By James Blears
The World Boxing Council has sent an official letter to British Promoter Frank Warren requiring payment of the sanctioning fee for Joe Calzaghe's Nov. 3 super fight with Mikkel Kessler.
WBC rules require the sanction to be paid by the Promoter at the very latest, by the final weigh-in 24-hours before the fight. However, WBC President Jose Sulaiman confirms no payment has yet been received.
Don Jose said that Frank Warren must understand that the WBC is a non profit organization which has many commitments around the world. He explained that many boxers who were heroes in their times, but today they are living in poverty. So the WBC provides them with food, medicines and hospital treatment.
He stressed: “What we get in sanction fees is not for us. It’s for the sport of boxing. And if he doesn’t comply with the rules, he just doesn’t have the right to have WBC opportunities.”
Don Jose added that Joe Calzaghe is not responsible in any way for this situation and: “I’ve heard many good stories about him and he’s a gentlemen, very decent and a great champion. And I don’t want to say one single statement that is not respectful of him.”
However the WBC cannot approve any of Joe Calzaghe’s future fights under its auspices, until the sanction fee is paid.
