Boxing promotors miss the boat...
OPINION
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-January 21, 2010) The fight game.

Can there be any better way to provide the "American Dream" for a person of any ethnicity, race, creed or political background the opportunity to prosper?

The devastating earthquake and it's powers of destruction forced Andre Berto to cancel his first million dollar pay day against Shane Mosley that was scheduled for Saturday January 30, 2010.

The fight was to be an eliminator of sorts with the winner expected to get a shot at Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

There are suspicions that Berto was offered "back-out money" by Golden Boy Productions (Oscar de la hoya) to tend to his family in Haiti while allowing fight negotiations to begin for a Mayweather vs Shane Mosley bout.

Whatever the real reason for Andre Berto deciding to cancel the fight (I would prefer thinking Berto's loss of family and friends was the deciding factor) there was an opportunity for the promoters of professional boxing to form a united front and join together in a relief effort for the people of Haiti.

Lou DiBella, Oscar de la hoya, Bob Arum, Don King and all the other men who have profited from the world-wide attraction of professional boxing missed the boat. The time to show not only Andre Berto but the entire world that the entertainment industry (of which boxing is a part) feels compassion and sorrow over what has happened in one of the poorest countries in the universe, slipped away.

Instead, we hear of the "back-out pay" and (contributing to that conversation) immediately conversation turns to Mayweather vs Mosley without batting an eye. 

If there has been some sort of back-room negotiations between boxing promoters that I am unaware of, then I apologize. That apology is currently on hold until further notice.

What is apparent to most fans (fight fans) is the seemingly selfish and uncaring feelings of especially Oscar de la hoya and Golden Boy Productions regarding the cancellation of the Berto vs Mosley fight.

Allegations of money exchanging hands in return for a profiting outcome in any professional fight has never been dismissed as impossible and pretty much considered probable.

Regardless of whatever de la hoya and Berto did behind closed doors, there remains the duty of professional boxing promoters to show their support for not only Haiti but the entire world when a catastrophe such as this devastating earthquake has struck.

There is no other way to frame it. No excuse can make it better. Should they try and form some alliance immediately, I will eat my words. But I anticipate neither eating my words or apologizing for my mis-characterization of boxing promoters as a whole.

Greed and hypocrisy are words describing Golden Boy Productions, Top Rank, Don King Promotions and the rest of the boxing hierarchy more than adequately.

The boxing public clamors for great fights.

What greater fight than the one the people of Haiti currently face? 

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                                                             IN OTHER NEWS

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The undercard for the April 17, 2010 Bernard Hopkins vs Roy Jones, Jr. is shaping up and will definitely make the main-event even more of a yawner. 

The addition of 38 years old John Ruiz vs David Haye in Hayes' first WBA heavyweight title defense, easily makes the sponsorship of Geritol, Jello, denture adhesives, and stool-softeners viable endorsements.

Without a doubt, George Foreman has to be hawking his latest food processor or at least be ring side to give these fights any validity . After all, it was Big George who initiated the "over-the-hill-gang" charge. 

This night would be the perfect opportunity for George Foreman to be used as a guest referee.

I would not let THAT opportunity get away.

The first bout featuring Golden Boy Productions latest acquisition, Englands' Amir Khan who just recently dumped English promoter Frank Warren, will also grace the Hopkins vs Jones, Jr. undercard.

In what will probably be the most entertaining fight of that night, Khan will battle 26 years old Argentinian Marco Rene Maidana who is a mandatory opponent if Khan is to keep the WBA light-welterweight crown.

Maidana is rough and could make the fight interesting should he be able to land that one solid punch, but look for Khan to show his boxing skills and stay on his bicycle for whatever time this potentially "over real quick" bout lasts.

Of special interest to some of you will be that Marcos Rene Maidana is co-promoted by Golden Boy Productions along with Universum. Hummmm...

Just which one of these fighters can we label the "sacrificial lamb"...is it John Ruiz, Amir Khan or Marcos Rene Maidana?

Whatever happens, if you are suckered into this Pay-Per-View event just remember to have your No-Doze, plenty of coffee and blankets with pillows close at hand.