Ward-Dirrell: Showtime Sends Legal Letters Warning Both
By Lem Satterfield
Showtime, the network behind the ongoing Super Six Boxing Classic, has issued legal letters to promoters Dan Goossen and Gary Shaw, advising both sides that their fighters, WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward and once-beaten Andre Dirrell, have to go through with their scheduled fight in the Super Six tournament, and gave both promoters three potential dates. Showtime, threatening legal action, directed both boxers to fight on either September 25, or two alternate dates in early October.
Ward and Dirrell are scheduled to meet in the third stage of the Super Six on September 25. There is still no venue for the fight and unless a miracle takes place, the fight will not move forward on the date. In mid-2009, the participants of the Super Six, and their promoters, signed binding contracts to follow Showtime's tournament layout and proceed with the scheduled fights. During the last few weeks, there have been industry rumors that Ward and Dirrell, who are close friends, were looking for ways to avoid their scheduled fight.
Shaw, who promotes Dirrell, said Showtime, per their letter, would hold both sides in "breach of contract" if the fight didn't happen on one of the three date provided. And although Dirrell was quoted as saying that his fight with Ward "is being postponed," Shaw is not aware of any official postponement. Shaw disclosed that there is no finalized deal with Ward's promoter, Goossen, and no venue has been secured.
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here .
