My guest on this podcast is Cliff Rold, a top boxing writer and managing editor for BoxingScene.com. Cliff is also a founding member of the media-run independent ratings organization the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board (TBRB). We spoke about his journey in the sport from watching fights with his grandparents to writing for RIngTalk, CyberBoxingZone and Boxing Scene.
We also talked about his break from The Ring Ratings Panel to form the TBRB, the art of rating fighters and the goals and impact of the TBRB. We further got into the state of the game, the Heavyweights and what should be the next weight classes for the World Boxing Super Series.
It was a really interesting discussion. Enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Boxing Podcast With John Nash
My guest on this podcast is John Nash, a top MMA writer for Bloody Elbow. John writes primarily about MMA and boxing and also does an excellent podcast called Show Money which covers the business side of MMA.
We spoke about the rumors of Endeavor purchasing Waddell Reed's interest in Haymon Sports and the PBC. We also discussed Endeavor's possible interest in Top Rank and what an Endeavor boxing promotional entity would look like.
We further got into a few MMA topics including how the UFC's deal with ESPN is going and if Bellator is benefitting from its DAZN deal.
It was an excellent discussion - enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
We spoke about the rumors of Endeavor purchasing Waddell Reed's interest in Haymon Sports and the PBC. We also discussed Endeavor's possible interest in Top Rank and what an Endeavor boxing promotional entity would look like.
We further got into a few MMA topics including how the UFC's deal with ESPN is going and if Bellator is benefitting from its DAZN deal.
It was an excellent discussion - enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
DiBella Entertainment and Headbangers Win Dismissal from Prichard Colon Lawsuit
Today in D.C. Superior Court, Judge John Campbell filed an Opinion granting both defendant promoters DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and Headbangers, Inc. motions to dismiss the negligence claims brought against them in a lawsuit by injured boxer Prichard Colon.
The suit arose from the brain injuries Colon suffered in a boxing match against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, VA on October 17, 2015. The Complaint alleged that Williams hit Colon with rabbit punches (illegal punches to the back of the head) throughout the fight until Colon fell from a rabbit punch in the seventh round. The ringside doctor, Dr. Richard Ashby, examined Colon and allowed the fight to continue. Colon was subsequently knocked down twice in the ninth round and lost on a disqualification. Colon collapsed after the fight and has been bedridden and in a "vegetative" state since that night.
The Complaint, filed in May 2017, alleged that promoters DBE and Headbangers "owed Prichard a duty of care to hire, appoint, choose, recruit and approve personnel who enforce, instruct, advise and abide by applicable standards of care," and "to ensure that the specific ringside physician was properly trained . . . and skilled to perform the neurological examinations necessary to determine if one of the fighters had suffered a traumatic brain injury." Plaintiffs also alleged that the promoters failed to "make sure that guidelines, procedures, and protocols were in place to properly prevent and assess bleeding in the brain of one of the boxers..."
Both DBE and Headbangers argued in their motions to dismiss that the bout was conducted under the auspices of the state of Virginia's Boxing Regulations. They further argued that plaintiff Colon could not establish that the promoters had a duty of care to "hire . . . and approve personnel" and "ensure that the . . . ringside physician was properly trained" because the Regulations bestow those duties on the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Judge Campbell agreed with DBE and Headbangers arguments stating, the "Regulations are clear that event promoters, such as DBE and Headbangers, are not responsible for ringside protocols or the hiring of a ringside physician. Both of these duties are entirely the responsibility of the Department. DBE and Headbangers thus cannot be held liable for breach of a duty they did not possess."
The Judge further ruled that all claims against DBE and Headbangers were dismissed with prejudice.
See Complaint below:
See DBE Motion to Dismiss:
See Headbangers Motion to Dismiss:
See Opinion of the Court:
The suit arose from the brain injuries Colon suffered in a boxing match against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, VA on October 17, 2015. The Complaint alleged that Williams hit Colon with rabbit punches (illegal punches to the back of the head) throughout the fight until Colon fell from a rabbit punch in the seventh round. The ringside doctor, Dr. Richard Ashby, examined Colon and allowed the fight to continue. Colon was subsequently knocked down twice in the ninth round and lost on a disqualification. Colon collapsed after the fight and has been bedridden and in a "vegetative" state since that night.
The Complaint, filed in May 2017, alleged that promoters DBE and Headbangers "owed Prichard a duty of care to hire, appoint, choose, recruit and approve personnel who enforce, instruct, advise and abide by applicable standards of care," and "to ensure that the specific ringside physician was properly trained . . . and skilled to perform the neurological examinations necessary to determine if one of the fighters had suffered a traumatic brain injury." Plaintiffs also alleged that the promoters failed to "make sure that guidelines, procedures, and protocols were in place to properly prevent and assess bleeding in the brain of one of the boxers..."
