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Fight Academy’s Dennis Hobson has welcomed rival promoter Frank Warren’s latest public communication regarding the much talked about Clinton Woods v Joe Calzaghe IBF light heavyweight title fight.
At Hobson’s request, Warren is now offering the Fight Academy promoter odds of 7-4 for the well-publicized six figure side bet the two promoters will have if and when they reach a deal to make the Battle of Britain this summer.
Hobson said Tuesday: “The 7-4 odds Frank’s now offering are very interesting and I’m sure we could do something with that. In jest, Frank mentioned the RSPCC in a press release two weeks ago, but I think giving a large part of the wager to a kid’s charity would be a nice touch, especially as Frank is behaving like a kid in a schoolyard by resorting to calling me names.
“If we have a face-to-face meeting we’ll talk about the bet, no problem, once we’ve got the serious business out of the way and the fight is on. But Frank seems much more interested in having a flutter with me than his top fighter getting a chance to achieve his career-long ambition of winning a world title at a second weight and getting a career-best purse.
“If Frank is genuinely interested in making this event happen, it is high time for a face-to-face meeting. Despite the press release festivities, I don’t think we’re a million miles apart and I am confident we can work something out for the summer.
“But if it is having a flutter which is really getting Frank excited, we can stop wasting each other’s time right now. If all he wants to do is talk bets, I’ll happily treat Frank to a night down at the dog track here in Sheffield. I’ll even buy him a packet of Salt “n’ Vinegar and a real ale.”
In his latest press statement, the Sports Network boss sounded more like Frank Skinner than Frank Warren, saying: “”It’s a shame (Hobson’s) head doesn’t zip up at the front, because then he might engage his brain before opening his mouth and making offers that make him look foolish and will land him in serious financial trouble.”
Hobson, who had talks Monday with HBO’s Kery Davis and confirmed the American cable guru was “very interested’ screening the fight live, responded: “I’m deeply touched by philanthropist Frank’s heartfelt concerns about me avoiding any financial trouble. But all I can say is that over the weekend in America Don King took me to a nice restaurant – he didn’t take me to the cleaners.
“As for engaging your brain before opening your mouth, that’s sage council from a man who just nine months ago was calling Danny Williams – one of his own fighters and a guy who’d won a British Title for Frank with a broken arm – a disgusting bottle job who he’d never promote again.”
Hobson added: “Finally, Frank keeps asking what I will be paying Clinton if I can give Calzaghe over a million. Well, Frank shouldn’t worry about what I’m paying my fighters, rather he should worry about the fact I pay fighters like Ricky Hatton three times more than he ever did.”
