‘It has all the ingredients of an epic and classic battle‘ – Emmanuel Steward
MATTHEW Macklin has proved to be the stumbling block in getting Limerick’s Andy Lee and John Duddy into the ring in Limerick as neither boxer wanted to be tied into fight with the European Champion and fifth ranked boxer in the world, despite a lucrative six figure purse.
Brian Peters revealed that he tried to schedule the fight for New Year’s Day in Limerick with the winner taking on Macklin in Birmingham on March 19 to coincide with the Ireland versus England rugby match.
However, Peters’ efforts and his six figure purse were in vein as both fighters refused to be tied in to a deal.
“I first tried to make the fight for November of 2009, but I also tried again more recently and on August 17 last I made detailed written offers to both John and Andy’s management teams. I subsequently spoke to John’s manager, Craig Hamilton and also met with Andy.
With TV coverage scheduled for both bouts, “the offer to each fighter was for a six figure sum with the winner to receive a further six figure sum to fight Matthew so from a financial point of view it was certainly quite lucrative and above and beyond the type of purses that they could command for any other fight right now.
“The indications I received from both sides were that they were interested in fighting each other but the prospect of the winner having to fight Macklin as part of the deal seemed to be the stumbling block,” said Peters.
But Peters has not backed down and has said that he will attempt to get the fights on again.
Craig Hamilton, John Duddy’s manager had said that he was interested in putting his boxer in the ring with Andy Lee and said that he was in talks with Emmanuel Steward.
Venues such as the UL Arena, The O2 and Madison Square Garden are still being touted to host this possible fight.
