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BJ Flores Sets the Record
Straight About Godfrey “Offer”
June 30, 2008
Photo: (archived)Godfrey |
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PHOENIX, AZ (June 30, 2008) World ranked and
undefeated cruiserweight BJ Flores wanted to set the record straight
regarding media reports that he rejected an “offer” to fight CES promoted
Matt Godfrey next month on ESPN2.
Speaking following a training session with former heavyweight world champion
Hasim Rahman in Phoenix , Arizona , Flores said, “Let me set the record
straight. CES has Aaron Williams and Matt Godfrey. Williams had wanted to
fight me after my win over Darnell Wilson in February. I was fine with that
at the time, but I was okay with waiting until after his fight with Jose
Luis Herrera.”
“Williams got knocked out by Herrera so we said let’s fight Herrera. We went
back and for with Jimmy Burchfield from CES for a while about terms. I don’t
think CES wanted us to fight Herrera and we get asked if we’re interested in
fighting Godfrey. No date, no money offer, no location. Just if we’re
interested.
“We needed to know much more about the deal, especially the money, date,
network and location. And that’s what we asked for and they never provided
that specific information let alone showed us a contract. A request for more
information does not constitute a rejection.”
“The bottom line is that Matt’s a gent; he was down here in Phoenix with me
training with Hasim. We get along fine but I don’t think he wants to fight
me for short end money, like $15,000, on ESPN, when the fight is worth much
more. Nothing against ESPN, they’ve been great to me, but the purses should
be bigger for us to fight, especially if I have to go to CES’s backyard to
do it.”
"We’ve both worked hard in our careers to get to this point; this would be a
SHOBOX or HBO Boxing After Dark type bout. It’s perfect for them and in
keeping with what they’re trying to. Bottom line is make us a true offer and
we’ll make a decision. If I had no fear of the biggest puncher in the
division, I have no fear of anyone else."
Said longtime manager of Flores, Lou Mesorano, “All due respect to Jimmy
Burchfield, this fight doesn’t make sense for ESPN money. It’s worth much
more than that. We’re willing to fight anyone and proved that in our last
bout with Wilson .”
“These are the two best American cruisers. This is the pros, not the
amateurs.”
Flores, 21-0-1 (13KO’s) is currently ranked # 2 by the IBF, # 5 by the WBO
and # 8 by the WBA. |
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