The WBC has set a new purse bid for May 29th between their light heavyweight titlist, Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev. Earlier Jake Donovan detailed this situation that saw Main Events pull Kovalev out of a scheduled purse bid between the two sides on April 17th.
So what is the reaction of Main Events to this development?
The head of Main Events, Kathy Duva told BoxingScene.com via email:
"I have advised the WBC twice that, while we wish to continue to try to negotiate with the Stevenson camp, Sergey Kovalev will not participate in a purse bid. However, Sergey very much wants the fight to happen. To that end, last week I asked Yvon Michel to meet with me and HBO and make a fair deal based upon a 50/50 split of all the revenue. Thus far, Michel has not responded to that request."
"Sergey is an HBO fighter and he plans to remain with HBO—the number one US network for professional boxing--for the foreseeable future. Reportedly Stevenson, who is coming up on his 38th birthday in September, has no ties to any television network. Therefore, if Adonis truly desires the opportunity to fight for Sergey’s three world championship belts, he must recognize that the only way this fight will take place will be on HBO or through HBO PPV’s distribution network."
"The sooner the Stevenson camp comes to terms with this reality, the sooner we can sit down together, get a deal done, and make the fight that everyone wants to see happen."
http://www.boxingscene.com/main-events-no-interest-stevenson-kovalev-purse-bid--90139
So what is the reaction of Main Events to this development?
The head of Main Events, Kathy Duva told BoxingScene.com via email:
"I have advised the WBC twice that, while we wish to continue to try to negotiate with the Stevenson camp, Sergey Kovalev will not participate in a purse bid. However, Sergey very much wants the fight to happen. To that end, last week I asked Yvon Michel to meet with me and HBO and make a fair deal based upon a 50/50 split of all the revenue. Thus far, Michel has not responded to that request."
"Sergey is an HBO fighter and he plans to remain with HBO—the number one US network for professional boxing--for the foreseeable future. Reportedly Stevenson, who is coming up on his 38th birthday in September, has no ties to any television network. Therefore, if Adonis truly desires the opportunity to fight for Sergey’s three world championship belts, he must recognize that the only way this fight will take place will be on HBO or through HBO PPV’s distribution network."
"The sooner the Stevenson camp comes to terms with this reality, the sooner we can sit down together, get a deal done, and make the fight that everyone wants to see happen."
http://www.boxingscene.com/main-events-no-interest-stevenson-kovalev-purse-bid--90139
