Connect with us

Featured Articles

Triller Fight Club: Boxing’s Keystone Kops

Published

on

Triller-Fight-Club-Boxing's-Keystone-Kops

Triller Fight Club: Boxing’s Keystone Kops

Teofimo Lopez scored one of the biggest upsets of 2020 when he comfortably outpointed Vasyl Lomachenko. It earned him three pieces of the world lightweight title and set him up for some mouth-watering fights down the line with the likes of Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, and Ryan Garcia, all of whom, like Teofimo, are currently undefeated. A lucrative rematch with Lomachenko was also on the drawing board. But first things first, and before any of those bouts could materialize Teofimo had an IBF “mandatory” to get out of the way. George Kambosos, an Australian of Greek ancestry, victorious by split decision in each of his last two bouts, was the appointee.

Enter Triller. The upstart company out-bid the sport’s two leading promoters, Matchroom and Top Rank, to secure the bout.

What was shocking was not the fact that Triller won the bid, but the extent to which it out-bid other interested parties. Triller offered $6.018M compared with $3.56M by Matchroom and $2.315M by Top Rank.

A fellow walks into a jewelry store where he is entranced by a gold necklace in the display case. “I see this necklace has a $25,000 price tag,” he says to the proprietor. “Would you be willing to take 40 thousand for it?”

Triller submitted its winning bid in February. The company then set about determining a date and venue. On April 16, the company announced that the event would be staged in Miami at the city’s major league baseball park on June 5. An exhibition between Evander Holyfield, 58, and Kevin McBride, 48, would serve as a supporting attraction.

When that date proved unacceptable, the fight was pushed back two weeks with no change in venue. But then on June 14, with the fight only five days away, Lopez tested positive for COVID and the fight had to be pushed back again.

This was a tough break for Triller, but the circus that followed was all of their own doing.

August 14 was Triller’s next announced date, although they had yet to lock in a venue. Predictably nothing came of it. In fact, on that date ESPN published a story by Mike Coppinger in which Ryan Kavanaugh, the co-founder and face of Triller, said he planned to take the fight to the Middle East. “We are currently working with the regulatory bodies to bring this fight to Saudi (Arabia) or UAE (United Arab Emirates) in October,” said Kavanaugh. “We think it’s the perfect place for such a landmark fight.”

Prior to that and beyond, Kavanaugh talked about taking the fight to Sydney, Australia, in mid-October. Teofimo Lopez kiboshed that idea. It would have likely required a 14-day quarantine after he and his team arrived in the country. How is one supposed to prepare for a title fight, any fight, while being confined to his room?

The next official date was Tuesday, Oct. 5. The venue would be the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. But when Triller was informed that that the New York Yankees might be home that night hosting the Red Sox in a one-game playoff, they moved the fight up 24 hours. (As it turned out, the Yankees will indeed be playing the Red Sox on Tuesday, but the game will be played in Boston.)

After announcing the switch, it dawned on Triller that Oct. 4 wasn’t a good date either because the fight would be going head-to-head with Monday Night Football. Ergo, they came up with yet another new date, Saturday, Oct. 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. But Kambosos balked, tired of the merry-go-around, and that prompted Triller to wash its hands of the fight.

The lawyers are now involved. Kombosos’ legal counsel sent a letter to the IBF stating that Triller was in default. Triller countered by asking the IBF to strip Kambosos of his ranking and requesting an immediate refund of its purse bid deposit, reportedly $1,203,600, of which Kambosos would be entitled to 35 percent if his default request were granted, a far cry from the $2.1 million he stood to earn if the fight had come to fruition on one of the appointed dates

According to ESPN’s Kevin Iole, Triller had already invested nearly $10 million in the promotion, money it cannot recoup. But it’s hard to feel sorry for the folks who brought us the Holyfield-Belfort debacle.

Check out more boxing news on video at the Boxing Channel

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles7 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles6 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles6 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles7 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending