FROZEN OUT?

By Michael Swann

Recently it was announced that the Peterson brothers, Lamont and Anthony, had signed a contract with Top Rank, after previously being promoted by Prize Fight Promotions in Memphis. The move made sense in many ways. The young men, both undefeated, have been impressive in their rise to the top and now are bona fide contenders. In fact, about the only criticism that they have received is about their level of competition.

So, it was time to step up to the next level with a major promoter who could get them big fights and TV dates. And, there’s no promotional company that can claim superiority over Top Rank when it comes to developing fighters.

Before the announcement I received a tip from an informed source that the signing with Top Rank was imminent. Out of respect for my source, I left the story alone when it was reported by various media sources, although I confess that I was gnashing my teeth.

The news stories reported that the contracts had to go to Shelly Finkel for final approval. But in reality, Finkel never signed the contracts because he never saw, never received them.

Looking back, I wondered why certain editorial commentary made to me was never part of the story. But I’ve never betrayed a source, nor will I now. It just serves to add to my curiosity.

Finkel and Peterson trainer/mentor/surrogate father Barry Hunter were actually co-managers of the boxing prodigies. Having spoken to both men on the subject, it was my impression that they had forged a strong working relationship based on mutual respect.

But apparently recent developments have changed that dynamic, for reasons not clear at this point. Both men are guarded in their public comments at this time as it has developed into a legal matter, scheduled to go before an arbitrator.

After the official signing with Top Rank, Finkel says that he never saw the contract, nor signed it with his approval. Both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions were bidding on the brothers. According to Finkel, he saw one Top Rank and one Golden Boy offer before he was “frozen out.”

“I saw the first one and the Golden Boy offer was substantially better,” Finkel said. “I never saw the second bid. Then they signed with Arum without letting me see the contract.

“Legally I have a contract and I believe that it will be upheld. You know the job that’s been done. They’re very talented and they have a great story but someone had to get them the right fights, make sure they were matched properly and direct them. It’s no accident that they are where they are.

“I happen to personally like Barry a lot and I like the kids. I don’t like the way this happened and I think it will show what I’ve done for them. It shows already by where they are and I think when the time comes, it’ll be clear.

“So I guess the arbitrator will decide who’s right.”

Finkel insists that he could have gotten a better deal.

“I don’t think he [Hunter] made the best deal,” the veteran manager said. “I would pit one against the other and the price would have gone up.

“Golden Boy offered [Lamont] the opening TV slot on Oscar’s card on Saturday. To me you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that it’s going to be the biggest HBO fight of the year and the opening slot has got to be gigantic. I think it’s a little better than being the opening slot on the Kendall Holt-Ricardo Torres fight on Showtime on July 4th weekend.

(That will be Lamont’s first fight under the Top Rank deal. Anthony fights on Versus on June 26.)

“With all the people here [media] and 27,000 in the arena and millions of people on HBO versus “B” cards, this was not in the kid’s best interests.

“Arum is a good promoter, but I know there are people who would have gone higher.”

Barry Hunter and his wife, Cologne, have two girls and two boys. Still, as has been heavily documented now, he took Anthony and Lamont at the ages of eight and nine respectively and brought them up as his own, not only teaching them boxing skills but about life and values.

Hunter runs his own construction company, rising at 5:30 in the morning and then when his workday ends around 5:30 p.m. he drives to the Bald Eagle Gym in a Southeastern suburb of Washington D.C. There he coaches some 30 or so aspirants on his boxing team called the Head Bangers, his other family.

When contacted to comment on this story, Hunter apologetically explained that he had much to say but would have to delay comment until after the legal matter had been settled.

“We can’t really say anything about it now because the lawyers are involved,” Hunter said while awaiting takeoff on his return trip to D.C. along with Cologne, Lamont and Anthony after the Petersons received the Pat Putnam Award for Perseverance from the Boxing Writers Association of America.

“There’s going to come a time when we’re going to tell our side.

“Anthony and Lamont made their own decisions and I respect their decisions. They’re looking forward to working with Top Rank now and moving forward with their careers.

“I’m happy because they’re happy.”

Hopefully the matter will be resolved quickly and an equitable solution will be reached. Hunter did promise that he would comment, along with Anthony and Lamont when they were in a legal position to speak out.

So, for now we’re left somewhat hanging as to just what is the full truth in the matter. Until Finkel and Hunter are free to speak freely it would be premature to draw conclusions.

NOTES:

For those who read my column, “The Power of Pacquiao,” I submit what has to be Exhibit “A”. ABS-CBN News from General Santos City in the Philippines headlined a story this week entitled, “Pacquiao Releases Turtle Hatchings in Saragani.” The story concerned Manny’s participation in the release of more than 100 turtle hatchings in celebration of the Ocean Month.

At the bottom of this big news, under the heading “Meets with president,” it was reported that Pacquiao flew to Manila to meet President Arroyo for an important meeting with the Philippine Tuna Council.

I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.