BoxRec

Very rare I plug my articles on here but thought I'd bring today's Boxing News to people's attention.

The story of Mike Middleton has been briefly touched on in the past but if people haven't heard about the build up to this fight then please check it out.

A very interesting story.

Thank You

Good article Chris. Nice to see Middleton ended up with a few bob for his troubles. The last few editions of BN have been tremendous as far as I'm concerned.

Thank You.

Yes, the magazine has featured some great stuff lately.

I'd be interested to read. Will it be published online?

Only in magazine for now, Sir

Chris is one of the finest boxing scribes in the country now - jumped up a place when I 'retired'. Seriously though, boxing journalists are as marginalised as the sport they cover but Walks is in a rich vein of form that I predict will continue in perpetuity.

Chris W 1982 wrote:Only in magazine for now, Sir

Thanks. I may buy it. I'm just totally broke

Very kind words. Thank You.

There was a lengthy write up on the Middleton farce in Boxing Monthly at the time. Audley was smiling on the front cover, with the lamentable headline: THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER.

The seismic Lewis/Rahman upset was reduced to a little box in the corner!

Thread bump, I’ve started reading Bunces book around the world in 80 fights and this is one of them. Interesting story and probably made Middleton the highest paid 6 round journeyman in boxing history.

Controversial wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:32 Thread bump, I’ve started reading Bunces book around the world in 80 fights and this is one of them. Interesting story and probably made Middleton the highest paid 6 round journeyman in boxing history.

How much did they pay him?

40k from memory. Someone forgot to delete TV rights on the contract.
I'll seek out the article. Be good to have a well written refresher!

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:40

Controversial wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:32 Thread bump, I’ve started reading Bunces book around the world in 80 fights and this is one of them. Interesting story and probably made Middleton the highest paid 6 round journeyman in boxing history.

How much did they pay him?

It says $65,000 in Bunces book so around £40,000, well remembered deadpan!

deadpan wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:46 40k from memory. Someone forgot to delete TV rights on the contract.
I'll seek out the article. Be good to have a well written refresher!

Sweet payday for back then… especially for a no hoper. I mean surely A Force could’ve negotiated a lower price? Or got some other no chancer in there?

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:28

deadpan wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:46 40k from memory. Someone forgot to delete TV rights on the contract.
I'll seek out the article. Be good to have a well written refresher!

Sweet payday for back then… especially for a no hoper. I mean surely A Force could’ve negotiated a lower price? Or got some other no chancer in there?

He was meant to get $5,000 but they cocked the contract up and forgot to remove the bit that said he got a share of the TV rights as well, he was asked to sign a new contact and refused and was then "kidnapped" according to the story.

Controversial wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:48

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:28

deadpan wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:46 40k from memory. Someone forgot to delete TV rights on the contract.
I'll seek out the article. Be good to have a well written refresher!

Sweet payday for back then… especially for a no hoper. I mean surely A Force could’ve negotiated a lower price? Or got some other no chancer in there?

He was meant to get $5,000 but they cocked the contract up and forgot to remove the bit that said he got a share of the TV rights as well, he was asked to sign a new contact and refused and was then "kidnapped" according to the story.

Where is this detailed!?? In Bunce’s book? Sounds crazy

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:52

Controversial wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:48

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:28

Sweet payday for back then… especially for a no hoper. I mean surely A Force could’ve negotiated a lower price? Or got some other no chancer in there?

He was meant to get $5,000 but they cocked the contract up and forgot to remove the bit that said he got a share of the TV rights as well, he was asked to sign a new contact and refused and was then "kidnapped" according to the story.

Where is this detailed!?? In Bunce’s book? Sounds crazy

Yeah its in his book but this thread is from 2016 where it appeared in a BN article.

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:28

deadpan wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:46 40k from memory. Someone forgot to delete TV rights on the contract.
I'll seek out the article. Be good to have a well written refresher!

Sweet payday for back then… especially for a no hoper. I mean surely A Force could’ve negotiated a lower price? Or got some other no chancer in there?

Audley insisted on running the business and fighting. Never listened to anyone,which is why he made a basic mistake.

Bercli wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 14:06

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:28

deadpan wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:46 40k from memory. Someone forgot to delete TV rights on the contract.
I'll seek out the article. Be good to have a well written refresher!

Sweet payday for back then… especially for a no hoper. I mean surely A Force could’ve negotiated a lower price? Or got some other no chancer in there?

Audley insisted on running the business and fighting. Never listened to anyone,which is why he made a basic mistake.

And thought he was a better businessman than he was. Ended up bankrupt

I worked closely with Audley from his debut up until the end,so I know quite a bit about went on back then.

Bercli wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 15:45 I worked closely with Audley from his debut up until the end,so I know quite a bit about went on back then.

Do you know what the story was with Middleton being supposedly kidnapped?

Controversial wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 11:17

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:40

Controversial wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 10:32 Thread bump, I’ve started reading Bunces book around the world in 80 fights and this is one of them. Interesting story and probably made Middleton the highest paid 6 round journeyman in boxing history.

How much did they pay him?

It says $65,000 in Bunces book so around £40,000, well remembered deadpan!

Cheers! Not bad for a 55 year old. If only I could also recall my Google password.

Bercli wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026, 15:45 I worked closely with Audley from his debut up until the end,so I know quite a bit about went on back then.

You must have some cracking tales!

Mike sadly passed away a few years back.

We chatted sporadically on FB, nice guy and happy to share details of his boxing career. RIP

Didn't know the story behind this. It sums up Audley