Briggs appealing WA Professional Combat Sports Commission 75K Fine

Paul Briggs unprepared for 'sham' fight with WA's Danny Green

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CONTROVERSY: Briggs was counted out just 16 seconds into the first round against Danny Green. Source: PerthNow

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DISGRACED boxer Paul Briggs claims the date for his controversial fight against Danny Green, which was labelled a 'sham' after he was knocked out in the first round, had been brought forward twice giving him less time to prepare.

The former light heavy weight contender also claimed the Perth boxer’s manager told him to cancel a warm-up fight he had organised ahead of the IBO World Cruiserweight bout or lose his chance to step into the ring with Green.

Mr Briggs made the claims during his evidence at a State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) hearing today.

Briggs, who retired from professional boxing in 2007 due to health concerns, was banned from competing in WA and fined $75,000 by the WA Professional Combat Sports Commission (WA PCSC) following the controversial match at Challenge Stadium in July last year.

The 36-year-old was knocked out just 16 seconds into the first round after Green landed a left jab to his forehead and was counted out. He was paid $200,000 for his appearance however the WA PCSC withheld $75,000 as payment for the fine.


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Related Coverage

• Danny to defend title against 'Rocky' fighter The Australian, 6 Apr 2011
• Vitali smashes Briggs The Daily Telegraph, 17 Oct 2010
• Gallery: See pictures of the fight farce Perth Now, 22 Jul 2010
• Danny Green v Paul Briggs Adelaide Now, 22 Jul 2010
• Green turns red over heavy Briggs The Australian, 20 Jul 2010

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Briggs is appealing the WA PCSC decision and has taken his case to the tribunal in a bid to clear his name.

The fight was originally scheduled to be held in New South Wales but the state’s sporting body refused the fight because of concerns over Briggs's health and his 3 1/2-year absence from the ring.

During the hearing today, Briggs claimed Danny Green’s management had approached him about the fight a few months after the pair had met at another match the previous year.

He told the tribunal Green’s manager ****** Manolikos called him when he was visiting Dream World with his children saying he wanted to give him an “opportunity to get a good pay day”.

He explained he rejected the initial offer saying Green had turned him down three previous times when he was at his “peak”. But a few months later he reconsidered after he was contacted by Mr Manolikos again.

“I said to him (Manolikos) that if I was going to do this I wanted to do this properly and said they had to give me time,” he said.

Briggs then claimed Green’s team came back to him with a fight date three months later.

He told the tribunal that he had wanted a year to prepare for the match but took the job anyway. He said he organised two warm up fights ahead of the Green date but when he told Mr Manolikos, he was advised to cancel them.

“****** rang me fairly sternly and quite abruptly and said if you take that fight, the fight (with Green) was off,” he told the tribunal.

A date was set for August, however Briggs claimed it was brought forward twice giving him only six weeks to train.

“Never in my 22 years experience have I ever heard of a (fight) date being brought forward,” he said.

He also claimed that he was forced to sign a contract requiring him to drop to 81kgs, well below the 90kgs limit for the Cruiserweight division, one week before the fight.

Earlier, the hearing was told Briggs had been given the all-clear by his own GP in Sydney as well as another physician, recommended by Green’s management.

He was also cleared to fight by the medical professional, Dr Martin Rivers the day before the match, despite suffering from tunnel vision caused by dehydration from spending time in the sauna.

He added: "I have said this before, (boxing) is not a sport, it's a business. I am saying every single move he (Green) made was a business decision. I am not angry with him for it. He got everything he was working towards. I now have information that I can never fight again."

The hearing continue


http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wes...-was-danny-green/story-e6frg13u-1226210650227

 

Knowingly taking part in a sham contest. I think Paul should be happy with 125K but if what he said about Manikolos is true I hope he wins and gets awarded costs as well.

 

for not declaring the full extent of his condition.
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2010/s3056734.htm
As Paul said how can he con the doctors who examined him? He took a dive lets face it. Its a bit cheeky of him to expect to get the 75K back but I kind of hope he does.

 

I know and agree but 125K is more than enough. If Green didn't come out waving the DVD around the next day saying he hit him on the soft part of the skull he wouldn't have got nothing. He should let it go IMO and be happy with the 125K IMO.