Comments Thread For: Stephen Fulton-Naoya Inoue: The WBO Opens a Window

[WBC WBA IBF]

They let Porter do it. He’s a bigger draw than Fulton is.

Porter wasn't a champion and had already been beaten several times. More importantly, he was being used to ensure that Arum couldn't screw Crawford on the way out the door and ruin Spence vs. Crawford.

There is a long history of Top Rank's stars losing an absolutely outrageous decision in the final fight of their Top Rank contract if they refuse to sign an extension. It happened to Pacquiao in the first Bradley fight and happened to Pacquiao again against Jeff Horn. It's well known in the industry that Top Rank will try to screw you in your final fight if they know you're leaving.

That is why Haymon installed Porter as Crawford's mandatory and timed things perfectly so the mandatory would be due as Crawford's final fight on his Top Rank deal. There'd be no incentive for Arum to screw Crawford on the cards because then Porter would just take the belt to PBC anyway.

[jockpunk]

I don't exactly know what the paydays are like in Japan, but I am guessing fulton can make way more fighting inoue in japan than he can pretty much anyone in the us. Depends what haymon values more, fulton's 0 or the best payday of his career.

[Boxfan83]

I hope Figueroa is coming to the East Coast! Fulton has earned the right to be in his own backyard this time! Philly or Brooklyn will do!

I agree about being deserving but fighters do horrible at home unless they've been steadily fighting at home. I think it's kind of a curse to go back home for a big fight.

[Bronx2245]

I agree about being deserving but fighters do horrible at home unless they've been steadily fighting at home. I think it's kind of a curse to go back home for a big fight.

Well then at least give him Barclay's in Brooklyn! He should not have to fight out West, with a predominantly Mexican crowd! He already did that many times! Let his people be there to cheer for him this time!

[L. Cipher]

While I’m skeptical. I do think it’s possible. They won’t collaborate but they might let Fulton fight on ESPN I think.

I think it's unlikely, but Top Rank and PBC wouldn't have to collaborate... If Fulton continues to campaign at 122 (as unlikely as that seems) the WBO would mandate the fight and it would go to purse bid where Top Rank and TGB would bid and the winner could put the fight on as they see fit. But if Fulton and Figueroa fight at 126 next as it seems will be the case. I don't see Fulton going back down to 122, although he's talked about wanting to fight Inoue so I guess it's somewhere in the realm of possibility.

[Boxfan83]

Well then at least give him Barclay's in Brooklyn! He should not have to fight out West, with a predominantly Mexican crowd! He already did that many times! Let his people be there to cheer for him this time!

Barclay's seems like a great venue for this fight.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Porter wasn't a champion and had already been beaten several times. More importantly, he was being used to ensure that Arum couldn't screw Crawford on the way out the door and ruin Spence vs. Crawford.

There is a long history of Top Rank's stars losing an absolutely outrageous decision in the final fight of their Top Rank contract if they refuse to sign an extension. It happened to Pacquiao in the first Bradley fight and happened to Pacquiao again against Jeff Horn. It's well known in the industry that Top Rank will try to screw you in your final fight if they know you're leaving.

That is why Haymon installed Porter as Crawford's mandatory and timed things perfectly so the mandatory would be due as Crawford's final fight on his Top Rank deal. There'd be no incentive for Arum to screw Crawford on the cards because then Porter would just take the belt to PBC anyway.

Regardless, it shows it’s possible if the money is right.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I think it's unlikely, but Top Rank and PBC wouldn't have to collaborate... If Fulton continues to campaign at 122 (as unlikely as that seems) the WBO would mandate the fight and it would go to purse bid where Top Rank and TGB would bid and the winner could put the fight on as they see fit. But if Fulton and Figueroa fight at 126 next as it seems will be the case. I don't see Fulton going back down to 122, although he's talked about wanting to fight Inoue so I guess it's somewhere in the realm of possibility.

I don’t think it’s probable but I do think it’s possible. Depends on whether Fulton digs his heels and demands the fight with Inoue.

[WBC WBA IBF]

Regardless, it shows it’s possible if the money is right.

Anything is possible if the money is right, but there's no scenario here where the money will be right.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Anything is possible if the money is right, but there's no scenario here where the money will be right.

The people in charge will make that judgment. Not me or you. Arum and Haymon have proven they’ll work together for the right fight.