Deontay Wilder Sues Alexander Povetkin Over Scrapped Fight And $5,000,000 Purse Money

Deontay Wilder v. Alexander Povetkin was schedueld to take place on May 21, 2016, but was cancelled when Povetkin failed the standard drug test

Undefeated WBC heavyweight world champion, Deontay Wilder, 30, has sued rival and challenger, Alexander Povetkin, 36, for failing a drug test, which led to the cancellation of their much anticipated fight in Russia. Povetkin's promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy has also been sued in the legal action. Povetkin tested positive for the steroid meldonium, which was added to the banned list in January 2016. 

Meldonium's primary function is as a heart drug. However, it does give athletes an edge in competition, creating increased oxygen intake and recovery (but it is not without considerable risks to a person who is not a cardiac patient: "Tennis Star Maria Sharapova Given 2-Year Ban For Using Banned Steroid" and "42-Year-Old MMA Star Kimbo Slice Dies From Fatal Heart Attack In Florida").

Wilder's purse for the fight was to be $4,369,365, money Wilder lost, as he was the likely favorite to retain the WBC heavyweight belt. Wilder's record is (36-0). Povetkin's record is (31-1). Wilder has a valid case. He upheld his end of the contract. However, Povetkin's conduct via a failed drugs test constitutes breach of contract, as each fighter was legally obligated to show up for the fight drug free. 

As such, Wilder is entitled to financial compensation. Wilder spent time and money training for the fight ($100,000) and in this site's estimation would have won the bout (again the purse was $4,369,365). During said time, Wilder could have taken another lucrative fight as champion and made millions of dollars. Wilder was also deprived of the fight of a lifetime, to perform in Russia before a very large audience, which would have increased his fame in Europe and Britain. Therefore, it is a litigable offense, the case has merit and there are actual damages (financial losses) one can gain relief for under court rules. The case has been filed in New York.

Previously, Povetkin's promoter Ryabinskiy, sued Don King and his fighter, Guillermo Jones, over a failed drug test and won $2,000,000. Therefore, there is precedent for Wilder's lawsuit.

STORY SOURCE

Deontay Wilder, promoter file suit over canceled Alexander Povetkin match

 June 13, 2016 4:54 PM - Deontay Wilder, the WBC heavyweight contender, and promoter DiBella Entertainment have jointly filed a federal lawsuit against No. 1 contender Alexander Povetkin and his promoter, Andrey Ryabinskiy, as a result of the cancelation of their planned May 21 bout in Russia. 

Povetkin tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium on April 27. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman ruled on May 15 the fight could not proceed as a result of Povetkin's failure. The suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in New York, seeks a minimum of $5 million in actual damages plus additional damages to be proven at trial. Ryabinskiy's company, World of Boxing, earned the right to promote the bout via a purse bid in which its bid was $7.15 million. Out of that, Wilder's purse was to be $4,369,365... 

"Plaintiffs' concerns about ensuring proper testing for banned substances became amplified when, in or around late March 2016, DBE received information that made it concerned that Povetkin was undergoing some kind of doping (i.e., use of banned substances) regimen," the suit read. "In particular, DBE learned that Povetkin had traveled to Spain, which was highly suspicious considering that (i) it is common knowlege in the boxing industry that Povetkin does not like to train outside of Russia, and (ii) while Spain is not known to be a traditional place for boxers to train, it is notorious as an epicenter of doping. Based upon this information, DBE and Wilder began pressuring the WBC to immediately commence random doping testing for the Bout." 

Guillermo Jones, a Don King-promoted fighter, tested positive for a banned substance and couldn't compete against a WOB-promoted fighter. Ryabinskiy sued King for failing to produce Jones and won a $2 million judgment...

http://sports.yahoo.com

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Bermane Stiverne Wants Rematch With Deontay Wilder

 

Deontay Wilder

On Saturday, January 17, 2015, Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder claimed the WBC International heavyweight belt from then reigning champ, Bermane "B Ware" Stiverne. It was a real rumble from two tough boxers. After the bout, Stiverne was taken to the hospital suffering from "dehydration" and as a result, missed the post fight press conference, for which he has apologized. This week, Stiverne's promoter, the infamous Don King, made a plea for a rematch, which is not the best course of action.

