadays counts as assault. The lass was embarrassed (I'm guessing) and didn't turn up. The report online doesn't say the exact story just so they can sell a few papers and make me look bad. That will not be the reason for the threat I my self am guessing it's a hoax although something as serious as this has got to be taken seriously and not be brushed under the carpet

[Sklar]

I was fighting on the show (Nathan Decastro) proper gutted about the show been called off sold loads of tickets and now I gotta go round meeting everybody to reimburse them. It's a shame some people set out to ruin others careers wether it was a hoax or actually some1 willing to carry out an attack. The incident with the assault on a girl was ridiculous, I had a minor scuffle with a lad and his bird chucked a drink and slapped me lol I simply pushed her away which nowadays counts as assault. The lass was embarrassed (I'm guessing) and didn't turn up. The report online doesn't say the exact story just so they can sell a few papers and make me look bad. That will not be the reason for the threat I my self am guessing it's a hoax although something as serious as this has got to be taken seriously and not be brushed under the carpet

Thanks for clearing that up and all the best with your boxing. Maybe one of the other lads has enemies.

[CharlesListon]

Why not just pull the potential target boxer from the show?

[Cazelo]

I was due to be on this and am absolutely gutted that my career has been stalled as an effect of it. Its more than likely a petty hoax or chinese whispers.

I understand that police have to take every precaution with matters like this though as if something were to happen where they could have prevented it then it would be catastrophic.

[magwitch]

Why do they want to shoot him at a venue where the promoter likes to pack them in? Do they not know which corner shop he uses? The event should go ahead and put security checks on points of access.

[CharlesListon]

Why do they want to shoot him at a venue where the promoter likes to pack them in? Do they not know which corner shop he uses? The event should go ahead and put security checks on points of access.

Yep. ..or just pull the target from the bill and let everyone else box as planned.

[Stuarty]

Damn those pesky terrorists!

[Cazelo]

Why do they want to shoot him at a venue where the promoter likes to pack them in? Do they not know which corner shop he uses? The event should go ahead and put security checks on points of access.

Yep. ..or just pull the target from the bill and let everyone else box as planned.

From what I understand the police won't reveal the name of the target

[CharlesListon]

If it's a genuine threat they have to warn the target. It's called an Osman warning. If they haven't done that then the threat can't be that specific or lacks credibility.

It's not my place but if I was the promoter or one of the affected boxers I'd be pushing this a bit.

[Tommy Gunn13]

Maybe it is Mayor they were after...

[ste1983]

After what happened in Dublin the police aren't gonna take any chances are they.

Can see it happening more often if anyone involved has any sort of serious enemies shows are gonna get pulled. BBBoC/MBC or AIBA.

While gangsters (I know thats simplistic and obviously levels vary) are involved in boxing their enemies may always see any event as a potential target.

[freddydoesdallas]

Any of the boxers in the armed forces?

[Looking On]

Any of the boxers in the armed forces?

yes, 1 serving 1 ex, on the semi pro section.

[freddydoesdallas]

Any of the boxers in the armed forces?

yes, 1 serving 1 ex, on the semi pro section.

That may have been it then. A few plots against servicemen have been discovered and unfortunately also carried out.

Also fits more with the terrorist angle