MSG dream ends for Scots boxer Willie Limond as Salita fight collapses This content is protected FURIOUS Willie Limond last night accused unbeaten New Yorker Dmitriy Salita of running scared after their Madison Square Garden showdown was officially declared dead. Last month Record Sport revealed the light-welterweight battle on the undercard of the Joe Calzaghe-Roy Jones Jnr undercard on November 8 was on the ropes because the Americans kept changing their demands. The end came when Salita's promoters, Square Ring Inc, demanded the rights to Limond's next three fights if he beat their man. And last night Limond said: "I am gutted they couldn't come to an agreement. It has been a rollercoaster ride - this must have happened 10 times since July. "I was the one taking all the risks. I was willing to take crap money to get the first fight but they wanted me to take the same cash for a three-fight deal. "I got more fighting for my EU title four years ago in Glasgow so it just doesn't make sense. "If they were so confident they were going to beat me, why did they want me to sign an options contract? "I wanted that fight 100 per cent. I don't know what stories they are going to come out with. Maybe they will try to blame us. I watched a documentary about Salita and he was rocked by non-punchers. I also saw him try to make the weight four years ago and he struggled so I would have been confident. "But they kept changing the agreement so I got a doing even before I had got in the ring." The late cancellation also angered Limond's promoters, Braveheart. Spokesman Grant Jeans said: "The fact they wanted options shows they were worried about the threat Willie posed." But Limond is determined not to be side-tracked when he puts his IBO intercontinental title on the line in Paisley on Saturday. Two more successful defences after that will see the 29-year-old Glaswegian installed as mandatory challenger to IBO lightweight champion Juan Diaz. Limond said: "If he doesn't fight me he has to relinquish the belt and I will then face someone high profile to defend the title. Things have stuttered but I have been training hard and I am ready for Saturday. "Whoever I fight, I have to do my best in front of the fans and go on to defend this title two more times. "It is not out with my capabilities to get a fight against Diaz. These are hard fights but I am getting to the level now where I need those contests. "One minute you are fighting in Madison Square Garden and then you are back on the Paisley show but you have to be professional and put the same effort in." Diaz is regarded as the third best lightweight on the planet behind Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. But having won new fans when he floored Amir Khan last July, Limond is ready for the step up. He said: "When I was learning my trade I sparred with Scott Harrison every day. "They were very tough spars. It was just a matter of me producing that on fight night and I did that. "Now I want the experience of fighting on the big shows against the big names. "If I got a fight against one of them I would just put it all on the line. You just have to go for it because you are not going to get the chance to do it again."
Very, very dissapointed for Willie!:-( Great attitude by him though, as expressed in this interview. He's a real professional. Positive despite this temporary set-back. Best of luck, Willie!!! Keep the dream alive! We believe in you!!
Travesty!! :-( I was really looking forward to cheering Limond on at MSG. Is this bum Salita fighting anyone now on Nov 8th?
Il tell you for free Willie may have upset Salita`s applecart. That kid has been protected for far too long. His a cutey but his not half as good as he seems and his promoters know this. To ask for options on Willie just "incase" there boy gets beaten is ****ing cheeky.
