Magee vs Smith a non runner
9 June 2010 – By Cormac Campbell
Brian Magee looks set to make the first defence of his European super-middleweight title in Belfast in September but British champion Paul Smith will not be in the opposing corner.
Magees manager Pat Magee (no relation) told irish-boxing.com that an announcement will be made in the next seven days in relation to a voluntary defence of the crown Magee won by pummelling Mads Larsen in Denmark in January.
This follows a press release from Smiths promoter Frank Warren who said that Magee had withdrawn from purse bids for a fight against the Liverpudlian champion on July 17.
Magee’s manager Pat Magee informed the British Boxing Board of Control by email today (9 June) stating: “Brian Magee has decided not to challenge Paul Smith for the British Super-Middleweight. Accordingly the purse bids today for this contest should be cancelled”, the press release read.
This follows months of negotiations with Magee’s camp and Smith’s promoter Frank Warren offering the Belfastman the opportunity of fighting Smith on Saturday 17th July.
Promoter Frank Warren was quoted as saying, “We are trying to make the big fights the fans want to see, but it’s a big let-down when after months of negotiating leads to nothing it heads to purse bids and then they pull out on the day.”
This is a statement which Pat Magee has taken exception to.
July 17 was never confirmed, he told irish-boxing.com.
In fact the last offer we had from Frank Warren was last week when he asked if Brian would do a voluntary on July 3 in Preston against an opponent to be selected followed by a defence against Smith in September. Brian was prepared to fight Smith in July but it wasnt going to be Smith and that is the reason we didnt take it.
All we were interested in from Frank Warren was fighting Smith. We didnt want a long term deal because of Brians high standing with the World governing bodies which we didn’t want to compromise.
There will be an announcement in the next number of days in relation to Brians next fight a voluntary defence of his title in Belfast in September.
