Thomas Hauser, who is really on a roll of late with his "HBO: 2008" article, has written another very intriguing piece, this one I found at ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3414631
It's a detailed account about the relationship between prospects-turned-contenders Anthony and Lamont Peterson and Shelly Finkel. I recommend reading the whole thing.
The best part of the piece is none other than Don King, who, when asked about Finkel, said:
"Anyone who tries to deal in good faith with Shelly Finkel winds up getting 'Finkeled.' And that's not good. Finkeling is much worse than tinkling. It's hard to explain to someone who has never been Finkeled what the experience is like. He does it with words, but words fail to describe it."
Hauser is one of my top 5 favorite writers dead or alive. His background as a lawyer makes him ideal for these kind of subjects.
http://a995.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_5519d118d31021f665bdb5c774aaafd2.jpg
Agreed. He's boxing's best in-depth feature writer.
Ironically, in regards to this story, Brian Young was on the radio this morning and he badmouthed Finkel as someone who is a "bad person" and that he "has never talked to him."
Hmmm...
The host had looked at the story though, and what Brian said doesn't exactly jive with what is there, unless he can say that because they used mediators to make the agreements with Finkel.
Obviously Brian would have a reason to be upset with Finkel, he never delivered the long-term contract and now the Petersons are Top Rank fighters.
Brian said that they are "co-promoters" with Top Rank, but the story sure makes it seem like there were never any discussions between Prize Fight and Top Rank, just Top Rank and the Petersons and their attorney.
Fascinating stuff.
This Hauser dude is the fucking man with the last 2 articles from him that I have read.
Hauser is one of my top 5 favorite writers dead or alive. His background as a lawyer makes him ideal for these kind of subjects.
http://a995.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_5519d118d31021f665bdb5c774aaafd2.jpg