By Yuri Tarantin
Russian businessman Andrey Ryabinsky, representing WBA cruiserweight champion Denis Lebdev, is shocked that he hasn't been able to close a deal for the rematch with Guillermo Jones, after offering $800,000 to Jones' promoter Don King. The purse bid has already been pushed back to January 6th, and the promoters plan to ask for an additional extension to January 26th.
Earlier this year, Jones knocked Lebedev out in the eleventh round, but then tested positive for a banned substance and his title was stripped from him. The WBA ordered them to fight again.
"For the fight with Jones, we offered $800,000 dollars. That price is four times the market value [of Jones]. By proposing this amount, I was hoping that the issue will be resolved quickly with the contract, and there would be no problem. But this did not happen - because Don King is still making demands. I'm already getting tired of it. With all due respect to the King, a symbol of professional boxing, to negotiate with him is very difficult," Ryabinsky said.
Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru.