08.11 - As promised, Team Freedom, co-promoters of former WBA super featherweight champion JOEL CASAMAYOR, 27-1 (17 KOs), responded yesterday to the offer made yesterday by Gary Shaw, promoter of former WBU super featherweight champion PHILLIP NDOU, 28-1 (27 KOs), for a January 25, 2003, match-up between the two top contenders.

Shaw had offered an unprecedented 70/30 purse split, with the winner of the fight receiving the lion's share.

Leon Margules, president of Team Freedom, presented a counter offer to Shaw today, asking for a guaranteed purse split of 65/35 in favor of Casamayor and a contracted weight of 133 pounds, give or take one pound.

"I wanted to be absolutely crystal clear on what Team Freedom meant by this offer," said Shaw. "I purchased a copy of the 2002 edition of Webster's Dictionary for a definition of a deal that stipulated a 65/35 split and a contracted weight that takes the fighters to the limit of a higher weight class. Webster's had a photograph of Casamayor with the caption 'I do not want to fight Ndou!'

"Team Freedom keeps saying they want to fight Ndou, and yet they are negotiating for a fight with Nate Campbell for a fight on HBO, AND they have been ordered by the WBO to fight in a title elimination bout against Jorge Barrios to become the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger to WBO/WBA champion Acelino Freitas. Maybe it's just me, but I am beginning to question their sincerity."

Casamayor, who is scheduled to fight on ESPN2 in December, is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBA and No. 4 by the WBC.

NDou,, currently world rated No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by the WBA, will take on Javier Torres, 34-17-9 (8 KOs), this Saturday night on a card headlined by the Sharmba Mitchell-Vince Phillips and Jeff Lacy-Ross Thompson rumbles. All three fights, which take place in Oklahoma City, OK, will be televised nationally on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing, beginning at 10 P.M. EST/PST.

N'DOU GIVES CASAMAYOR A SPLITTING HEADACHE!
GARY SHAW OFFERS 70/30 PURSE SPLIT TO THE WINNER

07.11 - Today, promoter Gary Shaw countered the latest offer made by Team Freedom, co-promoter of former WBA super featherweight champion JOEL CASAMAYOR, 27-1 (17 KOs), to make a 10-round fight between Casamayor and former WBU super featherweight champion PHILLIP N'DOU, 28-1 (27 KOs), in a battle of top-rated contenders.

Last week, Luis DeCubas, manager of Casamayor, accepted the fight contingent on Casamayor receiving a 70/30 purse split. Shaw called Team Freedom president, Leon Margules, today countering with an unprecedented offer.

"I told Leon if both sides believe so much in their fighter, let the winner walk out of the arena with 70% of the total purse," said Shaw. "I believe strongly in N'Dou. Team Freedom believes strongly in Casamayor. If you are confident, take the deal. You cannot get better odds on a fight than that!"

Margules promised Shaw a response by tomorrow.

Casamayor, who is scheduled to fight on ESPN2 in December, is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBA and No. 4 by the WBC.

N'Dou, currently world rated No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by the WBA, will take on Javier Torres, 34-17-9 (8 KOs), this Saturday night on a card headlined by the Sharmba Mitchell-Vince Phillips and Jeff Lacy-Ross Thompson rumbles. All three fights, which take place in Oklahoma City, OK, will be televised nationally on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing, beginning at 10 P.M. EST/PST.