By Shaun Brown
Frank Warren was unsuccessful in his pursued lawsuit against the British Boxing Board of Control, as per a court ruling on Tuesday.
The famed British promoter attempted to sue the BBBofC for damages in relation to issues surrounding the purse bids for a British and Commonwealth middleweight title contest between (champion) Billy Joe Saunders (promoted by Warren) and (challenger) John Ryder (promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing), which took place last September.
Matchroom had initially won the purse bids but lost out to Warren after incorrectly filling out their paperwork which failed to indicate how much would be given to each fighter in the split that would see 60% go to the champion and 40% to the challenger.
The BBBofC has yet to formally announce the ruling, but BoxingScene.com caught up with General Secretary Robert Smith, who attended court and offered his take.
“It’s one of those things, it’s unfortunate but he [Warren] had to do what he did and he lost. Simple as that,” Smith told BoxingScene.com on Wednesday afternoon. “Technically their [Matchroom] paperwork was wrong but the judge decided everybody knew it was 60% for the champion. It’s a thing in the sport, everyone knows that. It was a simple mistake.”
BoxingScene.com asked Smith if this situation has dampened relations between the Board and Warren.
“As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t,” Smith commented. “It’s life, we move on. We’re a small, little boxing community and we have to get on. Other problems arrive today, tomorrow and we get on with it.”
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