The guy is top 10 with The Ring, ESPN, Fightnews, Boxing Monthly, Boxing News, The Boxing Site, Boxrec. He is been interim champion for 18 months, and has beaten several world ranked opponents. Undefeated in 30 fights. Lee is not in the top 10 or even 15 with any independent ranking. He is the lowest available WBC contender and has no wins over world ranked opponents. His only fight against decent opposition he lost. HBO came out this year and said they wouldn't let there house fighters have easy rides and they would only make good competitive fights. So what is this?
I agree with you, rob. but i understand why it happens. anyway, boxing will always be about money. Martinez is too old to be fighting off tv so he'll always bow to the network's demands.
Saying that, once he realises the fight can generate a fair few quid, he'll ensure it's got the WBC stamp on it. It's not in their interests financially to just have one ''champion''. They will want to get as fighters as they can pouring money into their coffers :yep
LOL everyone hates Lee especially on the Brit forum. I feel sorry for Zbik. However he is paying the price for not travelling outside of Germany bar 1 or 2 fitghts in neigbouring Czech Republic, and Spain. Maybe if he fought in the States HBO would have been interested. Boxing is messed up though with regards to mandatories etc.
why should he fight in the states when he sells tickets in those places. Im not hating on Lee I know thats hard to beleive. i just don't like the way HBO do things. They say they want to make competative fights and push the lineal titles, but then won't sanction a Martinez agaisnt a top 10 fighter? Its like HBO have there own rankings where fighters are ranked on viewers and not ability or record. Had more people in the US heard off Freddy Hernadez, Luis Carlos Abregu because they were both involved in fight where the opponent got close to $1mil. Martinez should just move down to 154lbs.
Mayorga looks shot to ****. At least Lee is young and in his prime, limited as that may end up being. Zbik's a much more deserving opponent, but HBO are in the business of making TV not respecting boxing fans. It's a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless. I've only seen Zbik once.
Have edited it. How many times has Lee been on US TV, only once as main event and he got beat by a gatekeeper?
Andy Lee knocked out Falliga in 5 rounds and Zbik went the 12 round distance. HBO took one look at that and said HELL NAW!!!!
Thats a silly arguement. Whats about the 4-5 world ranked opponents Zbik has beat? and he stopped Varon in 4.