Abraham, Miranda update!
September 22, 2006
http://www.fightnews.com/1267.htm
Just when you thought things couldn't get any hotter, the IBF middleweight title fight between champion Arthur Abraham and mandatory challenger has nearly reached the breaking point. On Friday, the handlers of Miranda accused Abraham's promoter Sauerland Event of tampering with the scale and forcing Miranda to lose extra weight. The charge was denied by Sauerland Event CEO Chris Meyer, who labled the Pantera camp as "amateurs." In any event, both fighters made weight and we can look forward to an explosive middleweight showdown between two undefeated KO artists in Wetzlar, Germany.
Official Miranda Camp Statement
As Edison Miranda prepares for tomorrow's IBF middleweight world title fight against Arthur Abraham, he finds himself in a defensive stance to erroneous comments that he has been late to yesterday's press conference and today's weigh-in. In fact, he was 20 minutes early to the press conference and 30 minutes early for today's weigh-in. In particular, it is the events surrounding the weigh-in that has disturbed Seminole Warriors Boxing and Team Pantera the most to this point. This afternoon, Miranda weighed in at 159.25 lbs. on a so-called calibrated scale, provided by Sauerland, just prior to making his way to the official weigh-in at the Mercure Hotel located in Wetzlar. When Team Pantera arrived at the weigh-in (30 minutes prior the scheduled 4PM) they inquired as to where the official scale was located and were advised that it was in the champion's room. "He wanted to weigh himself in private." Although this is extremely unusual Team Pantera trusted that the scale would not be tampered with. Much to their dismay, upon the scales arrival Miranda stepped up and weighed in at 160.25 lbs. "I am extremely surprised and disappointed at the inaccurate reporting of the events from the champion's camp," says Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. "This fight and these fighters deserve better than that." Miranda returned back at the scale within 20 minutes to weigh in at a chiseled 159.8 lbs.
Official Abraham Camp Statement
"Bullshit," says Sauerland Event CEO Chris Meyer upon reading the press release from the Miranda camp. "I have never seen such amateurs as the handlers of the Pantera. I hope that Edison will still perform good tomorrow, if he gets past the second weigh-in tomorrow morning. I feel sorry for my people working this event for the accusations made by Edsion's handlers, the 'towel twins.' Team Miranda arrived early and tested Miranda's weight on the scales that were provided by the commission. By the way, the offical and a neutral governmental institute-calibrated scale was made available for all fighters on the card since 1PM today. Arthur had checked his weight on his own scales. After Miranda had checked his weight, he and his managers rushed away and poor Edison went to the men's room. I am not sure what happened but when he was 'ready,' he was running late 20 minutes and he was still overweight. Luckily he was able to meet the 160 lbs after further extra time. We stage a large number of title fights per year but never have we met a managment team that was less professional. They insisted on booking their own hotel and took one 50 miles away instead of the one we had booked next door. On the day of the fight they have to drive that twice - for the second weigh-in and then for the fight. Leon Margules, my dear friend, is excused. He is now celebrating a religious holiday today and he is just Edison's promoter.
Sounds like a last bid effort to secure TV rights to Wacko.![]()
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