Green vs Manny Siaca is done! - 14th April

Sounds like the WA state gov is keen enough to get the future Green v Mundine II bout that it's tipped in a bucket of money to ensure Green v Siaca is held in Perth (ie Challenge Stadium - as per last few posts here):


c/o - thewest.com.au

The State Government has back-flipped and will now pay $185,000 to host Danny Green's next fight in Perth, with Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron today claiming a "misunderstanding" caused WA to miss out on hosting the homegrown hero's last match which ended with a stunning victory against legend Roy Jones Jr in Sydney.

Speaking on 6PR radio this morning, Mr Waldron also said the Government would support Green's April 18 bout against Puerto Rico's Manny Siaca at Challenge Stadium despite opposition to the sport from health groups.

"Boxing is a sport, it's an Olympic sport…this is more than a boxing match, it's an event for Perth," Mr Waldron said.

Mr Waldron said he had personally been involved in informal and formal talks with the Green camp after his blockbuster fight with Jones Jr late last year.

The $185,000 would be used for venue provision, which could include staff on the night, security and promotion of the State as a tourist destination.

Mr Waldron said he would hold talks with the Police Minister and Police Commissioner regarding security at the event, which is likely to attract members of Perth's underworld, with a view to avoiding the delays seen at Green’s last match at Challenge Stadium.

Mr Waldron also said he hoped the fight against Siaca would set up a grudge match with arch-rival Anthony Mundine.

Premier Colin Barnett said boxing was a popular sport and Green had a huge following. "I recognise a lot of people were disappointed that Danny Green's last fight was in Sydney.

"Danny Green is a great WA sportsman and extremely popular. It will bring significant publicity to the State."

Green said he was "stoked" with the Government's support.

"I'm just rapt the State Government is supporting Green Machine Boxing in bringing the world title defence back to my home town Perth."

Green's manager Wayne Loxley said securing the fight for Perth was the perfect way to reward the boxer's WA-based fans – 3000 of whom travelled to watch his blockbuster with Jones.

"We have been very keen to have his fights here - he has got a huge supporter base in WA and a lot supporters travelled last time and many more missed out," Loxley said.

The State Government came in for criticism for not helping WA host the Jones fight after it was revealed the event brought in more than $5 million to the NSW economy for an outlay of just $250,000.

The premier said that while he supported Green's efforts in the ring, boxing would not get taxpayer funding.

The Government got on board this time after Mr Waldron met the Green camp last week.

After defeating Jones, Green and his team worked tigerishly to tie down a big-name opponent but the likes of American Bernard Hopkins rejected his approaches, while arch foe Anthony Mundine dismissed Green’s recent challenge for a rematch.

But while Siaca - a former victor over Mundine - isn't such a drawcard and has fought just twice in three-and-a-half years, Green's army of fans are expected to snap up the 6500 or so tickets when they go on sale on Friday through Ticketmaster.

Former WBA light-heavyweight champion Green's previous outing in WA was last April when he knocked out South African Anthony Van Niekerk inside two rounds at Challenge Stadium. The fight was his first following a 16-month retirement.

After defeating Van Niekerk, Green then went to Biloxi, Mississippi, where he won the IBO crusierweight belt with a fifth-round defeat of Argentina's Julio Cesar Dominguez, before his victory over Jones at Sydney's Acer Arena.