Team McCloskey: Khan Fight is Dead! Offer Was a Joke!

Does anyone?

I'm not saying one side's in the wrong, but three times now we've heard the same story:

Maidana claims the offer was too low, Khan claims Maidana's greedy
Peterson claims the offer was too low, Khan claims Peterson's greedy
Now McCloskey claims the offer was too low, and Khan... wait for it... claims the Irishman's greedy!

Now, is it possible that three pretty much unconnected fighters (including two on Golden Boy's books) say the same thing, and they all just happen to be greedy?

I'm inclined to believe three versus one in this case - but I don't know the offer and I don't know what each fighter considers acceptable.

 

Mate, I too find it annoying that Khan's opponents of late have supposedly been wanting too much money. This could either mean that Team Khan really do try to milk their cash-cow status, or that his opponents seem to want to take advantage. Khan never had these problems when negotiating fights with Barrera, Kotelnik, Salita and Malignaggi. Which if you bar the latter, may suggest it's a Golden Boy related issue.

I don't know. I have very little clue on how business works behind closed doors, and what a Khan-like or Peterson-like fighter should be entitled to. If I had all the numbers before me, I'd then be able to accurately determine who's being greedy and who's not.

But until then, I think it's pointless throwing the blame at either guy.

 

Looks like theres last minute negotiations going on...**** knows if anything'll come of it, but I really hope the fight comes off!

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/roe-valley-sport/McCloskeyKhan-crunch-talks.6696871.jp

 

It's not that simple. None of us know what the offer was, but for the sake of this discussion let's assume it was a poor offer from team Khan.

Now if you're McCloskey you have to weigh up the different scenarios.

If McCloskey wins his marketablity gets a massive boost, he gets to fight bigger names and make a lot more money than he's making right now. In this case, it wouldn't matter if he was fighting for free, because the future would be so bright.

If McCloskey loses in a very close, controversial fight, then again, his marketablity would probably improve, he would draw attention and get bigger paydays than he's getting now.

If McCloskey loses clearly or gets outclassed, his marketability takes a big hit, people start using words like "exposed", he finds it harder to find opponents, and probably goes on to make less money than he's currently making. In this case, the purse would matter a lot.


Now McCloskey might say "Oh I'm confident of beating Khan", but all fighters say this. When has a fighter said any different? Deep down only McCloskey knows how confident he truly is. Even if he's fairly confident of beating Khan, he has to think of the worst case scenario, which is McCloskey getting badly outclassed. In that case, a really nice payday would be a good safety net for him, and if team Khan aren't offering it, then he has to decide whether it would all be worth it.

It's a business yo, and you have to understand McCloskey's point of view. If all fighters were as confident as they say they are then Haye/Klitschko and Pac/Floyd would've been made already, but even the elite figters argue over contracts. Sometimes they are just being greedy e.g like when millionaire fighters argue over whether they should get 1.2 million or 1.6 million, but in McCloskey's case, it's understandable. I dont think McCloskey "knows" he's not beating Khan, and he doesnt know that he IS beating Khan, but he does know that anything can happen, and he has to weigh up the risk.

 

Referring to the $550k Maidana got isn't relevant here as that was a 'mandated' WBA v WBA interim where the splits are set by alphaspagetti

 

If the fight isnt made imo it is McCloskey's fault i understand that people are saying he wants to make god money in the case of "what if".

In 1984 Billy Costello took on Bruce Curry for $25 000 whilst Curry the champion was getting paid over $175 000

Billys manager explained other fighters chasing Curry for a shot were talking about money i was just talking about the fight.

Billy went on to win the fight and his next 3 defences were guarantted by Don King at at least $125 000 $150 000 and $175 000

What happened to this sort of attitude to fighting without being funny McCloskey doesnt deserve this shot Khan could just not choose to fight him if he did McCloskey may be waiting years for a shot or possibly even never get one. What does he think he is entitled too? The honest answer is nothing so he and his manager should squeeze as much as they can out og Khan and Goldenboy and just take the fight

 

If McCloskey was offered 1/5 of the money Khan is getting...I'm pretty sure he would take the fight...the ridiculous clauses seem to be the sticking point...it seems that if he wins the fight he has no choice but to be promoted by goldenboy...sounds like a **** contract which is a ****in shame as I want to see the fight.

Who in your opinion, thats availabale, deserves the fight more than McCloskey?...and what have they done to earn it?

 

Did i mention that Billy Costello also had to sign with Don King to make this fight happen and the guaranteed money was from Don King who had the options on his next 3 defences. Its not unusual to ask for such options.

Imagine worst case scenario for Khan they give this guy an opportunity for a title a payday and he runs off with their title their money and Khans earning potential in tatters whilst McCloskey's would go through the roof its just good business sense.

From McCloskeys point of view he has to do what is best for him as a fighter and imo opinion that is to give himself a shot at the title and if he wins he is with Goldenboy but he can expect to be given good fights and he will be in the position of power monetarily. As a fighter that is the best option, it is his promotional and management team that are obviously going to be at odds with this situation.

Im not saying anybody is more or less worthy than McCloskey the point is Khan does have other options Prescott, Theophane Murray etc. If he wanted to he could just not defend his title at all. The emphasis is on McCloskey to make himself an attractive prospect for this fight ahead of other possibilities.

He has no god given right to be given this match and the facts are he will get a career high payday and a shot at becoming a world champion every boxers dream. If he is truely a boxer that wants to get to the top he would grasp this opportunity with both hands because its an insult to boxers that where never given this chance (Jamie Moore) who would have taken this fight at the drop of a hat for a shot at glory

 

Well if McCloskey doesn't agree that will give someone else a shot.
Some people value their health & have families to think of.
Also its a matter of principle. McCloskey is probably confident enough in his own ability to work his way up without Khan

 

wrimc
You are implying that a professional boxer should take a title shot no matter what the money is. Thankfully, fighters are not exploited the way they were 25 years ago and it is much easier to get a shot at a belt now too.

 

On the other hand, I remember Scott Gammar giving it the big "I am" when Audley Harrison tried to make a fight with him, with Gammar going for Danny Williams instead...all downhill since to retirement.

 

Not saying that he doesnt value his family and health etc what boxer doesnt. What im also saying is what fighter who has aspirations of being world class who is fairly seasoned ie not a Chisora Wlad situation would turn down such an opportunity. If he is worried he isnt going to win he needs to not waste everyones time trying to milk as much as he can he should put his hands up and say im not ready for Khan's level quite yet i would like x amount of fights before i step up to a Khan calibre of oponent

Scotty im not saying any fighter should just take a shot for free and i admit im probably being a bit premature in my argument as this may just be a ploy by McCloskeys team to try and get a better price for their man ... fair play thats expected. What im saying is as its a voluntary he has no right if he wants really good terms work your way up to mandatory.

If you are offered a shot as a voluntary you should probably accept you arent going to get ideal terms i have no problems with fighters negotiating hard to get more favourable terms. The potential reward will (if things go to plan) be better in the long term. If he has the attitude that this is his one shot if he messes it up he needs to milk as much money out of it as he can as a nice little nest egg is completely the wrong attitude whether it is by McCloskey or his team and if that is the case whoever has that attitude shouldnt be in the sport.

 

Floyd 70% Khan 30%

 

I hope Khan fights Peterson

 

So would you stick to this logic if McCoskey was being asked to fight for 20,000 right now? say 5%?