King stated to the press, "We called this press conference because the Bermane we saw on Saturday night was not the Bermane we all know. Deontay Wilder did a very good job; this is not a press conference for excuses, it is for fact. The doctors at the hospital of the UMC said that he had a severe case of dehydration. His muscles were not working and they thought he had blood in his urine, so they took some tests and held him in the hospital until this morning [Monday]. 

Deontay Wilder on Saturday, January 17, 2015 

We want to applaud Deontay Wilder for doing his job, but the man before him was handicapped and unable to do his job, but that should not take anything away from his victory. Deontay performed and did a great job. It is unfortunate, but Bermane will have to do it another day. Knowing the champion we have in Deontay has so eloquently stated that he will take on anybody, I am certain without any equivocation he would grant a rematch with the real Bermane than the man who was handicapped in the ring, not taking away the victory he had and the way he shined."  

Wilder's camp has yet to respond to King's request on behalf of his client, Stiverne. Wilder is currently in negations with English promoter and Box Nation owner, Frank Warren, to fight British heavyweight champ, Tyson Fury. The Judiciary Report is not in favor of a rematch between Wilder and Stiverne, as the latter looked like he sustained neurological damage during the bout this past Saturday. It is not worth Stiverne's short-term or long-term health. 

Deontay Wilder (left) vs. Bermane Stiverne (right)

Wilder walked away from the fight against Stiverne with a broken finger, which occurred during the 5th round. Wilder's finger should heal properly, provided he does not begin punching with it too soon, creating worse damage (a temporary injury can turn permanent under the wrong circumstances). Boxers often have a hard time keeping still, as they want to be in optimal health, at great fitness levels and competing. However, the body needs time to heal and must be allowed this luxury to return to peak performance. 

Side Bar: Wilder will fight anybody. Last year he jokingly stated he doesn't care if they put his grandmother in the ring, he's still going to fight. He stated his attitude would be, "Grandma, let's make this money" (haha). 

STORY SOURCE

Bermane Stiverne: I could have died from severe dehydration suffered during Deontay Wilder fight 

20, January, 2015 - TWO nights after being hospitalised following his loss to unbeaten challenger Deontay Wilder at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne, his Hall of Fame promoter, Don King, and his trainer, Don House, hosted a press conference. Here’s what they had to say: 

PROMOTER DON KING 

“We called this press conference because the Bermane we saw on Saturday night was not the Bermane we all know. Deontay Wilder did a very good job; this is not a press conference for excuses, it is for fact. The doctors at the hospital of the UMC said that he had a severe case of dehydration. His muscles were not working and they thought he had blood in his urine, so they took some tests and held him in the hospital until this morning [Monday]. 

“We want to applaud Deontay Wilder for doing his job, but the man before him was handicapped and unable to do his job, but that should not take anything away from his victory. Deontay performed and did a great job. It is unfortunate, but Bermane will have to do it another day. Knowing the champion we have in Deontay has so eloquently stated that he will take on anybody, I am certain without any equivocation he would grant a rematch with the real Bermane than the man who was handicapped in the ring, not taking away the victory he had and the way he shined. 

“We praise Deontay and hope he can be champion long enough to where we can have a rematch of the ‘Return to Glory.’ “Just like our great military, when they get knocked down, they get back up again. Even with his severe dehydration Bermane still stood there for 12 rounds. 

“We want to thank Richard Sturm, President of MGM Grand entertainment and Stephen Espinoza with SHOWTIME Boxing for playing a major part in getting this program together. We applaud both our staff and the MGM staff for doing a commendable job for making this happen. The spirit for ‘Return to Glory’ was high. We had a great card with Amir Imam in the fight of the night, getting knocked down and getting back up. All of the fights were exceptional. It was a good night of boxing for the fans and that is what we are really about. 

“Don House so eloquently stated the health of Bermane is so important so when I found out he was in the hospital, I went to stay the day there with him because usually we just send them to the hospital to get checked out, but they decided to hold him. When they decided to hold him, I had to get over there and see my fighter. The staff was terrific and very gracious to me and very definitive about what could be wrong and investigating all aspects. They said he is healthy and should take off a month or so to get some rest and then get to work to prepare for his return to glory and recapture the heavyweight crown that is currently held by a great champion named Deontay Wilder.”

