Pranksters Are Trying to Wreck Amir Khan's Title Bid
By Terence Dooley
Frank Warren’s organisation has angrily claimed that pranksters are trying to derail Amir Khan's July 18th fight against Andreas Kotelnik. Warren's son, Francis, told the Manchester Evening News that posters depicting the fight, which also give out vital ticket details, are being defaced with large, yellow 'cancelled' stickers. At least 20 posters have been defiled; it is disconcerting for all involved.
In recent weeks spurious online rumours stating that Kotelnik was out of the contest, and John Murray was in, were furiously denied by all parties. Indeed, Murray actually phoned BoxingScene.com to ask us if he was about to be offered the Khan fight.
This latest incident is reminiscent of the infamous Stone Roses graffiti affair, when members of the band allegedly drove around Manchester tagging walls with 'The Stone Roses', in a nifty piece of free advertising. This latest stunt could be down to Murray’s fans, Khan’s enemies, or rampaging librarians.
“We've no idea who is responsible but they seem determined to scupper the fight,” said Francis Warren Junior when speaking to the MEN. “There were rumours a few weeks ago on the internet that Kotelnik had a hand injury and was going to be replaced by John Murray. But Kotelnik's promoter has come out and said there's nothing wrong with his fighter and that he is perfectly healthy. We are expecting him to fly in on Saturday. Just in case fans out there are worried the fight won't take place, I want to reassure them it most certainly will.”
‘Stickergate’ is now officially over; people can sleep easy once more, aside from the men, or women, who have defaced the posters, they have committed a crime, and if they are caught they will face the full weight of the British legal system, they must be shaking in their Rockport’s.
Please send news and views to neckodeemus@hotmail.co.uk
