By Jonny Stapleton: The WBA claimed a dispute between the challenger to Bernard Dunne’s world title, Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym management team, Galaxy Promotions and Irish Promoter Pat McGee was the reason why the rights to promote one the biggest ever fights involving an Irish fighter was bought for the lowest possible sum.
The governing body also confirmed that Bernard Dunne can get more than just 55% of the $120,000(US) purse.
There was a great deal of surprise when Dunne’s, manager, Brian Peters won the purse bidding for a fight that could generate millions in revenue with the minimum purse bid.
Especially considering the other fight-Mikel Kessler’s WBA Super Middle Weight clash with Gusmyl Perdomo- subject to purse bidding in Spain on Monday saw two bid of over $2,000,000(US).
Seen as the purse bid is legally all the promoter has to pay the fighters, and the fact, as WBA Interim Champion, Kratingdaenggym is entitled to 45% , the Irish World Champion’s take after paying manager and training fees could be as low as E30,000,E 160,000 less than the man Dunne acquired the belt from Cordoba got to take on the charismatic Dubliner.
The WBA have admitted the purse bid for Dunne v Kratingdaenggym was one of the lowest in recent history. However they claimed the reason for the low purse was because Pat McGee was not allowed place any bid because the governing body was informed he was not the Thai fighter’s bonafide promoter. They also claimed despite such a low purse they believe the man who brought big time boxing back to Ireland will receive a very much deserved substantial pay day.
“Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym’s people Galaxy Boxing Promotions had an agreement with Pat McGee and he was to be their agent at the purse bidding. Mr McGee was present in Spain, but it seems he had a dispute regarding the contract he had with Galaxy. We were informed Pat McGee was not the Thai fighter’s bonafide promoter so we could not accept a bid of him. That left Thomas Rohan present on behalf of Brian Peters and he submitted a bid of $120,000 and Brian Peters Promotions is the fights promoter,” WBA European Coordinator Bartolomé Torralba explained before calming fears Dunne may not get the pay day he deserves.
“$120,000 is the minimum bid for the Super Bantamweight division. It is one of the lowest purse bids for a world title fight in recent history. Seen as Kratingdaenggym is the Interim Champion Brain Peters will have to pay him 45% of the purse bid and Bernard Dunne will get 55%. That doesn’t mean Bernard Dunne can not have a private agreement with Mr Peters. The champion can possibly receive more money for the fight with no objection from the WBA.”