BERMANE STIVERNE

“I want to apologise for not making the post-fight press conference. Unfortunately I was not able to perform in the fight like I wanted to due to severe dehydration and muscle damage. I did not know it was that serious until they told me. I could have died from it. I am happy to just be myself, walk and talk again. Thank God for this, that’s really what matters to me to be healthy right now. 

“I did not know the severity of it Saturday night. I was able to give the people a good show, 12 rounds of boxing. If I had to do it again I would do it again. This is not the end for me. I will give it a couple weeks and then get back to work. I have a vision for this, but right now it’s just on pause. It’s just a matter of time before I will get back on my feet and walk again. When it comes to my health, I have been released from the hospital. They would not let me leave until I was sufficiently hydrated. I am grateful. Thank you to my promoter and trainer, everyone who has welcomed me.

“To my fans, I apologise for not being able to perform like Bermane usually does. I know that people who really know me, know how I fight. My last fight with Chris Arreola, I gave you a good show. It is unfortunate that I couldn’t do what I wanted to do with my fight with Deontay Wilder. I want to congratulate him, he fought a good fight. Hopefully somewhere in the future we will meet again.

“Thanks everyone for coming out to the press conference, I am back on my feet 100 per cent right now. I just need a couple of weeks or a month of rest to be back where I left off.”

HOW THE DRAMA UNFOLDED - DON HOUSE (Stiverne’s Trainer)

“Thank you guys for coming out. The most important thing is that Bermane is OK. That is my main concern. I noticed somewhere in the fight, probably around the third or fourth round, something wasn’t right. Even though he told me he was OK, we all know Bermane. I don’t mind losing a fight, but I knew something wasn’t right, so I was very concerned. Around the ninth or 10th round I was thinking to stop the fight because you don’t have to continue, but he wanted to keep fighting.

“You didn’t see Bermane, you saw maybe 10-15 percent of Bermane. I really believe and really felt this should have been a decent fight for Bermane, but would last four rounds or less because his power and speed. We never underestimated him. We trained as if he was fighting King Kong. I train every fighter like 

that, underestimate no one. But Saturday night, we had about 15 percent of Bermane.

“We are going to look back, see what we did wrong, how we can do things better, what we should have done. We will take a look at how the dehydration may have happened. We will take a look at the fight and some of the things we did in training and find out what we did wrong.” 

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net

How To Reap The Benefits Of Boxing While Avoiding The Pitfalls

For Aspiring Boxers And Those On Their Way Up

Muhammad Ali

They say history is a great teacher. Those who fail to learn from it are doomed to repeat it. There is a lot of truth in those two statements. I've always found that it's better to learn from other people's mistakes and spare yourself the trouble. That's what history is there for - to learn from it and grow into better people.

Partying And Promiscuity

Adrien Broner

Athletes who party and engage in promiscuity pay a price for it in their sporting performance. You cannot live the life of a wild, partying bachelor and succeed in sport. It will catch up with you when it’s time to go to work and you are not at your best. Great managers/coaches in various sports have placed curbs via curfews and fines on their athletes, because they know the human body will not perform at its best when an athlete is out partying, getting drunk and sleeping with various women. It saps your strength, erodes fitness and destroys focus and discipline.

With so many diseases floating around like herpes and HIV, which medical science has yet to release cures for (but good work is being done behind the scenes in this regard) you are playing with your life and health going around having sex with different women. Many people with STDs/STIs don't tell potential partners and end up infecting them (while some simply do not know they are infected and unknowingly pass it on to others).

Money Team boxer, Adrien Broner, had a threesome with two women and made a sextape of it that ended up on the internet. In another incident, there were pictures on a mainstream blog of Broner performing oral sex on a stripper in clear sight of everyone at a strip club (it's a wonder he didn't get scurvy or lockjaw or need a tetanus shot - I'm kidding).

Adrien Broner

Broner, who undoubtedly has a talent for boxing, has also been engaging in partying and excessive drinking and spending his time getting into situations that are bringing him heavy public criticism he is not happy with, such as wiping his butt with money, flushing stacks of $20 bills down the toilet and the aforementioned threesome sex tape, among other things.

