Promoters Potts, Forde in boxing war

A WAR between two top local boxing promoters is brewing. Yesterday Boxo Potts, an Arima-based international match-maker, said he was surprised at statements made by his associate, Cecil Forde concerning their involvement in staging last year’s Ibero regional championship in Curacao.

In a newspaper report yesterday Forde charged that Potts, a former jockey, had no part in the staging of the fight, won by Siparia schoolgirl Giselle Salandy. The Marabella based promoter further claimed that Potts does not hold the franchise for her defence of the crown, now overdue. Potts had insisted that together with Fitzroy Richards of Siparia — then Salandy’s trainer/manager —- and Forde, the trio had promoted the fight in Curacao last November. Yesterday Potts hit back at Forde for his statements insisting the Richford promoter had put him in an awkward position. “Cecil did not put up any money. The funds, totalling more than $130,000 came from Richards and myself to a lesser degree. But we had decided that we were going down the road collectively so I was shocked to hear Forde say I was not involved in the promotion,” said Potts. He said he spoke to Forde yesterday after reading the report. “He was apologetic and claimed to  be ‘set up’ by the reporter,” said Potts.

Potts said he is working to arrange an urgent meeting with Forde and Richards to come to a common understanding and clarify the situation concerning the franchise rights to the Salandy defence. “I want to remind Forde that a house divided will fall. We have to work together for the benefit of boxing and the fighters. It’s a matter of principle and we must not sell out our principles,” said Potts. It is understood that Forde will soon take over the managerial role of Salandy, who since dumping Richards several months ago has been handled by Curtis Joseph, described as Salandy’s foster father. Potts said he had been approached by Joseph to join the Salandy camp but he declined since he wanted clearly defined roles in the relationship. “Promoters make stars not managers and this is what Joseph fails to realise,” said Potts. Forde is also the vice-president of the Amateur Boxing Association.