By Rick Reeno

Promoter Gary Shaw has advised BoxingScene.com that former champion Paul Spadafora (48-0-1, 19KOs) has rejected the opportunity to face Thomas Dulorme (18-1, 13KOs) in an HBO Latino televised fight on August 17th at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City. The card is headlined by an HBO televised showdown between IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale and British contender Darren Barker.

Shaw indicates to BoxingScene that he reached an agreement with Roy Jones Jr., who was representing Spadafora as his promoter in the negotiations. Dulorme and his team were fully on board with the fight.

After reaching an agreement with Jones, Shaw had a contract put together and issued for Spadafora's signature. However, Shaw was advised on Wednesday that Spadafora turned the fight down.

Spadafora turns 38-years-old in September and he's been hunting for a lucrative opportunity for the last few years. Dulorme would have been the perfect opportunity for Spadafora to showcase his skills against his best opponent in years. A good win, on an HBO televised card, with HBO execs watching from ringside - would have done Spadafora some much needed good for his career. Time is not on his side and Dulorme is one of several good opponents that Spadafora turned down in the last few years.