By Jhonny Gonzalez
The sides have been taken on the career of WBA bantamweight champion Anselo "Chemito" Moreno - and the legal battle is ready to erupt.
Roberto Grimaldo, the manager of Moreno, has revealed that he plans to sue for damages against promoter Carlos González for a breach of contract. He says Gonzalez did not live up to his end of the agreement by staging a show where Moreno was scheduled to defend his title against Lorenzo Parra. The fight was first announced for February 18, then to the 19th of March and then April 20.
“Carlos González breached the contract he signed with Roberto Grimaldo, which called for Anselmo Moreno to fight with the Venezuelan Lorenzo Parra. For that reason we will sue," said Victor Orobio, attorney for Grimaldo.
The manager is also upset because he holds a valid contract with Moreno until August 2015, but Gonzalez is currently trying to negotiate a promotional deal, on behalf of Moreno, with Golden Boy Promotions. As reported previously, the Golden Boy deal is a two year pact worth $1.2 million, with four fights paying $100K, $250K, $350K and $500K. Grimaldo says Gonzalez has no right to represent his boxer in any negotiations.
Gonzalez has stated that he is only a middleman who is looking out for the best interest of Moreno and not looking to profit from the deal. If Moreno signs the deal with Golden Boy, Gonzalez claims the contract will give the boxer $400K right from the start. The Panamanian promoter is trying to make the Golden Boy deal through well-known boxing agent Sampson Lewkowicz.
"I'm just an intermediary and it hurts me because things are being said that are untrue, that I'm trying to take advantage of Moreno by having him sign with Golden Boy. The company is linked with Sampson Lewkowicz, and not Carlos Gonzalez," said Gonzalez.
"If Grimaldo does not accept this offer for Moreno, then he must must have something better for the boxer. $400,000 is a good offer and I believe Dr. Grimaldo doesn't bill that much at his clinic in a year."
