12.08.04 – WBA jr. welterweight world champion Vivian Harris’ (photo: Carlos Kalinchuk) manager Emanuel Steward has expressed his disappointment after learning that Ricky Hatton and Frank Warren pulled out of the WBA’s number #1 mandatory position and opted to forego a challenge for Harris’ WBA belt: “Frank Warren’s dictator-like attitude and his ‘my way or no way’ attitude was the breaking point,” said Hall of Famer Steward. “He didn’t want the Harris-Hatton title fight to go to purse bids, and now he’s cost Hatton a shot at the world title. Contrary to many media reports, we decided in conjunction with Main Events that since Hatton is a good boxer we’d even offer him a 50/50 split. That’s unheard of when typically the champ gets 75-80%, but they still turned it down!”
Steward added, “Warren wanted to do the deal entirely his way. When the pressure was on he pulled Hatton from the ratings! Now, exactly as we predicted Hatton will face yet another Class C fighter in October. It’s a shame because the British fans are some of the best fans in the world and they deserve much more. Ricky Hatton has always been one of my favorite fighters to watch, and I suspect he has the heart of a lion, but Warren is so demanding and stubborn, it’s now cost Ricky a shot at the world title. Harris and Hatton both really wanted this fight. Our camps had even communicated personally. It’s very disappointing.”
However, Steward also made it clear that Harris has now set his sights on Floyd Mayweather, Jr: “As far as Vivian’s future is concerned, I have just gotten off the phone with our promoter, Main Events, and learned that the WBA is making Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Vivian’s mandatory now that Hatton has renounced the position. Mayweather has repeatedly said he wants to step up to the 140 pound class and fight for the championship, and now he has his opportunity to fight Vivian for the title. Vivian would love that fight, and now it is up to Mayweather to step up to the plate.”