Promoter Dino Duva of Duva Boxing says a grave injustice has been done to his promotional company involving a fighter and his people, a Buffalo-based agent and most shockingly of all — his own business partner, Don King. And the New Jersey-based promoter says he fully intends to file a grievance with the newly formed Boxing Promoter’s Association..
The trouble began last week, when Duva Boxing’s fighter, undefeated welterweight James De La Rosa, suddenly claimed publicly he was a promotional free agent. It was shocking news to Duva who has a valid agreement with the fighter.
Here’s where Duva picks up the story.
“James De La Rosa was convinced by his ‘advisors’ to file for bankruptcy and try to break his promotional contract with us. After James told me this, I called Don King to advise him of the situation. I knew that Don was fighting his own battle with one of these bankruptcy frauds with Nate Campbell and that he has had success fighting it. As my business partner in Duva Boxing, I asked Don for his and his lawyer’s help. Don said emphatically to me “Dino, we must fight this. We can’t let these fighters screw us with these bankruptcies and I guarantee my help to fight De La Rosa on behalf of Duva Boxing. I was waiting for Don to send me his lawyer’s contact information to get started with proceedings.
Some time after my call with Don, a slime named Rick Glaser, who is not even a promoter and who causes most people to want to scrub themselves clean after being in his company, brought De La Rosa and his ‘advisors’ to Don King’s office for De La Rosa to sign with DKP. Don King signed De La Rosa last week without even telling me. I found out from a very credible journalist whom Glaser called and gloated about screwing me and bringing James to Don. I’ve been trying to call Don ever since I found this out and he has been ducking my calls. As hard as it is to believe, this is a new low for Don! Sadly, this isn’t a new low for Rick Glaser; it’s business as usual.”
The entire twisted situation, Duva says, is an ideal first case for the Promoter’s Association to become involved with. In fact, a portion of the premier meeting involved the problem of fighters claiming bankruptcy to back out of their promotional contracts – a meeting at which King and Glaser were both present!
“One of the key points addressed by the promoter’s association was promoters raiding other promoters’ fighters. Don King signed the promoter’s association initial membership document and then immediately proceeded to raid my fighter. On top of this, he is my partner on Duva Boxing! And he did so while also fighting Nate Campbell’s bankruptcy and telling me as a partner with my company that he would help me fight De La Rosa.
“I am certainly going to take legal action regarding the tortious interference, breach of partnership fiduciary responsibility, etc., but the thing I also really want to bring to light is regarding the newly formed promoter’s association. Even though I was physically unable to be at the first meeting, I am a member and believe in it 100%.
I am very confident in the Association’s desire to stop this type of behavior by fighters, slimy agents and promoters. We need it to restore order in this great sport that has run amuck.”
Tallahassee’s Mayor John Marks Proclaims August 28 “Tavoris Cloud Day”
August 12 (Tallahassee, FL)- On Monday, IBF #1 light heavyweight contender Tavoris Cloud (19-0, 18 KOs) took a very brief but rewarding respite from training camp to be honored by Mayor John Marks and the city of Tallahassee, Florida. Before a crowd of fans, officials and media, Mayor Marks presented Cloud with an official city proclamation, announcing that in honor of his accomplishments and contributions to their great city, August 28th, 2009 is officially “Tavoris Cloud Day” in Tallahassee.
Cloud faces England’s Clinton Woods for the IBF light heavyweight title on August 28th from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida in the co-main event of this highly anticipated edition of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
With a win over Woods, Cloud will become the first world champion boxer from Tallahassee, the capitol of Florida. “I’m so proud of what he represents,” Mayor Marks said.
Many of the kids from the Lincoln Community Center youth boxing team were on hand for inspiration. Marks told them, “You all see what Tavoris is doing and what you all can do and what you all can be if you have the will and determination to do it. Stay out of trouble.”
“You’ve got to have a vision,” the Mayor continued. “We all have dreams, but vision becomes reality. Tavoris obviously didn’t come from the best of surroundings, but he found out what he needs to do to find it. So, we’re very proud of him.”
Cloud took this opportunity to join the Mayor in addressing the kids about the importance of staying in school and staying off the streets.
“Five or six days of the week, the doors were always open at the community center,” Tavoris said. “They never turned me away or said, ‘You can’t train today.’ The door always being open really helped me stay out of trouble by always giving me a safe place to go and something positive to do.”
“You kids are going back to school soon. Know that getting an education is the most important thing. Staying in school and getting your degree makes you a success and means you’ll be able to make money.”
To show his sincerity, Cloud made a donation providing 50 kids with new back-to-school supplies.
“I plan on going back to college to get my degree, and if I can help somebody along the way, I’m with it.”
Cloud wrapped up a heartfelt day with, “After a tough day in camp, I’ll think about today. It’s been great. The Mayor and so many people showed up to support me and now the city dedicates an official day to me? All of this means so much to me. I can’t wait to bring the title home to the city of Tallahassee.”
WARRIORS AND BAD DOG INKS RANCES BARTHELEMY
HAVANA NATIVE LATEST CUBAN STAR TO ENTER THE PRO RANKS
HOLLYWOOD, FL, August 12 – The Cuban boxing invasion continues, as Seminole Warriors Boxing is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with Bad Dog Productions to sign Havana native Rances Barthelemy to an exclusive promotional contract.
“The talent coming out of Cuba is amazing, and we’re excited about having Rances Barthelemy as part of the Warriors team,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Warriors Boxing. “Rances has a great style for the pros, and having been in the States for 15 months already, he’s better acclimated to life here than some of his former teammates. I think he’s going to make a lot of noise in the lightweight division in the coming years.”
An exciting lightweight with dynamite in his gloves, Barthelemy – the brother of 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and current pro prospect Yan Barthelemy – had an impressive amateur career, competing in 200 fights and earning the Cuban junior national championship. In 2008, he defected to the United States, but was unable to qualify for the 2008 Olympics because he is not a United States citizen.
Barthelemy went on to win the Florida Golden Gloves title, and competed in the National Golden Gloves tournament, but he decided that the pro game was the right fit for him, so on August 8th he made his pro debut with a spectacular 13 second knockout of Jamal Clay at the Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.
On August 28th, the 24-year old Barthelemy will join his countryman Luis Franco to compete on Warriors Boxing’s event at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on August 28th. An opponent for Barthelemy’s South Florida debut will be announced shortly.
As part of the Final Press conference for the August 28th World Title doubleheader to be held at noon on Wednesday, August 26th at Mondongos restaurant in Miami, Barthelemy will be introduced to the media. Mondongos is located at 3500 North West 87 Avenue.
Tickets for this event, priced at $52, $102, $152, and $202, are now on sale, and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or by going online at www.TicketMaster.com.