Both DBE and Headbangers argued in their motions to dismiss that the bout was conducted under the auspices of the state of Virginia's Boxing Regulations. They further argued that plaintiff Colon could not establish that the promoters had a duty of care to "hire . . . and approve personnel" and "ensure that the . . . ringside physician was properly trained" because the Regulations bestow those duties on the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Judge Campbell agreed with DBE and Headbangers arguments stating, the "Regulations are clear that event promoters, such as DBE and Headbangers, are not responsible for ringside protocols or the hiring of a ringside physician. Both of these duties are entirely the responsibility of the Department. DBE and Headbangers thus cannot be held liable for breach of a duty they did not possess."
The Judge further ruled that all claims against DBE and Headbangers were dismissed with prejudice.
See Complaint below:
See DBE Motion to Dismiss:
See Headbangers Motion to Dismiss:
See Opinion of the Court:
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Boxing Podcast With Bob Yalen
My guest on this podcast is Connecticut Boxing Hall of Famer, six-time sports Emmy award-winner and new President of MTK Global Management, Bob Yalen. We spoke about the future of MTK's top fighters Tyson Fury, Carl Frampton and Billy Joe Saunders. We also spoke about MTK's broadcast deals with ESPN and IFL TV.
We then got into Bob's rich experience in the sport as a researcher for Flash Gordon, The Ring Record Book and Fight Fax. We also talked about his time as head of boxing programming at ABC and ESPN networks and as the Chairman of the WBC Ratings Committee. We closed with a discussion of the state of televised boxing today.
It was a really informative conversation. Enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
We then got into Bob's rich experience in the sport as a researcher for Flash Gordon, The Ring Record Book and Fight Fax. We also talked about his time as head of boxing programming at ABC and ESPN networks and as the Chairman of the WBC Ratings Committee. We closed with a discussion of the state of televised boxing today.
It was a really informative conversation. Enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Boxing Podcast With Steve Farhood
My guest on this podcast is Hall of Fame boxing writer and television commentator, Steve Farhood. We spoke about Steve's experience growing up in NYC in the 1970's and his first job out of college with London Publishing, where he founded the legendary KO Magazine. We also spoke about his time as Editor-in-Chief of The Ring Magazine and his nearly 20 years as an expert analyst on ShoBox. Steve also gave his insights on the state of game, where women's boxing is going and who he thinks will win the major fights in the next few months.
It was a great conversation. Enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
It was a great conversation. Enjoy!
This podcast is presented by The Ring. I'm honored to be working with The Ring and my good friend, Doug Fischer, the Editor-in-Chief. You can find the podcast on the website at Ringtv.com.
This podcast is distributed by the Leave It In The Ring podcast network. The LIITR network also includes great podcasts by founder David Duenez, Gabriel Montoya and Evan Rutkowski.
You can still find this podcast and older Boxing Esq. podcasts on this blog and on Soundcloud or subscribe to the Boxing Esq. Podcast on either iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcasts, please leave a comment or rating, that would be greatly appreciated. The podcast will appear on both the LIITR network of podcasts as well as under the Boxing Esq. Podcast name.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Mago Counsel Seeks Expedition Of Trial Date Due To Visa Concerns
An interesting issue was recently raised in a letter to the Court from plaintiff's counsel Paul Edelstein in the Magomed Abdusalamov ("Mago") case. Edelstein is trying to secure a trial date for Mago in New York Supreme Court, Kings County, before he has to file a petition for another extension of his visa to stay in the United States. The major concern is whether Mago will be granted another visa extension in order to stay in the US for the trial. The Court has currently scheduled the case for a trial assignment conference on July 16, 2019. Edelstein is requesting a trial date prior to June 2019, the deadline for submission of the next visa extension application.
If you are unfamiliar with Mago's case, he was injured by hard forearm to the face in the first round in his bout with Mike Perez at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 2013. Mago went the distance with Perez but lost in a very physical and competitive bout. Commission doctors examined him in his dressing room and allowed him to leave the arena. Soon after leaving, he started vomiting and was taken via taxi to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. He was placed in an induced coma and had surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.
The suit was originally filed in 2014 and named many members of the New York State Athletic Commission as well as the promoter K2 and the venue MSG. All defendants have been dismissed except for the ringside doctors who were working that night. Mago's attorneys first filed a note of issue with the Court, signaling they are ready for trial, on June 29, 2017.
See the letter to the Court below:
If you are unfamiliar with Mago's case, he was injured by hard forearm to the face in the first round in his bout with Mike Perez at Madison Square Garden on November 2, 2013. Mago went the distance with Perez but lost in a very physical and competitive bout. Commission doctors examined him in his dressing room and allowed him to leave the arena. Soon after leaving, he started vomiting and was taken via taxi to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. He was placed in an induced coma and had surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.
Mago, 38, is currently paralyzed on the right side of his body. His speech is severely impaired and doctors have stated he may never walk again.
