Bowe's Salt Lake bout could be in jeopardy

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 19, 2005 | by Aaron Cole Deseret Morning News

Riddick Bowe's fight in Utah has nearly been dealt a knockout blow.

Bowe, former heavyweight champ and Olympic medalist, was originally scheduled for 10 rounds at the Delta Center on Friday, March 25, but that date appears less likely the closer we get.

Friday's initial deadline for the fighter's contracts came and went with nothing appearing on Richard Weinsoft's desk. Weinsoft is the current head of Utah's boxing commission and would have to approve all fighters on the card before sanctioning the bout.

Details on whether or not the deadline has been extended were unavailable as Weinsoft is remaining tight-lipped.

Contrary to earlier reports, Bowe's camp has been preparing for the fight in Utah since the card was originally announced and has no intentions of backing out should negotiations succeed.

"We're training as if the fight is on, Bowe manager Jimmy Adams said. "(Riddick) isn't scared of anyone and we'd like to come fight in Salt Lake City, if everything works out."

The bout hit troubled waters quickly after Bowe signed with promoter Dan Goossen and his Goossen Tudor Promotions.

Goossen made waves after he scheduled Bowe for an April 7 appearance in Temecula, Calif., fighting Odgen's Billy "The Kid" Zumbrun on Fox's "The Best Damn Sports Show Period." Zumbrun, reportedly also fighting on the Delta Center card, quickly withdrew to prepare.

Edward Mendy, spokesman with Lion Heart Promotions, has threatened legal action against Bowe and his promoters if Bowe withdraws from his card at the Delta Center.

According to Bowe's camp however, Mendy doesn't have much to stand on.

"The original agreement we had isn't what we're looking at now. We're not legally bound to anything right now." Adams said.

Several things have changed with the original card that was introduced two weeks ago, and now it seems that whether or not Bowe shows is a side note.

Rob Calloway, another heavyweight slated to appear March 25, has withdrawn from the card, reportedly because of issues with the contract.

The Deseret Morning News has also learned that Salt Lake City's own Gary Gomez will likely not appear for the same reasons.

"What we were told and what the contract says were completely different,"

Gomez's manager Gary Madrid said. "They want to pay Gary (Gomez) like a club fighter, so we decided to pull out."

Mendy remains confident that the fight will continue and says that changes in lineups are a common occurance.

"This happens and our deadline has been extended so we'll continue to negotiate with Bowe's people."

Weinsoft has said that an official announcement regarding the fight will come from the state Monday at 3 p.m.

E-mail: acole@desnews.com