Potts slams boxing critics

LEADING boxing matchmaker Boxu Potts is letting his accomplishments speak for him. Potts recently came under fire from trainer Hassan Mutalib over comments the former jockey  made in a recent media release. Potts countered: “Mutalib is an amateur going up against a pro. He is out of his league and he doesn’t have any locus-standi in what he’s talking about,” added Potts. “He’s misinformed by someone within the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA),” Potts countered. “They are stagnating the growth of amateur boxing in this country. There is gross mismanagement of financial affairs and they don’t want to sit and reason with me in the interest of the sport,” Potts said.

He stressed that sponsors and the corporate sector are reluctant to aid the sport due to a lack of financial accountability by the ABA. In a recent story, Mutalib asked Potts to show his concern for the sport by promoting at least six fights a year. Potts responded: “I’m ready to promote the fights but the ABA management must be able to complement promoters in their efforts to assist the sport.” Throwing a jab at Mutalib, who noted that Potts had knowingly taken unfit pugilists to compete abroad, the matchmaker stated: “That is totally frivolous, false and unfounded, with no evidence or proof. He’s trying to say things to create diversions among the hierarchy. When a boxer is taken out of out their country to fight, the governing body in (the destination) require testing for Hepatitis A, B and C, and also tests by an optomologist and a brain scan.”

Potts stressed: “No boxer is allowed to box in any country without these credentials.” “But I call on boxers to remain fit so when they’re called up to do their business and serve their country, they can perform with credit,” he said. Turning his attention on trainers and promoters, he said: “They don’t want to train hard but they want to reap the benefit of mega-bucks, in US or pound (sterling).  I’ve taken a decision not to travel abroad with an unfit boxer,” Potts revealed. “It is too embarrassing to sit in a corner and watch those mocking pretenders ill-prepare charges for the world stage.”

As far as Potts’ credentials are concerned he said: “I’m a matchmaker and I’m called upon to do a service throughout the world. My modus operandi is to call a manager or a trainer with an offer and it is up to that person to accept it,” he continued. “I don’t force anyone to take up a fight.” Potts noted that he holds two caps, one as a matchmaker and the other as a sponsor (having given the ABA over $5,000 each year from 2000-2004, a contribution which earned him honours by the association in 2001 and 2003. “I don’t want to wish to cast aspersions on (Mutalib’s) character,” said Potts, “but he must be reliably informed before shooting off his mouth.”