LEWKOWICZ SENDS CEASE AND DESIST LETTER TO NERI
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 Aug 2015
Lewkowicz.
American promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, through his lawyer Leon R. Margules of Davie, Florida, has sent a cease and desist letter to Raides 'Nonoy' Neri Saturday Manila time for interfering with boxer Jonel Dapidran who recently signed a promotional contract with Lewkowicz's promotional company Sampson Boxing, LLC.
Dapidran, 17, who is a cousin of 8-division world champion and Philpppine congressman Manny Pacquiao, signed a management agreement with Neri under the Philippine Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Nov. 11, 2014 and approved by GAB chairman Juan Ramon R. Guanzon on February 23, 2015 according to records obtained by Philboxing.
Lewkowicz however maintained that the GAB contract is null and void because Dapidran signed the contract without his parents' consent which was required at the time of signing because Dapidran was only 16 years old by then, a minor, based on Philippine Civil Code Article 1327 (1).
?As I am sure you are aware (and I am sure the Games and Amusements Board is aware), the contract you have provided is woefully insufficient, and not enforceable as a matter of draw. Additionally Jonel Dapidran was a minor when he entered into said management agreement, and as such did not have the legal capacity to agree or enter into a binding contract... Therefore as counsel for Jonel Dapidran's exclusive licensed promoter Sampson Boxing, LLC, we demand that you cease and desist from engaging in any actions or conduct that interferes with our client's Promotional Agreement,? Margules's letter to Neri said in part.
Lewkowicz also raised the issue on why Dapidran did not get any fights from Neri since the signing of the management agreement in November up to the present time, a period of nine months, as well as Dapidran not receiving any financial support from Neri during this period knowing that a boxer only gets his income from having fights which showed that Neri was remiss about the implementation of the contract even if it's legal and a ground for the boxer to seek release of the contract, according to Lewkowicz.
?I stand firm about my right as a promoter and I defend the right of the boxer in this case,? Lewkowicz told Philboxing. ?And I will defend my reputation to the very end because no one has accused me of doing something illegal,? a visibly irked Lewkowicz, said.
In an interview with Philboxing, Jonel Dapidran said he had seek release from Neri for months on the basis that he was only a minor when he signed the contract and without consent from his parents but Neri would not release him. Dapidran, who said he has very high respect for his cousin, said he talked to his 'Kuya Manny' (Pacquiao) sometime in June and asked his permission for him to fight with other promoters and according to him Pacquiao gave his consent. Dapidran also said he had the blessing of Bobby Pacquiao, Manny's brother, who told him ?deskarte lang kag imoha (try to do what you can do).?
Dapidran also narrated that when he signed the management contract, it was only him and Joven Jimenez, one of MP Boxing Gym trainers, who handed him the contract and without the presence of Neri, Dapidran's parents or any GAB representative which is a clear violation of the GAB protocol that requires, according to Cebu GAB official Rolando Mendoza, at the very least a GAB representative to be present during the signing in order to explain to the boxer what he has about to sign.
Dapidran, who lives in Digos City, Davao del Sur, further said that he was in a limbo for months after he signed the contract because he wanted to fight under other promotions but Neri would not allow him. Sometime in June, he made contact with trainer Jun Agrabio who introduced him to Sammy Gello-ani, Lewkowicz's local partner, and asked for help.
Dapidran, (6-0, 3KO) who stands 5'9? and fights in the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions, said he looks forward to fighting in the US and wants to leave his mark in boxing, just like his more illustrious cousin.
An attempt was made to contact GAB chairman Ramon Guanzon to make his comment about this issue but the honorable chairman has yet to return our call.
Neri, who initially contacted us to air his side after Lewkowicz sent press releases about the Dapidran signing, could not be reached before this article got published.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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