Team Sauerland will reconsider its plan to offer Evander Holyfield a rematch against WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev following Tommy Brooks´ outrageous remarks in the press. The coach of the 46-year-old boxing legend, who lost a close majority decision by the scores of 116-112, 115-114 and 114-114, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “I think it was just some home cooking for a promoter’s fighter. I think somebody was just greasing somebody’s palms.”

Wilfried Sauerland was shocked when he found out about the statements. “I can understand his disappointment,” the manager said. “After all, his fighter put on a an impressive performance for which he deserves our respect. However, I cannot comprehend his remarks at all. They are derisive, outrageous and absolutely untrue. I would not have expected such unsporting behaviour from him. We offered Holyfield a rematch straight away but now we will have to reconsider it.”

Sauerland managing director Chris Meyer admitted that the bout was difficult to score. “It was a very close fight. The judges agreed on just four rounds. Also, the fight looked much different on TV than it did from inside the arena. Most of the experts at ringside had Valuev winning. It is funny to see how the European and US media disagree about the outcome.”

A string of highly-respected boxing writers – just like WBA president Gilberto Mendoza – had Valuev ahead. Among them Phil Woolever of The Sweet Science (“For the record, I had it 115-113 Valuev”), Ron Lewis of The Times and Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph. All three of them were at ringside.

Here is what Ron Lewis wrote in his blog article titled ‘Valuev was a worthy winner’:

“Sometimes, I guess you think the world has just gone mad. After one very long night in Zurich, I returned home this morning to discover everyone up in arms that Evander Holyfield was supposedly robbed against Nikolay Valuev in their WBA heavyweight title bout on Saturday night. That was certainly not the case.

“Yes the crowd booed, but they booed Valuev before the start. They booed him after he beat Ruiz in August and that was one-sided. Ringside – where I watched the fight from – opinion was split about who had won. Everyone sitting near me had Valuev a clear winner and I had him ahead by five rounds. No one in Holyfield’s camp roared “robbery”. Sure, they said they thought they did enough to win, but that was it. Expect that to change by the time they get back from America, when they discover that the power of television has whipped up support in their favour.”

Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph holds a similar opinion. He wrote in his blog:

“Why was it that so many who saw the fight on television thought Holyfield had won ? Because you see a different on tv – plus commentary, plus crowd support – than what is in front of you. Live coverage enhances perception, not television. That’s why we go to these events.

“From ringside, there were varying degrees in opinion, and on the judges’ cards, it came down to the final round. From my position, I thought Valuev had won the fight. Yet to call it a fix, as some websites and commentators have done, is wrong.”

The judges´ scoring can be found here (scroll down): http://www.boxen.com/themen/aktuelles/topthema.php?pageid=918

THE BEST OF WBC IN 2008

The voting of the World Boxing Council Board of Governors was carried out, being the following designations the results of a majority vote:

* BOXER OF THE YEAR

Many Pacquiao, The Philippines. He conquered the World Boxing Council Superfeatherweight title by defeating Juan Manuel Marquez; he conquered the WBC Lightweight title by knocking out David Diaz and he spectacularly knocked out Oscar De La Hoya in the Welterweight division.

* HONORABLE MENTION BOXER OF THE YEAR

Edgar Sosa, Mexico. He successfully defended his WBC Lightflyweight world title four times, defeating top level opponents, official challenger, Juanito Rubillar included.

* COMEBACK OF THE DECADE

Vitali Klitschko, Ukraine. He came back as WBC Emeritus Champion in the Heavyweight division, after almost four years without fighting and he conquered the WBC Heavyweight world title once again, displaying a show of boxing and power excellence, knocking out former champion Samuel Peter.

* FIGHT OF THE YEAR

Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez. The third bout after two great battles was a dramatic war between two great champions; Israel Vazquez won the fight by decision after knocking down Marquez in the twelfth round.

* MOST DRAMATIC FIGHT OF THE YEAR

Carl Froch vs. Jean Pascal. The new British sensation, Carl Froch conquered the Supermiddleweight world championship by defeating Canadian warrior, Jean Pascal, in an intense and dramatic fight.

* KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR

Vic Darchinyan, knocked out solid champion, Cristian Mijares, displaying a show of power and fulfilling his dream of conquering the green and gold belt.

* GREATEST PROMOTION OF THE YEAR

Samuel Peter vs. Oleg Maskaev, in a great bout. For the first time ever, a Heavyweight world championship bout is held in Mexico, turning out to be a great success in paradisiacal Cancun, within the atmosphere of the Bull Ring, which was jam-packed, through the cameras of HBO, with a top-notch boxing promotion.

Emanuel Augustus Owes Oustanding Debts!!

Emanuel “The Drunken Master” Augustus recently had a great opportunity to restart his pro boxing career on November 8, 2008 at the world’s most famous arena Madison Square Garden. When he fought #4 ranked Jr. welterweight fighter Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa on the HBO televised under card of Roy Jones Jr. versus Joe Calzaghe.

In the aftermath following the loss to Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa some unprofessional behavior has taken place on the part of Emanuel Augustus. As of the writing of this press release Emanuel Augustus owes his worldwide boxing advisor Macke Roberts and other members of Team Augustus undisclosed amounts of money for the Frankie Figueroa fight.

Macke Roberts says “I have had several discussions with Emanuel Augustus concerning the money that he owes. Emanuel has made promises to pay myself and the other Team Augustus members for the Frankie Figueroa fight but he has continually not followed thru with his promises. The last time I spoke with Emanuel I gave him a deadline of December 19, 2008 to pay the money that is rightfully owed to me and Team Augustus, however these debts have not been paid. So much time, effort and planning went into restarting the boxing career of Emanuel Augustus. I think it’s a sad situation when a guy like Emanuel Augustus who has so much talent, is loved by the fans and the boxing media but will not pay the people who helped restart his boxing career. We believed in Emanuel Augustus as a fighter when nobody else did, all we ever wanted to do was help Emanuel Augustus get the right fights and the right opportunities to become a world champion. The pro boxing business is a crazy business, I am not here to throw anybody under the bus or create controversy. All I want is for myself and the other Team Augustus members to get paid the money that is owed by Emanuel Augustus.”

Macke Roberts says “I have a legally binding worldwide boxing advisor agreement with Emanuel Augustus. In my contract with Emanuel Augustus he cannot fight anywhere in the world unless the fight is negotiated & approved by me. So Emanuel if you are reading this press release do the right thing and pay the money you owe us.”

Macke Roberts says “I will be contacting the New York State Athletic Commission to have the pro boxing license of Emanuel Augustus suspended indefinitely until he pays the money that he owes us.