By Rick Reeno
Richard Schaefer, CEO for Golden Boy Promotions, has confirmed BoxingScene.com's recent story regarding the ongoing negotiations to finalize a junior welterweight unification between champions Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley. Schaefer confirms that HBO reached out to his company and requested a minor extension to provide some additional time for Bradley to accept an offer of $1.3 million to face Khan on July 23.
Schaefer has give Bradley's side until Wednesday afternoon at 4PM.
According to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, Bradley is unhappy with the current financial terms. Based on an HBO agreement which stems from the January win over Devon Alexander, Bradley is guaranteed $1.2 million for his next HBO televised fight. Going by those terms, Bradley can fight a softer touch and stay within reach of the current Khan offer.
"HBO did call me today and asked me to extend the deadline for Bradley to accept the fight until Wednesday at 4PM, Eastern Time. Amir has accepted the fight. Maybe a month ago, when I talked to [Bradley's promoter] Gary Shaw, he told me that his side had accepted it as well. I don't know what happened from then to now, but now it sounds to me that Timothy doesn't want to take the fight any longer," Schaefer told BoxingScene.com.
"I find it interesting because once he was in, based on [the word of] his promoter Gary Shaw, and he made all of these comments that Amir would never take the fight. Amir said 'it's okay, let's do it' and now suddenly he pulls out. I know Timothy and I don't think he's the kind of person who is afraid of fighting somebody. He's a terrific young man and a great fighter and a great champion, but I just wonder what the hell is going on. Why would he suddenly not want to fight anymore?"
There are unconfirmed rumors in the industry, that Bradley is not accepting the offer to face Khan in order to allow his promotional contract with Gary Shaw to expire. Bradley's contract with Shaw reportedly expires in June.
With or without Bradley, Khan is going to return in an HBO televised fight on July 23. There are numerous alternatives for Khan, says Schaefer. The possibilities include a unification with IBF champ Zab Judah, a rematch with interim-WBA belt-holder Marcos Maidana, a clash with interim-WBA/WBO lightweight king Robert Guerrero or a showdown with former three division champion Erik Morales.
There are three venues on hold for Khan's next fight - including the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California.
"The potential pool of opponents could include, in no particular order, a rematch with Marcos Maidana, or it could be a great showdown with two of the young stars - which are Amir Khan and Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero, or it could be a fight against the legend - which would be Amir against Erik Morales - or it could be a bout between Amir and Zab Judah," Schaefer said.
"I will have to evaluate these options and see who's available, who's interested and who makes the most sense from a financial point as well, because I believe each one of those names I just mentioned are all very intriguing matchups, are all very big fights and are all fights that fight fans would want to see. I think each one brings a very interesting angle and a very interesting story to the table."