By Mark Vester
Dan Goossen, promoter for WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams, has sent a hefty offer to Bob Arum of Top Rank for a 2009 unification rematch with WBA champion Antonio Margarito. Williams won a close decision over Margarito last year.
Arum has mentioned several opponents for Margarito's next fight, but Williams is not one them. The reason given by Arum is the bad blood with Williams' advisor, Al Haymon. Goossen told boxing scribe Tim Smith that he sent Arum an offer for the rematch last week and has yet to hear back from anyone in Top Rank. Margarito's purse for the first Williams bout is still the highest of his career, $1.6 million to $1.5 for what he made against Miguel Cotto
"I sent Bob and offer sheet for a $4 million guarantee for the rematch in the first quarter of 2009 against 50% of the revenue," Goossen said. "If he rejected any part of the agreement he could flip it and I'll accept the same terms."
Arum told several outlets that he wanted to match Margarito against the winner of Joshua Clottey-Zab Judah, which Clottey won to capture the IBF welterweight title. Goossen told Smith that a fight against either is not good for the sport.
"It certainly does make things easier for him, but it does nothing good for the sport," said Dan Goossen, Williams' promoter. "It's his prerogative. But we shouldn't let our personal greed dictate the sport. Paul Williams can certainly fight someone else on HBO, but it won't be as lucrative and it won't be as big a match for the fans."
If Williams is unable to land Margarito, Goossen says that he will probably get his mandatory defense out the way by facing Michael Jennings.
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