EVEN LIGHTER WEIGHT CHAMPIONS NEED RESPECT
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 May 2010
Fight cards, particularly those involving lighter weight championships need to be hyped to the max to achieve box office success.
That much we understand.
But such must be done with due regards and respect for the participants particularly, the defending champion.
Case in point.
The promoters of the Rodel Mayol-Omar Nino Romero WBC mandated-rematch scheduled to be held at Queretaro, Mexico on June 19th scheduled a press conference in Mexico City last Monday, May 22, 2010.
Unfortunately, because of internal domestic problems in Mexico that was beyond their control (some high profile politician was allegedly kidnapped over that week-end) they had to cancel the press conference.
Although that was unfortunate, it was perfectly understandable. The Mexican press will be more interested in the breaking news a heck of a lot more than a boxing press conference. Thus, holding the Mayol-Nino conference during the crisis period would have been ill-advised.
The promoters advised Team Mayol that they have to re-schedule the press conference and they will notify the Team of the new time and date.
Today out of the blue, they call Team Mayol and told them that the press conference was re-scheduled for tomorrow and Mayol and his crew must immediately fly to Mexico City to meet the press.
What a dis-respect to the champion!
Team Mayol understands the need for the press conference but at the same token the promoters must understand the predicament of Mayol.
Mayol is in deep training to defend his title against a Mexican foe and in Mexico.
That alone puts him in a disadvantage thus he must focus and concentrate on his training.
To give him a same day notice to disrupt his training and fly five hours to Mexico City from Los Angeles and fly back the next day is too much of a disruption. And, that is not to mention the mental stress it will put on him.
In addition, forcing Mayol to fly to Mexico City with just his wife and without his Spanish speaking trainer and his support crew, top with a threat that if the press con is not held tomorrow, the fight will be canceled is pathetic!
While it is true that that plenty of people can act as interpreters for Mayol and many in the Mexican press speak fluent English, it still makes a hell of a lot of difference if Mayol has his own man with him who understands the language!
That levels the playing field, so to speak.
Another thing, how can the promoters cancel a fight when to this day, they have not sent Mayol a fight contract to sign?
It can be argued that Nino will be doing the same that is, disrupting his training to go to Mexico City. But for Christ-sake, the guy lives barely over an hour from Mexico City.
That makes a hell of lot of difference.
What the Mayol-Nino promoters must understand is the fact that fighters need their space and time when in training. Sudden disruption can throw them off sync. The stress such disruption would create is not good for their psyche.
Promoters must also understand that fighters need respect even just a bit!
Threatening them to cancel a fight for reasons that are beyond the control of a fighter is uncalled for and unethical!
What they should have done is give Mayol enough time to re-set his training schedule to fit the press conference. In such way, he can prepare correctly with minimal disruption to his training.
Now is that too much to ask?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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