LAS VEGAS, NV (August 19, 2009) Amidst the highly unprofessional pullout of Anthony Thompson of his I.B.O. Junior Middleweight World Title bout against Grady Brewer which was set for this Saturday night at the Pala Casino in Pala, California, TKO BOXING Promotions CEO Chris Middendorf has issued the following statement. “In mid June, I contacted the manager for Anthony Thompson, Cameron Dunkin and offered him the fight for the IBO 154lb Title against Grady Brewer. The reaction was immediate that Anthony wanted the fight. He had suffered an early career loss to Brewer and had always wanted to revenge that loss..
“I got him approved by the State of California and sent Dunkin on the contract. After a few calls to remind him to get it done, Thompson signed the contract dated July 7th. He immediately asked for an advance against his purse. Dunkin asked me to hold up sending the advance against the purse until he was sure that he was training every day for the fight, and then cleared me to send him the advance, which I then did. Thompson cashed the check.”
“Thompson pulled out of the fight two days ago, not by calling his manager or his promoter, but by having one of his seconds call Dunkin and pull out. As TKO has a signed California State Athletic Commission contract, if he does not show up for the weigh in, we will do everything that we can to make sure that the commission suspends him indefinitely. In addition to the advance, TKO also purchased airfares for his camp as well as the sanctioning officials and a judge, and have now had to make a last minute replacement and pay additional expenses for last minute airfares and tests.”
“It is a shame to lose a quality fight like this from our card at the Pala Casino. It is more of a shame that Anthony chose to handle it in this manner. He says that he is now retired from boxing. TKO wishes him luck with his next career, and hopes that he finds a career where trust is not a prerequisite.”
Said Chet Koerner, President of TKO BOXING Promotions, “We’re a relatively new company and we’ve prided ourselves on being open and honest with all parties during our promotions. Unfortunately, Anthony chose to take advantage of us in a most unprofessional manner.”
Thompson has been replaced by Albert “THE PUNISHER” Onolunose who will face Grady “BAD BOY” Brewer in a twelve round junior middleweight bout for the I.B.C. belt.
“TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino” is presented by Chet Koerner’s TKO BOXING Promotions, originators of the nationally acclaimed “HOMETOWN HEROES TO WORLD CHAMPIONS” professional boxing series.
Tickets for the seven bout action packed “TKO World Championship Boxing at the Pala Casino” card, starting at $25, are available through Star Tickets (www.startickets.com, phone 1-800-585-3737).