All of the aforementioned conduct has been a massive distraction that has taken away from his boxing. His life has become a circus with no ringmaster. Then, he stepped into the ring and lost to Marcos Maidana, in a shock defeat that shook him up. He was no longer undefeated. Broner fled the arena and cried, which was sad.

Broner is a talented boxer and I’m not trying to pick on him, but the sideshow his life has become is too much of a distraction, which is not conducive to winning in the ring. He has to get his mind right and become more settled. Too much chaos in his atmosphere, which destroys focus and waters down ambition. It breeds complacency.

Mike Tyson

Other athletes such as Mike Tyson, who is one of the greatest boxers in history, have gone on record, speaking about the wild living that sent him off track, while men like Don King robbed him left, right and center. Tyson admitted he lost focus at times, due to all the distractions that come with fame and wealth and it cost him plenty.

Your Circle

Floyd Mayweather

Beware of who you let into your circle. Not everyone is your friend. Some women have latched on to boxers deeming them a meal ticket, who will buy them luxury cars, jewelry, designer clothes and expensive purses. They also love the limelight and bragging rights that come with dating a famous man. Avoid women like that. They will bleed you dry and leave if and when the money runs out. You will end up feeling used and made a fool of.

Other folks to watch for are conmen, who try to get on your team, promising you the moon and the stars, but don't deliver. Some people will say anything to get what they want. They will become what they think you need. They will say what they think you want to hear. There are even famous people who've latched on to boxers with negative motive, only to let them down.

Avoid organized crime figures who never have good intentions towards athletes. Their plans for you will be no good. They are dangerous, violent criminals, who will wreak havoc on your life and career, all in the name of self-interest and greed. Avoid them like the plague.

Get a reputable promoter, lawyer and financial manager. Cultivate a good corporate brand. Be a role model. When entering into business deals, read and understand your contracts. If you can’t understand your contracts and have no money for a lawyer, seek the assistance of a local pro bono lawyer/legal service. Know what you are signing. If you are not comfortable, don’t sign it. Then, once you find a good team that meets your needs, stick with them.

Financial Planning

It’s always wise to save some of your money for the future. Life can be full of surprises, so it’s good to have savings to fall back on. Don’t spend all your paychecks at once. Learn to put something aside in a reliable savings account or government insured certificate of deposit. Don’t always assume money will always be coming in.

Manny Pacquiao

Try to start a little business. Choose something sensible and don't put too much of your money into it. Don't jump into business with the all or nothing mentality regarding spending. Start small and try to build up the business in a sensible, sound financial manner. 

Lennox Lewis

I’m not a fan of people granting others power of attorney over their finances. I know sometimes certain situations warrant it, but I still don’t like it. I know a man who lost $150,000 by trusting someone in his circle, whom he granted power of attorney in a limited scope, yet the person wiped him out in tandem with another. All he can do now is sue, but the person already squandered his money on high living with nothing to show for it. There’s nothing to get back. Don’t let that happen to you.

Head Injuries

Muhammad Ali

Blows to the head impact the brain. Muhammad Ali, who is considered the greatest boxer of all time, famously wore out opponents by turning himself into a punching bag and I am of the belief it greatly contributed to him developing Parkinsons.

The brain is delicate. It is a part of the human body that does not easily withstand injury. I am of the belief head injuries sustained in combat, accidents and sports, as well as brain hemorrhages (aneurysm or stroke) greatly increases the risk of developing Parkinsons or Alzheimer’s. People with the aforementioned injuries are more prone to depression and regrettably suicide. It’s crucial that one recognizes the signs of depression early and seek medical treatment and therapy to ward off its effects.

Brain injury leads the body to release distress chemicals that triggers feelings of sadness, confusion, doubt and depression. Basically, it’s a distress signal. Your body telling you there’s a problem. Athletes in contact sports are more prone to depression. Head injuries some boxers sustain contribute to depression. This sometimes leads to drug use, such as cocaine, in failed attempts at feeling better. So, protect your head as best you can.

