Australian Heavyweight Lucas "Big Daddy" Browne says the ball is firmly in Dillian Whyte's court as to whether the proposed clash on March 24 is to go ahead. The bout has been slated for the O2 Arena in London and both boxers have been very vocal in calling for the fight to be made.
"I heard from my promotional team this morning. They informed me that Eddie Hearn has been in touch and he said that Whyte is in control of the financials. I guess that means there's a certain amount in the pot for the fight. Apparently Eddie is going to have one last try to get Whyte to move," said Browne.
Browne's manager Matt Clark continued: "There were rumours on the net that we had been offered $300,000. I can categorically say that the purse we are asking for is less than that. We want a fair purse for Lucas for what will be an absolute tear up of a fight."
"I just hope Whyte doesn't deny the fans this fight," Browne continued. "I have an option in the United States that has a lot more money on the table and against a top notch opponent, but coming to London and belting Whyte in front of the fantastic UK boxing crowd is my preferred choice. Let's hope Dillian isn't too greedy. I know he'll be earning more than me, that's fine. I just want a fair amount and I'll sign the deal, train, fly over to London and bash him."
IN OTHER NEWS: The WBC continues moving in a stately manner, towards the 2000th title battle in its history, via the finest combats.
Tomorrow, December 30th at the Bunka Gym in Yokohama, Japan, local hero Ken Shiro defends his WBC light flyweight crown against Panamanian challenger Gilberto Pedroza. This is fight number one thousand nine hundred and eighty nine.
Ken has notched 11 victories in his brief but brilliant and undefeated professional career. And this will be the second defense of the belt he won by defeating Mexican Ganigan Lopez in May.
Challenger Gilberto Pedroza has built a record of 18-3-2 and he is ranked 11th in the WBC lists. Both are 25 years old. T
he third man in the ring will be Laurence Cole. The Judges will be Ed Pearson, Pete Cheatham and Hubert Minn. The Supervisor on behalf the World Boxing Council will be Major Lee.