Concerns were raised over Green's next challenger

http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/box...xt-challenger-20101103-17dyh.html?autostart=1

As the peak body for combat sports in WA declared the controversial Danny Green-Paul Briggs fight a sham contest, it also raised concerns about the world champion's next opponent.

Yesterday, the WA Professional Combat Sports Commission found Briggs and his trainer, Billy Hussein, had participated in a "sham contest" when the Queenslander fought Green for the IBO cruiserweight world title at Challenge Stadium in July.

Briggs was felled by a left jab that grazed his head and the farcical bout was finished after 29 seconds.

Boxing champ Danny Green may have been cleared over his farcical bout with Paul Briggs but concerns are now being raised over his next fight with American Billy Flores.
The Commission found Briggs had deceived doctors by not disclosing the "complete picture of his medical condition" in relation to his nervous system and his ability to mount a credible defence.

Briggs knew he "wasn't a worthy and genuine competitor" when he stepped into the ring, Commission chairman Simon Watters said.

The Commission also revealed that it had met with Green's next opponent, American BJ Flores, to discuss a few "concerns" with him, namely his weight.

Flores will clash with Green at Challenge Stadium on November 17 for the same belt.

"One of the concerns was whether or not he would be able to meet the weight which is not unusual in boxing," Watters said of Flores, who is normally about 7kg heavier than Green.

Despite being slightly overweight, Flores assured the commissioners that "he would meet the weight and we have no reason to doubt that", Watters said, before reiterating the fight would go ahead.

The 31-year-old is undefeated in his professional career, recording 24 wins (15 by knockout) and one draw from his 25 bouts.

He has not fought since August last year when he beat Epifanio Mendoza in the United States to retain his WBO NABO cruiserweight title.

Bookie applauds findings

One betting agency which vented its anger over the farcical fight in July was Centrebet, with its spokesman Neil Evans at the time describing the sport's credibility as being "back in the gutter".

Although he was glad to see Green cleared of any wrongdoing, the Green Machine's image would still be tarnished by this incident.

Evans also said the fight would now cast doubt on "exotic markets", such as betting on knock-out wins in specific rounds, but praised the authorities for taking action - which was "long overdue" for the sport.

"Obviously at the time we welcomed an inquiry into it all," he said. "We paid out and took it on the chin.

"I would say I'm very satisfied they've done something about it and at least taken some action.

"They have done something about it and shaken it up."

Evans said many were saying the fight was "red-hot" - meaning it was fixed - but said Green would still be affected by what transpired against Briggs.

"Green is tarred by the brush well and truly," he said. "A lot of exotic betting is still in grave doubt, particularly around Danny Green fights.

"He will himself be tarred by the brush of all this big time."

With the way the Briggs fight eventuated, there will always be a "cloud" hanging above future fights involving Green and a little-known opponent.

"You're always guilty by association," Evans said, adding doubts would also be cast over exotic markets involving other fighters.

"(Exotic markets) are quite popular because they represent value in a two-horse race," he said. "It's going to be a case-by-case fight-by-fight way we look at it now."

State Opposition calls for reports to be released

Labor spokesman for Sport and Recreation Ken Travers called for the release of all reports into the Green-Briggs fight.

Those included reports prepared for the Commission as well as the inquiry by Geoffrey Miller QC - which found the decision to grant the fight's permit was justified.

"All the details of the fight and the circumstances leading up to the fight should be made public so West Australians can see how this sham was ever allowed to happen," Mr Travers said.

"There are many questions still left unanswered with the limited disclosure provided yesterday.

"It will take a long time for WA to live down the shame of approving this fight when NSW refused to sanction it."