By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
Teddy Atlas, expert analyst for ESPN's Friday Night Fights, applauds the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association for refusing to sanction Danny Garcia's upcoming fight against Rod Salka on August 9th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Salka (19-3, 3KOs), a lightweight contender who wasn't even rated at 135-pounds by either sanctioning body, was universally labeled by the media, and fans, as being undeserving of a world title shot.
A few weeks ago on Friday Night Fights, Atlas blasted the sanctioning bodies for even considering the idea of sanctioning the fight, calling it a 'crime against boxing.'
"I'm glad that they listened. I'm glad that I was able to create an effect that is better for boxing, because boxing needs to fight for it's credibility. Things like that deteriorate it's credibility," Atlas told BoxingScene.com.
With Garcia-Salka being a non-title fight, Atlas has no issue with Garcia going forward against an opponent who is going to be tabbed as a huge underdog.
"No, I don't have a problem [with the fight]. It's not for the title. He's not rated. He didn't deserve to be rated. Danny Garcia has the option. This business is about making money. He earned the right to make money. He won a world title. He puts himself in peril. He puts himself at risk all the time. Let him make money and take the least amount of his risk when he can. There's going to be times when he can't, when he's going to have to fight the best - and that's when it's for the title," Atlas said.