15.02.04 – By Spud Woollatt: Rumours were criculating that negoitiations had broken down for the WBC World Featherweight Title fight between Britain’s Michael Brodie and Korea’s In Jin Chi for the fight to take place in Manchester on Saturday 10th April. There had been a number of arguments concerning the purse bids and which was the winning bid. The Koreans claiming although theirs was the lower bid it was the more attractive one due to the difference in tax laws in their country.
On questioning Jack Trickett (Brodie’s Manager), he stated “As far as I am concerned myself and Michael Brodie are in London ahead of tomorrows press conference which will announce the fight is taking place in Manchester on April 10th.” Tricket continued by stating “I spoke to Barry Hearn and he has told me the contracts were officially signed on Thursday and the fight is going to take place definitely in Manchester, and you would think if anything has changed since then I know for a fact Barry would have phoned me and we wouldn’t be sat in this hotel room now”.
As normal Jack Trickett was very forthright in what he had to say about a number of things concerning the first fight and in addition the subsequent controversy concerning the purse bids for the rematch. Trickett said “We are not going to tolerate any wrong doings over these purse bids, we won the bid fair and square, and there is no rule with any governing body concerning what is the most attractive bid concerning tax rules of various countries. The highest purse bid wins the right to stage the fight, and Barry Hearn won the purse bid by something like 2,000 dollars”.
I was then passed to Michael Brodie who discussed the rematch with In Jin Chi. “Listen Spud, In Jin Chi is a very good fighter and a very hard man, but, I just know I am not going to waste this golden opportunity to lift the WBC Belt. To be honest I am not bothered where I fight him because I know I am going to win the fight. It will be brilliant if I lift the belt in front of my home fans”. Brodie was then questioned about whether he is going to do anything different in the rematch, “Of course I am, but I am not going to tell you (Lots of laughter at this point)”.
Brodie was then asked if he were to lift the WBC Belt, what were the possibilities of fighting Scotlands Scott Harrison. “I will fight any featherweight in the world. It is up to Barry and Jack to sort those fights out for me, they look after me very well and if it is Scott Harrison next then fine”.
British Eastside then wished Michael all the best for the fight and asked for an interview nearer to the fight. It was then at this point the phone was then passed back to Brodie’s manager Jack Trickett who then discussed matters further. Trickett said “I want to add what Michael has just said about Scott Harrison. Harrison is a fantastic fighter and if the fight was made with Michael it would sell out any venue in the country and both fighters would receive what they deserve and that is a good pay day. Personally I wouldn’t be bothered who the fight was promoted by and where it was staged. They could have it in the ****ing desert for all I care because I know Michael Brodie would win the fight”.
Trickett then returned to the situation with Team In Jin Chi. “I do not blame the Koreans for coming out with all this b*llocks, because the first fight was a war, and this one will be as well. Myself and Michael have watched the first fight over and over again, and in the rematch you are not going to see Michael Brodie be a gentleman in the rematch. He will break the Korean’s ribs if has to!!!. In Jin Chi is a very brave and a very good fighter but I know Michael Brodie is going to win the fight”.
Eastside Boxing thanked both Michael Brodie and Jack Trickett for their time.
The Press Conference to formally announce the fight will take place in London tomorrow morning.