DENVER?S TITLE SHOT IN DIRE STRAITS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 Jan 2013
Boxing fans who frequent this website are already familiar with the story. Denver ?The Excitement? Cuello (32W-4L-6D, 21 KO's) earned the mandatory challenger status in the WBC?s 105 lb division last May 19, 2012 when he stopped Mexican Ganigan Lopez in two rounds in Guanajuato, Mexico.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) requested that Cuello step aside to pave the way for a bout in China but the organization mandated that the winner of the Xiong Zhao Zhong- Javier Martinez Resendiz bout will defend the world crown against Cuello. There was the issue of a step aside fee that every one knows about.Zhong emerged as the new champion but Cuello?s title shot is once again on hold with the Chinese allowed to defend against another challenger.
For the past couple of weeks, Cuello?s manager and promoter Aljoe Jaro has been seething and has threatened to seek legal action against the WBC.
Jake LaMotta and Marvin Hagler spent years waiting for their shot at the title. There was no choice in LaMotta?s time, there was only one world champion in every division back then. It is true that today, there are other organizations to choose from.
But Cuello has more than paid his dues with the WBC. He has held their International and Silver belts and fought their eliminators and won fights in Mexico four times. You cannot get more deserving of a title shot than that. What should Denver do next? Wrestle an alligator?
I understand that boxing is a business. There is a Chinese market and unfortunately even with the current best efforts, the ?Philippine market? still lags behind. Jaro is competent enough as a promoter but he doesn?t have the multi-million dollar clout of a Top Rank or Golden Boy Promotions. Cuello has a fledgling fan following but he is not Manny Pacquiao who can just jump from one organization to another and he will be welcomed with open arms and most likely fight for a title.
I am reminded of a case that made the news in 2003. Graciano Rocchigiani was awarded 31 million dollars in damages by a New York City Federal Court jury in 2003 in a case he filed against the WBC. He sued the WBC in 1998 claiming that the organization improperly took away his light heavyweight title and gave it to Roy Jones. In April of 2003, the WBC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy court, seeking relief from creditors while restructuring. The 31 million judgement made Rocchigiani their biggest creditor. He later settled for an undisclosed sum.
Our readers who are interested about the details of this case can make a quick google search.
Everyone has his bottom line and mine is what?s best for the fighter. Cuello is 26 years old and at the peak of his physical gifts. I hope he will not have to wait much longer. And I also hope that he will not be blackballed.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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