The IBF light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev (12-0, 12 KOs) has accused that the Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) has tried to stop him from fighting against German boxer Enrico Kolling (23-3, 6 KOs).
According to the Russian, before his match against Kolling on Nov 12 at Fresno, Californis, his attorney told him that if he refused to put aside 30% of the estimated stock market to $ 250,000 to GYM, his promoter Yvon Michel would sue him in a California court to stop the fighting.
In contractual conflict with GYM, Beterbiev decided to comply with this requirement so that the fight takes place. He thus put 30% of his total stock in a trust account.
“Two days before the fight, my attorney told me that Yvon wanted to stop the fight and that he wanted 30% of my purse.” Beterbiev said to media.
“I had to comply with this requirement not to cancel the fight. Yvonne was ready to go to court in California to start proceedings in that direction.
“I was angry, but I tried so focus my attention on the fight, not to be distracted by this case. I trusted my attorney.” he added.
On the other hand, GYM president Yvon Michel denied the issue. He claimed that he was doing right thing based the contract before the fight.
“That was never our intention. This is a clause in our contract. If Beterbiev was fighting in the world championship and we was not getting the fight following an auction (bid purse),” Michel said.
“We had to receive 30% of this purse. There was never any question of cancelling the fight, on the contrary.
“We have asked that the money be put in trust account until a judgment in the litigation against us is made. They immediately agreed to our request and, in good faith, agreed to have the money put with Beterbiev’s attorney. It was the simplest situation for everyone and that was decided.” the Canadian promoter added.
Artur Beterbiev stops Enrico Koelling in twelfth, wins IBF title. (Source:www.boxingscene.com)
Nevertheless, Beterbiev no longer consider himself under GYM’s contract, while the promoter responded that the agreement was extended by two years following its conquest of the IBF title on 12 November.
However, Beterbiev’s attorney Karim Renno has stipulated that the contract extension to which Beterbiev insists to end is one year.