Steroids

Not only should you avoid narcotics such as cocaine and ecstasy, you should also shun steroids as well. You don’t want to win that way and performance enhancing drugs wreak havoc on the body. There are some who would supply you with steroids to get in good with you for financial reasons and to control you as well. You don’t need anyone holding that over your head or bringing that kind of stress into your life.

As much as some will tell you the steroids they offer are ahead of the proverbial game and no one will find out, don’t be too sure of it. It’s not worth your boxing career, not to mention distress to your family, friends, supporters, fans and yourself.

The same ones who will offer you performance enhancing drugs to give you an unfair advantage, swearing to you no one will find out or detect it during tests (due to detox, saunas ect..), are the same ones who will turn you in the minute you fail to give them what they want or do what they say. What happens when that same person asks you to throw a fight, damaging your career (betting). Stay away from steroids and those who would offer them to you. They have an ulterior motive. You don’t need to be anyone’s puppet or slave. Be your own independent person.

Work on your strength, stamina and skill. Let that be your winning ticket. And at the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world if you lose a fight. Ali and Tyson, two of the best boxers ever, lost fights. No one in their right mind would question Ali or Tyson's athletic ability or accomplishments in the sport.

Boxing is a chance for you to make something of your life. It's saved many from a life of crime. Properly parlayed into a professional career, it can successfully provide for you and your family, as well as give you great discipline and a sense of pride in what you have accomplished. Make it work for you. Don't allow outside forces to destroy you. 

Did Don King Orchestrate Mike Tyson's Demise Years Ago

It Sure Looks That Way

 

Don King and Mike Tyson

Many stories have swirled for years that boxing promoter Don King allegedly orchestrated Mike Tyson's demise in the 1980s and early 1990s, to pillage his multi-million dollar fortune. Tyson never received a proper accounting of his money. No matter who you are, you must take control of your finances, sign your own checks and avoid transferring power of attorney to others. You must stay on top of your finances and regularly review your contracts, accounts, checks and spending (bills, credit cards, debit cards, checks issued and received ect).

When Tyson was a teenager,from a broken home, with a mother who was a prostitute turning their abode into a brothel, it profoundly affected him. As a teen he was adopted by boxing trainer Cus D'Amato, who became a father figure to him. D'Amato was a good influence on Tyson, who taught him discipline and dedication. However, after D'Amato died, Tyson fell in with people like Don King, who severely exploited, manipulated and controlled him for their own ends.

Mike Tyson and Don King

At that point in time, Tyson no longer had proper financial guidance or honest friends willing to tell him the truth about those around him and what they were truly up to in his life and it cost him plenty. It was alleged, Tyson, much like rapper Tupac, was set up for rape and sent to prison.

In Tupac's case, club-goers witnessed as a woman voluntarily performed oral sex on him in the night club. Though I do not agree with such public displays, as sex is something that should occur behind closed doors, not in front of everyone, for a woman to publicly do that and then cry rape and sexual assault is fraud.

Mike Tyson and adoptive father Cus D'Amato

In Tyson's case, a beauty contestant, Desiree Washington, went to his hotel room after midnight, then stated he raped her. I was never convinced Tyson raped Washington, who had previously made this accusation regarding another male. Who goes to a man's hotel room after midnight if it's not for sex. No one is that naive.

The next morning she went to the beauty contest smiling, laughing and dancing like she was on cloud nine, all filmed on camera as apart of the pageant. Rape victims generally don't behave in that manner, as they are usually too distraught. Rape is a cruel thing, so is lying that you were.

 

Mike Tyson and Cus D'Amato

Tyson's also developed issues with substance abuse and alcoholism, as a way to tune out his problems, but it made them worse. Tyson is now a recovering addict. People struggling with substance abuse must take it one day at a time and remember every day one is sober is a victory.

Mike Tyson

Tyson's struggles illustrates what the wrong people and negative environments can bring about in one's life. It could bring about anyone's demise. Always try to surround yourself with good, positive people, who bring you up, not down. People who would be your friend or love even if you weren't famous and or didn't give them a dime. People who will kindly tell you the truth, even when you don't want to hear it. Those are real people.

Real isn't having a big, flashy entourage of people who won't pay their own way. Real is having friends or a love you can call whether things are good or bad with you and they will try to help you with their love, time and efforts, without asking for anything in return. You should also be that type of friend to others.