Mago was originally granted a P-1 work status visa as an internationally recognized athlete, presumably in early 2009 when he first fought in the US. Once he was injured in the Perez fight, he petitioned and was granted a B-2 visa - which is a tourist visa. Edelstein states in the letter that the change in status was granted due in large part to his need to participate in the pending lawsuit and his serious medical needs. The B-2 has been repeatedly extended each time for a six-month period. The December 2018 petition for extension has not yet been decided on.
Edelstein is particularly concerned about Mago's visa status because his case has been transferred to an office in Nebraska. The office has a more "conservative reputation" than the prior office in Vermont.
Mago was originally granted a P-1 work status visa as an internationally recognized athlete, presumably in early 2009 when he first fought in the US. Once he was injured in the Perez fight, he petitioned and was granted a B-2 visa - which is a tourist visa. Edelstein states in the letter that the change in status was granted due in large part to his need to participate in the pending lawsuit and his serious medical needs. The B-2 has been repeatedly extended each time for a six-month period. The December 2018 petition for extension has not yet been decided on.
Edelstein is particularly concerned about Mago's visa status because his case has been transferred to an office in Nebraska. The office has a more "conservative reputation" than the prior office in Vermont.
The suit was originally filed in 2014 and named many members of the New York State Athletic Commission as well as the promoter K2 and the venue MSG. All defendants have been dismissed except for the ringside doctors who were working that night. Mago's attorneys first filed a note of issue with the Court, signaling they are ready for trial, on June 29, 2017.
See the letter to the Court below:
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Middendorf Wins Judgment For Over $500,000 Against Top Rank In Crawford Contract Dispute
Chris Middendorf's company Middendorf Sports won a judgment of $520,296.87 plus prejudgment interest in its suit against Top Rank in U.S. Federal Court, District of Nebraska, over their contractual percentage owed on Terence Crawford's purses for title defenses. Judge John Gerrard issued the opinion on Sunday.
This suit was brought in January 2017 after Top Rank stopped paying a fee equal to 8% of Crawford's title defense purses which they contracted to pay Middendorf in an Agreement and Release that enabled Crawford to sign with Top Rank back in 2011.
The Court found that the language in the Agreement and Release was "unambiguous" that "Top Rank is obliged to pay Middendorf eight percent of Crawford's 'purse' for any Crawford "title defense" that Top Rank promotes pursuant to a promotional rights agreement." The Court determined that the obligation to pay the fee did not terminate when Top Rank signed Crawford to an Exclusive Restated Promotional Agreement in 2014. The Court had essentially made this determination in its opinion on Top Rank's motion for summary judgment back in April 2018.
The parties still had a dispute over the meaning of the terms "purse" and "title defense" and recently went to trial over these issues.
Top Rank argued that the term "purse" did not include additional revenues from gate participation that were paid to Crawford. The Court disagreed and held that gate participation was also part of the purse. The Court found that the term "purse", within the meaning of the Agreement and Release, meant "simply the remuneration paid to Crawford."
Regarding the meaning of the term "title defense", Top Rank argued that a "unification bout" did not come under the definition of a "title defense" and was a separate type of bout where no fees were owed to Middendorf. The Court found that "Top Rank's argument that the categories of "title defense" and "unification bout" are mutually exclusive is not supported by the evidence." The Court reasoned that a bout can be both a unification and a title defense.
No word on whether Top Rank will appeal.
See the Court's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law:
See the Judgment:
This suit was brought in January 2017 after Top Rank stopped paying a fee equal to 8% of Crawford's title defense purses which they contracted to pay Middendorf in an Agreement and Release that enabled Crawford to sign with Top Rank back in 2011.
The Court found that the language in the Agreement and Release was "unambiguous" that "Top Rank is obliged to pay Middendorf eight percent of Crawford's 'purse' for any Crawford "title defense" that Top Rank promotes pursuant to a promotional rights agreement." The Court determined that the obligation to pay the fee did not terminate when Top Rank signed Crawford to an Exclusive Restated Promotional Agreement in 2014. The Court had essentially made this determination in its opinion on Top Rank's motion for summary judgment back in April 2018.
The parties still had a dispute over the meaning of the terms "purse" and "title defense" and recently went to trial over these issues.
Top Rank argued that the term "purse" did not include additional revenues from gate participation that were paid to Crawford. The Court disagreed and held that gate participation was also part of the purse. The Court found that the term "purse", within the meaning of the Agreement and Release, meant "simply the remuneration paid to Crawford."
Regarding the meaning of the term "title defense", Top Rank argued that a "unification bout" did not come under the definition of a "title defense" and was a separate type of bout where no fees were owed to Middendorf. The Court found that "Top Rank's argument that the categories of "title defense" and "unification bout" are mutually exclusive is not supported by the evidence." The Court reasoned that a bout can be both a unification and a title defense.
No word on whether Top Rank will appeal.
See the Court's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law:
See the Judgment:
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Boxing Esq. Podcast #77 Larry Goldberg
My guest this episode is local promoter Larry Goldberg, of Boxing Insider Promotions. Larry has a show coming up on Friday at the Tropica...
