Laila Ali may not rumble in the jungle
Laila Ali is supposed to fight Gwen O’Neil in South Africa on Aug. 5 but the bout may be in jeopardy because the promoter hasn’t met his financial obligations.
South Africa’s boxing regulator, Boxing South Africa, has stood up for promoter Joe Manyathi after a report that Laila Ali’s fight in Cape Town has been cancelled because the promoter hasn’t ponied up funds for Ali, the Independent Online reports.
Boxing South Africa says the fight is still a go.
“The promoter has not said the fight is off, and the Ali camp has not said it is off,” a spokesperson said.
A newspaper reported on Sunday that Ali’s manager, Damon Bingham, said the fight had been called off because promoters hadn’t met their financial obligations.
Ali’s camp and Manyathi could not be reached on Sunday, the Independent said.
Bingham is probably the son (relative) of her dad’s photographer. She is probably asking for too much money. Let her fight Ann Wolfe and move on from there. Joe Mesi is on undercard. It might be a blessing if card if cancelled so Mesi does not fight anymore.
Would I be complete Jerk if I said “Who Cares”?
I disagree that Mesi should’nt fight. How would you feel if your livlihood were taken away. Sure, Mesi could be an anlyst for ESPN–but he loves boxing. Every aspect including the throwing of fists. He enjoys it and he deserves to be able to fight regardless. Ali WAS not given her final cut. And if she did ask for too much money–there was a signed contract. The promoter could’ve backed out before he agreed to sign the contract himself.
AND the fight has been cancelled and the promoter never came up with the money that he promised to all of these fighters. MEsi included.
This is a huge embarrassment for S.A . Both the promoter and Damon Bingham are to blame for this debacle.Bingham exploited the promoter by asking for excessive “perks” which was not in the contract i.e perdiums,additional flights for his friends and family.The promoter tried to keep him happy.Bingham wanted to dictate who the undercards should be i.e Joe Mesi and others.The promoter had minor cash flow irritations which was solved.
Bingham’s demands were unreasonable,ambitious and domineering and the got away with $200,000,and an all expenses paid glorified holiday now that the fight is off.
There are many rogues in this fiasco, Sta Trade, Damon Bingham and others. What is a consistent ingredient however is that they are all men – men overwhlemed by greed and deceit it what they saw as an opportunity to exploit each other and laila to the full.
It has been absolutely a horrible experience to see this debacle unfold where so many men from such different backgrouds and nationalities allowed chaos to reign. Laila mentioned in several media interviews that she came to South Africa not to fight as much as to support the women of South Africa and celebrate with them the 50 year anniversary of the Womens march to the Union Buildings. Never before were so many women intereted in a Boxing Bout, they truly wamted to see this “fighter”, a strong woman both physically and personally – She left here I am sure feeling disgusted by what she witnessed -she became a mere commodity exploited by different men in their self satifying pursuence of financial gain. I hope she returns to the Women of South Afica and when she does she will be welcomed back by thousands – i hope next tme she leaves the rogues behind.