Sulaiman asked Smith, “Do you work for Queensberry? … This is your opinion. You’re interfering."

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM.


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  1. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Thoughts?

    As reported in Boxing Scene

    BANGKOK, Thailand - There was a lively start to the WBC mandatories meeting when Lawrence Okolie, ranked first at heavyweight, was ordered to face Moses Itauma for the right to challenge champion Oleksandr Usyk.

    With Usyk opting to take a voluntary defense during the first half of 2026, likely against Deontay Wilder, and interim champion Agit Kabayel fighting January 10, a snit occurred on the panel when trainer Joe Gallagher asked for No. 1-ranked and two-division champion Okolie to be named the mandatory.

    Sulaiman rejected the idea, saying, “We do not favor mandating fights as a protocol if [the bouts are] not of the highest possible level,” and then moved to order Okolie, 22-1 (16 KOs), to an eliminator against dynamic 20-year-old Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), who is ranked No. 4.

    That brought British Boxing Board of Control head and WBC board member Robert Smith to announce, “That’s not going to happen. It’s sensible but not going to happen.”

    Not only are Itauma and Okolie both Queensberry Promotions products, the plan had been for Itauma to fight Jermaine Franklin in January, and then meet the winner of the WBA secondary title bout between Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev.

    That bothered Sulaiman, who asked Smith, “Do you work for Queensberry? … This is your opinion. You’re interfering.”

    A Queensberry representative, Lee Eaton, approached to state that it was too early to say whether or not Itauma and Okolie would be willing to fight each other if that bout would be ordered.

    With that, the board approved Okolie-Itauma.
     
    Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
    Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
    #1
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  2. HypeMaster

    HypeMaster New Member banned Full Member

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    So bizarre why Smith felt the need to reply with “That’s not going to happen. It’s sensible but not going to happen.”

    Why does Smith not want it to happen? I don't get it. What's it to do with him? hmm.
     
    HypeMaster, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
    HypeMaster, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
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  3. CutThroatFade

    CutThroatFade Rangers FC Full Member

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    Smith is a dodgy character and I’ve never liked him from what we have seen. Anyone know what his background is? Wouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s gotten rich from brown envelopes during his career.
     
    CutThroatFade, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
    CutThroatFade, Dec 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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  4. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You would think two British fighters in a WBC final eliminator is exactly what the BBBoC would be in favour of.

    Robert Smith must have some behind the scenes "knowledge" in his hands. That would explain it
     
    Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
    Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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  5. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    No comment :roto2cafe:
     
    Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
    Finkel, Dec 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
    #5
  6. ash234

    ash234 Ash Full Member

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    Just don’t ask Robert Smith how much he got paid to allow Conor Benn to wear gloves that were specifically stated as not allowed in the contract for the first Eubank fight.

    Or why he personally walked Billy Joe Saunders to Eubank’s dressing room despite a) Saunders not being a licensed cornerman or member of Benn’s team and b) knowing Benn already had a member of his team overlooking Eubank getting his hands wrapped.

    Snake of a bloke.
     
    ash234, Dec 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
    ash234, Dec 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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  7. pow

    pow Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Good on him for putting Smith back in his place. Smith has been in charge for 17 years now and made zero progress on anything. He is there because it suits the big promoters. Anyone who criticises him is threatened with legal action straight away. He is a cancer on the sport.

    Nick Blackwell claims he never received a penny from the BBBoC.

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    Last edited: Dec 3, 2025 at 10:54 PM
    pow, Dec 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
    pow, Dec 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
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  8. PrimoGT

    PrimoGT Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He was a boxer https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/22047
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    His father was Andy Smith, who trained and managed Joe Bugner in the 1960s/70s.
     
    PrimoGT, Dec 4, 2025 at 2:37 AM
    PrimoGT, Dec 4, 2025 at 2:37 AM
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  9. PrimoGT

    PrimoGT Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I don't understand why the WBC need a 'mandatory' when Kabayel is already the mandatory. What the hell is an 'interim' if it's not a mandatory?
     
    PrimoGT, Dec 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
    PrimoGT, Dec 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
    #9
  10. PrimoGT

    PrimoGT Well-Known Member Full Member

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    The BBBoC under Robert Smith does seem to be more openly "lax" shall we say, than in the old days.
     
    PrimoGT, Dec 4, 2025 at 2:41 AM
    PrimoGT, Dec 4, 2025 at 2:41 AM
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  11. ZiggerZagger

    ZiggerZagger Active Member Full Member

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    Smith never said he doesn't want it to happen.
     
    ZiggerZagger, Dec 4, 2025 at 6:01 AM
    ZiggerZagger, Dec 4, 2025 at 6:01 AM
    #11
  12. Murderers' Row

    Murderers' Row Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Blackwell playing the victim as per..
     
    Murderers' Row, Dec 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM
    Murderers' Row, Dec 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM
    #12
  13. Makingweight

    Makingweight Well-Known Member Full Member

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    BBBOC seems also like PMGOL football, back the A STAR refs :nonono whatever cards and crap stoppages they come up with.

    It's an organization that seems less brown envelopes but jobs for the boys and inner circle, Masonic lodge types with everyone looked after as long as we scratch each others back's and don't rock the boat.

    Outdated, non transparent and not fit for purpose.
     
    Makingweight, Dec 5, 2025 at 6:47 AM
    Makingweight, Dec 5, 2025 at 6:47 AM
    #13
  14. grantsorenson

    grantsorenson Member Full Member

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    He's clearly got brain damage. Cut him some slack. It was his own fault for sparring full contact and going against doctors advice after he had brain surgery but sometimes boxers are just like that.
     
    grantsorenson, Dec 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
    grantsorenson, Dec 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
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  15. ash234

    ash234 Ash Full Member

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    Another day, another hideous WBC decision.

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    ash234, Dec 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
    ash234, Dec 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
    #15
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