Enzo attacks promoters ...
Posted: 09 Oct 2008, 05:26
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/spo ... -21996084/
Boxing: Enzo pulls no punches on promoters
Oct 9 2008 by Blair Wood, Western Mail
ENZO CALZAGHE has launched a scathing attack on the world of boxing promotion, insisting his fighters should be free to make their own decisions.
Calzaghe is one of the most influential men in British boxing. And, as well as his son Joe, an undefeated world champion for 11 years, he also trains former world champions Enzo Maccarinelli and Gavin Rees along with, among others, Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce.
But even the charismatic Sardinian has been left frustrated by the contractual wrangles that have marred boxing in recent years. And he has become increasingly disillusioned by the lack of freedom his boxers are forced to endure.
Contracts with promoters effectively dictate boxers’ careers, specifically who they fight, when they fight and how much they get paid for it. And, as several Team Calzaghe members have recently discovered, when they next fight is entirely at their promoter’s discretion.
Until that happens they are effectively left twiddling their thumbs. World rankings can slide through inactivity and their progress is in someone else’s hands.
The issue was brought to a head in June when Joe Calzaghe decided to sever ties with Sports Network supremo allegedly. A bitter legal battle with the promoter then ensued and the matter is yet to be resolved.
With Warren still representing several members of Team Calzaghe, it was feared the argument would impact on the likes of Maccarinelli, Rees and Pryce. The fact none of them have fought since the split has certainly added to the speculation.
Calzaghe Snr refused to comment on the situation with Warren.
But he didn’t pull any punches when talking about the control promoters have over their fighters.
“This isn’t about individuals, it’s about the system itself,” he declared.
“When someone gets to the point that they don’t want to go down a certain road any more, they should be able to walk away. The partnership isn’t working and it would be better for both parties if it ended.
“But sometimes that is a problem for boxers. You have to go through various court cases and hearings just to get your freedom.
“Surely human beings can make their own decisions. Why does money have to get in the way and create enemies?”
He continued: “People always talk about contracts in these situations. But, if someone doesn’t want to fight for me, I rip up any contract and give him his free will.
“When Nathan Cleverly wanted to leave my gym, I just let him. I haven’t and I don’t intend to create any animosity because, if that’s his wish, that’s fine by me.
“If they don’t want to be with me, I don’t want to train them. But maybe that is a rarity in boxing.”
Calzaghe has also grown tired of people suggesting promoters are responsible for shaping boxers’ careers.
He believes that if a fighter possesses the right talent they will always make it.
Referring to his own stable, Ring Magazine’s trainer of the year went on to say he felt trainers are regularly undervalued. And he suggested promoters are often given the credit for their trainers’ hard work.
“Some people get carried away with promoters and managers,” he said. “They think they deserve all the adulation, accolades and rewards when the boxers are successful, but that is just wrong.
“Technically trainers are the unsung heroes in this sport. You take people like Joe, Bradley and Gavin, I was there from the start.
“They were all manufactured by me. We worked together to get that success, not the promoter.
“You can’t tell me someone like Bradley Pryce is only successful because of his promoter. With my help, he manufactured himself.”
As for any issues with Warren, Calzaghe Jnr insisted his situation should not affect anyone else in the gym. And he was confident his stablemates would all return to the ring in the near future.
“At the end of the day a couple of boys are boxing in New York and it looks like the rest of them will be fighting before the end of the year,” Joe added. “There’s no way what happened with me and Frank should affect any of them.
“Everyone is entitled to make their own decision anyway. I don’t force them to do anything.
“I do whatever is best for Joe Calzaghe and they do the same for themselves.
“I’m the one that has to get in the ring and get punched in the head so I have to look after myself and that’s the way it is for everyone here.”
Boxing: Enzo pulls no punches on promoters
Oct 9 2008 by Blair Wood, Western Mail
ENZO CALZAGHE has launched a scathing attack on the world of boxing promotion, insisting his fighters should be free to make their own decisions.
Calzaghe is one of the most influential men in British boxing. And, as well as his son Joe, an undefeated world champion for 11 years, he also trains former world champions Enzo Maccarinelli and Gavin Rees along with, among others, Commonwealth champion Bradley Pryce.
But even the charismatic Sardinian has been left frustrated by the contractual wrangles that have marred boxing in recent years. And he has become increasingly disillusioned by the lack of freedom his boxers are forced to endure.
Contracts with promoters effectively dictate boxers’ careers, specifically who they fight, when they fight and how much they get paid for it. And, as several Team Calzaghe members have recently discovered, when they next fight is entirely at their promoter’s discretion.
Until that happens they are effectively left twiddling their thumbs. World rankings can slide through inactivity and their progress is in someone else’s hands.
The issue was brought to a head in June when Joe Calzaghe decided to sever ties with Sports Network supremo allegedly. A bitter legal battle with the promoter then ensued and the matter is yet to be resolved.
With Warren still representing several members of Team Calzaghe, it was feared the argument would impact on the likes of Maccarinelli, Rees and Pryce. The fact none of them have fought since the split has certainly added to the speculation.
Calzaghe Snr refused to comment on the situation with Warren.
But he didn’t pull any punches when talking about the control promoters have over their fighters.
“This isn’t about individuals, it’s about the system itself,” he declared.
“When someone gets to the point that they don’t want to go down a certain road any more, they should be able to walk away. The partnership isn’t working and it would be better for both parties if it ended.
“But sometimes that is a problem for boxers. You have to go through various court cases and hearings just to get your freedom.
“Surely human beings can make their own decisions. Why does money have to get in the way and create enemies?”
He continued: “People always talk about contracts in these situations. But, if someone doesn’t want to fight for me, I rip up any contract and give him his free will.
“When Nathan Cleverly wanted to leave my gym, I just let him. I haven’t and I don’t intend to create any animosity because, if that’s his wish, that’s fine by me.
“If they don’t want to be with me, I don’t want to train them. But maybe that is a rarity in boxing.”
Calzaghe has also grown tired of people suggesting promoters are responsible for shaping boxers’ careers.
He believes that if a fighter possesses the right talent they will always make it.
Referring to his own stable, Ring Magazine’s trainer of the year went on to say he felt trainers are regularly undervalued. And he suggested promoters are often given the credit for their trainers’ hard work.
“Some people get carried away with promoters and managers,” he said. “They think they deserve all the adulation, accolades and rewards when the boxers are successful, but that is just wrong.
“Technically trainers are the unsung heroes in this sport. You take people like Joe, Bradley and Gavin, I was there from the start.
“They were all manufactured by me. We worked together to get that success, not the promoter.
“You can’t tell me someone like Bradley Pryce is only successful because of his promoter. With my help, he manufactured himself.”
As for any issues with Warren, Calzaghe Jnr insisted his situation should not affect anyone else in the gym. And he was confident his stablemates would all return to the ring in the near future.
“At the end of the day a couple of boys are boxing in New York and it looks like the rest of them will be fighting before the end of the year,” Joe added. “There’s no way what happened with me and Frank should affect any of them.
“Everyone is entitled to make their own decision anyway. I don’t force them to do anything.
“I do whatever is best for Joe Calzaghe and they do the same for themselves.
“I’m the one that has to get in the ring and get punched in the head so I have to look after myself and that’s the way it is for everyone here.”
