World title challenger George Kambosos is yet to agree to move his lightweight title fight with Teofimo Lopez to October 17 (AEST) at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, potentially jeopardising Triller’s rights to the world title fight.
Kambosos is said to be resistant to moving the original date of October 5 (AEST) after Triller decided to shift the bout in a bid to avoid competition with other sports in the US staged on the same night.
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Triller needed both fighters to sign off on the date change since the contracts were already filed with the IBF.
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Lopez signed the contract to move the fight to his home city according to ESPN, but Kambosos is yet to agree to the schedule change.
The Australian is demanding another $414,000 on top of the $3 million he’s due and better conditions for his signature. Triller CEO Ryan Kavanagh said the company is already paying him “close to 10 times more” than what he’s earned in the past.
“The same contract that Teofimo signed is sitting in front of Kambosos to sign to fight on the 16th,” Kavanaugh told ESPN. “Our condolences to him on the passing of his grandfather – we understand this is a tough week for him as the funeral is tomorrow.
“Clearly given his family situation, it’s a better date for him … Triller is not going to pay anything extra or make extra accommodations, as it didn’t for Teofimo. … Triller is already paying him close to 10 times what he’s made in the past. If he were for some reason to not do this deal with us, he would make significantly less. We are confident this fight is occurring and he’s going to sign the contract soon.”
Kambosos has leverage, because if he doesn’t sign he could then force the IBF to find Triller in default, and the rights to the bout would be given to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport.
The fight has already been moved from at least four announced dates, most recently changing from October 5 to October 4 (US) for fear of going head-to-head with Monday Night Football.
Triller has forfeited $100,000 (USD) deposit with Madision Square Garden, informing the venue they were pulling the fight.
“Please be advised that the Triller Fight Club Undisputed Lightweight Championship: Lopez vs. Kambosos event scheduled to take place at Hulu Theater at MSG on Monday, October 4, 2021 has been cancelled,” the MSG website currently reads.
If Triller defaults and Matchroom takes up the rights to the fight, both fighters would cop a pay cut since Hearn put up over $3 million (USD) in losing to Triller’s bid of over $6 million (USD).
Lopez and Kambosos could take legal action against Triller to recoup that money.
“We expect no additional postponements and the fight to take place on October 4, 2021 as per the contracts,” Linda Torres, lead counsel for the IBF said in a statement to Boxing Scene.
“Mr. Kambosos has clearly expressed that he is unwilling to fly around the world until Triller has complied with its obligations to provide a plan to get him home in a reasonable time and manner.”
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