“75” rows=”20″ style=”width:100%; height:550px;” class=”mceEditor”> In case you missed the recent development surrounding Jeff Wald, Executive Producer for The Contender reality series and head honcho of Tournament of Contenders promotional group, and Boxingtalk editor Greg Leon you can click here to read Wald’s side of the story or click here to read Leon’s side. Apparently the argument erupted after Wald took offense to Leon’s dismissal of Alfonso Gomez as a viable opponent for Miguel Cotto. And Boxingtalk was not the only site in Wald’s cross-hairs as Boxing Confidential apparently received a call from Wald after a similar opinion was voiced. Normally I would dismiss this with little to no afterthought until the remarks from Wald about banning Boxingtalk from receiving credentials to his promotions. Now this sets a bad precedent. Those may remember a few months ago Steve Kim of Maxboxing reported that Lou DiBella had threatened to pull their credentials from all of his promoted shows after taking offense to something written on their site. Nobody wins in this battle. Writers should not fear writing their opinion with the threat of being blacklisted from events because the promoter does not like what is written. Granted the Boxing Writers Association of America offers assistance in mediating such arguments but the fact that a promoter can and will pull credentials from the very individuals who cover their events. Like the old adage, you are cutting off your nose to spite your face. Boxing sites and their writers are the main outlets for coverage of a sport that his been marginalized by the mainstream press here in America. When writers compromise their integrity to appease a promoter the fight fans are being wronged. I simply do not like to see it happen and fear that a Pandora’s Box could be opened if more promoters start to follow suit. Anyway that is my $0.02; let me know what you think.
Promoters Vs. Boxing Sites: Nobody Wins
Posted by Tim Starks on Jan 17, 2008 18:24
