British boxing chief, Robert Smith, has confirmed to talkSPORT that Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron is a 10-round fight.
Both parties have been locked into a contractual dispute for several weeks after an ‘administrative error’ led to the British light-heavyweights receiving different contracts: Whittaker for a 10-round fight and Cameron for a 12-rounder.
Despite BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom insisting that they had agreed on an ‘expensive’ compensation package for Cameron to smooth over the deal, the issue is still yet to be resolved.
On Monday, Cameron took to social media to write: “Boxxer have my terms to accept to change the fight to 10 rounds, but they are refusing to send me a contract to vary the deal and are trying to suggest they can change the rounds without a contract.
“Going into fight week, not knowing how many rounds I’m fighting is a joke for me and for my opponent. As I post this it’s still a 12 round fight.”
When asked if the fight was a 10 or 12-round fight during an appearance on the talkBOXING podcast on Monday, General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), Smith said: “As far as I am concerned, all the paperwork we have received is for a 10-round contest.”
The fight is taking place under the jurisdiction of the BBBofC, therefore, the Board can intervene to help resolve the issue if it persists.
However, Smith anticipates it won’t come down to that.
“Whoever put the contract together has made a rickett; it’s as simple as that,” added Smith.
“And it is for them to sort it out. I had a discussion this morning on my way here in regard to our actions and what we would do.
“I don’t think we have to do anything at the present time unless it’s the last minute, because this is a contractual issue and therefore they should sort it out. I’m sure they will…
“I think the situation is that if we need to, then we will have to get involved.
“I don’t believe we need to. I don’t think it would look very good at all [if it came to that].
“It would be a case of looking at the contract and seeing what it is.
“At some point, someone has got to say, ‘Are you boxing, or not?’
“If they cancel the show because of this dispute, then there are a lot of people being affected.
“Sensible people will have to sit down at some point and discuss it, and whatever they do is down to them.”
On Tuesday, Frank Warren slammed BOXXER and Shalom for the contractual mistake during an appearance on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan.
“It is the most ridiculous situation,” said Warren. “Liam has signed for a 12 round fight.
“This has been going on since mid February all this nonsense that is going on. It is unprofessional.
“It is a lack of respect to Liam and it is also a lack of respect to Ben. He signed his side for a 10 round fight.
“Initially, when they started this they tried to cut out Queensberry out of the deal to deal directly with our fighter.
“They went directly to his manager. BOXXER claims they can amend contracts without Liam or Queenberry’s consent and they have even threatened legal action and repudiate the contract.
“We have a signed contract and the only way you can deviate from that 12 round contract is to agree terms with Liam.
“Me, I wouldn’t move because it suits Liam to have 12 rounds.”
This comes after Shalom joined talkSPORT’s flagship show last week to give his side of the story.
“In the first instance, there was an admin error in the office with the paperwork,” he said.
“I think it was a couple of days when it was noticed and and to be honest, as sensible partners, I thought it’d be all worked out quickly, and it seemed like it was getting worked out.
“They wanted extra money and compensation, and we agreed to that, and we felt like we moved on from that…
“I’ve spoken to George Warren, and George had agreed on the terms to get it done.
“They’re agreeing on something, and then looking to draw it out as long as possible.
“And that’s what’s happened now a couple of times. They want to play games. They want to mess around.”
