05-20-2016, 03:00 PM
Injured Robert Berridge withdraws from Joseph Parker promotion - but not without swinging a left hook at Duco Events
Robert Berridge has questioned the terms of his fight contract, despite Duco Events assurances they were agreed to by his own management.
A neck injury has forced Robert Berridge to pull out of the undercard on Joseph Parker's big fight night – but the controversial light heavyweight has hit out at his old bosses, Duco Events.
Berridge's place in the light-heavyweight clash with Fiji-based Ghana fighter Joseph Kwadjo has been taken by fellow Aucklander Nick Charalampous for Saturday night's high-profile promotion in south Auckland.
Berridge, known as "The Butcher", posted his disappointment at withdrawing from the fight on his Facebook page but also had a crack at Duco over his fight contract.
"Obviously I'm extremely gutted that I can not fight as I've been training hard and love getting in the ring. This fight however has been hard to come about as Duco were refusing to pay us making myself and the team having to fork out the cash for the opponent's purse, flights and accommodation," Berridge said.
READ MORE:
* Go 12 rounds with Joseph Parker
* Takam: 'It's my time - not Parker's'
* World champ Fury backs Parker to win
* Parker: home or away?
"With this I was also not getting paid and with a new family this was hard to take on. I feel like I did well in my years with Duco and to be treated like this was disappointing, and then to find out on Tuesday that funds have been 'found' to put the fight on with a new opponent for Joseph. However the team and I will not give up and will keep the fights coming."
Berridge had a long-term contract with Duco. But they had an acrimonious split after the boxer's poor behaviour while attending the 2014 Fight For Life promotion in 2014.
The rugged southpaw's promising career, which included world ratings, has stalled, losing three of his last six fights.
Getting a slot on a promotion of this size, especially being fronted by Duco Events, appeared a shot in the arm for the 31-year-old.
Duco boss Dean Lonergan made no apologies for the lack of fees for Berridge, saying that was an arrangement agreed to with the fighter's management headed by Vasco Kovacevic who had asked for his fighter to be included.
"We had seven fights at the time and we didn't need another one. I said to Vasco, here's the deal: If you can get sponsors on board, if you can pay Rob, pay the opponent and have all costs covered, you can be on the card.
"I provided a platform. I didn't need him. So I find it unbelievable that Rob would say one disparaging word when I'm giving him a break and his manager is begging to get on the card."
Robert Berridge has questioned the terms of his fight contract, despite Duco Events assurances they were agreed to by his own management.
A neck injury has forced Robert Berridge to pull out of the undercard on Joseph Parker's big fight night – but the controversial light heavyweight has hit out at his old bosses, Duco Events.
Berridge's place in the light-heavyweight clash with Fiji-based Ghana fighter Joseph Kwadjo has been taken by fellow Aucklander Nick Charalampous for Saturday night's high-profile promotion in south Auckland.
Berridge, known as "The Butcher", posted his disappointment at withdrawing from the fight on his Facebook page but also had a crack at Duco over his fight contract.
"Obviously I'm extremely gutted that I can not fight as I've been training hard and love getting in the ring. This fight however has been hard to come about as Duco were refusing to pay us making myself and the team having to fork out the cash for the opponent's purse, flights and accommodation," Berridge said.
READ MORE:
* Go 12 rounds with Joseph Parker
* Takam: 'It's my time - not Parker's'
* World champ Fury backs Parker to win
* Parker: home or away?
"With this I was also not getting paid and with a new family this was hard to take on. I feel like I did well in my years with Duco and to be treated like this was disappointing, and then to find out on Tuesday that funds have been 'found' to put the fight on with a new opponent for Joseph. However the team and I will not give up and will keep the fights coming."
Berridge had a long-term contract with Duco. But they had an acrimonious split after the boxer's poor behaviour while attending the 2014 Fight For Life promotion in 2014.
The rugged southpaw's promising career, which included world ratings, has stalled, losing three of his last six fights.
Getting a slot on a promotion of this size, especially being fronted by Duco Events, appeared a shot in the arm for the 31-year-old.
Duco boss Dean Lonergan made no apologies for the lack of fees for Berridge, saying that was an arrangement agreed to with the fighter's management headed by Vasco Kovacevic who had asked for his fighter to be included.
"We had seven fights at the time and we didn't need another one. I said to Vasco, here's the deal: If you can get sponsors on board, if you can pay Rob, pay the opponent and have all costs covered, you can be on the card.
"I provided a platform. I didn't need him. So I find it unbelievable that Rob would say one disparaging word when I'm giving him a break and his manager is begging to get on the card."