04.04.08 – In another case of shady dealings sullying the great sport of boxing, Seminole Warriors Boxing, promoters of super middleweight contender Edison Miranda, have discovered that former world champion Mikkel Kessler negotiated in bad faith with Team Miranda and Showtime, agreeing to a May bout while at the same time trying to put together a WBA title fight against a fighter he already defeated, Anthony Mundine..
And Team Miranda is not taking this lightly.
“Given the information we’ve discovered regarding this disgraceful lack of integrity from Kessler and his team, we are seriously considering legal action against them,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “Edison is losing out on a significant payday and national television exposure because of Kessler’s withdrawal from this fight, and we are going to investigate all our options in the coming days.”
After a lengthy negotiation process, Denmark’s Kessler agreed late last month to face Miranda in a May 24th bout to be televised on Showtime. It was a matchup fans deemed to be one of the best super middleweight fights in recent years, but shortly after agreeing to the bout, Kessler withdrew, giving no reason for his withdrawal. As Seminole Warriors Boxing discovered, the reason for Kessler’s sudden case of cold feet was that at the same time he was negotiating with Team Miranda and Showtime, he and his team were petitioning the WBA for a title shot against Mundine.
In a letter from WBA Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza to Kessler, dated March 28, 2008, it was stated:
Dear Mr. Kessler,
The World Boxing Association would like to inform you that after considering your request and that made by Mr. Mogens Palle, Mrs. Bettina Palle and Mr. Michael Marley on your behalf, this Championships Committee has voted to appoint you as the Official Challenger of the WBA Super Middleweight World Champion, Anthony Mundine, based on your qualifications to such distinction.
In a next letter we would clarify the negotiations dates on the division.
Yours truly,
Gilberto Jesus Mendoza
WBA Vice President
CC: World Championships Committee Members
Directory Members