Kris George’s lucrative Commonwealth title defence cancelled

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THE maiden defence of Kris George’s Commonwealth welterweight title has been cancelled.

George, 27, was slated to defend his prestigious crown against the England-based Nigerian Larry Ekundayo (12-0, 3 KOs), who is George’s mandatory challenger.

Frank Warren, who is one of England’s most established and long-serving promoters, won the purse bid to host the mandatory title defence between champion George (12-1, 6 KOs) and mandatory challenger Larry Ekundayo.

However, last week George’s manager Brendon Smith received the shock news that the fight was cancelled and Ekundayo will instead face Gary Corcoran (16-1, 7 KOs) for the WBO Intercontinental welterweight bauble at the Copper Box Arena in London.

“To say we’re disappointed is an understatement,” said Brendon Smith in a press release issued by TGW Smithy’s Promotions.

“We are pursuing legal action so I can’t say too much, however we are extremely disappointed with what’s happened. Kris has a signed contract to face Larry Ekundayo and there is no reason he shouldn’t be, what has occurred is simply unjust.”

“We are strongly pursuing our options and I can’t understand how the Commonwealth Boxing Council and British Board of Control can allow this to happen. We’re very, very disappointed.”

The sudden cancellation is a costly one for George, whose team have received a plethora of offers to defend his title, both abroad and interstate.

“I’ve honoured my commitment to the Commonwealth Boxing Council, the British Board of Control – and the promoter who won the purse bid – I deserve to be shown the same honour,” George said. “I’ve been contracted to defend my Commonwealth title on July 8 and should be in one corner in London next month – but the reality is – I won’t be.”

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“That’s the disappointing part I’ve done everything I’m supposed to. I’ve taken time out of my business to train, I’ve sacrificed time with my family, my training team has sacrificed to help get me ready, my manager has sacrificed to make this opportunity happen and for it to be taken away the way it has is very disappointing.”

“It’s really left me in limbo. I really hope there can be an outcome here because I don’t want to see this happen to any other fighter. I’m a fighter, this is my job and this cancellation has a significant impact on my career, it’s not right.”

“It was going to be a tough fight to win I knew that but to essentially be knocked out before I even get on the plane is hard to swallow.”

Despite the setback, the Toowoomba-based George is remaining positive while his team work towards an eventual first title defence.

“I’m still the Commonwealth champion and take pride in the belt,” George added. “Moving forward we need to assess what the best option is for me. This has been a setback but I know I can overcome it, I just want to fight.”

Brendon Smith has an excellent track record with delivering high-profile opportunities for his fighters. With the Ekundayo fight now officially off the table, Smith has put a call out to any potential title challenger for his charge.

One notable option is reigning OPBF welterweight ruler Jack Brubaker, who has been long rumoured to challenge George, and was ironically scheduled to fight Cameron Hammond for the Commonwealth title before injury derailed his opportunity.

“The call is out there, who wants to fight Kris George, we are open to all offers,” concluded Smith. “Kris George is hot property at the moment.”

“Domestically Jack Brubaker is an option as is Jeff Horn, pending on the outcome of the Pacquiao fight and many others across both the Commonwealth and the world.”

“All options are back on the table. We’ll discuss and find the best path forward for Kris.”

Photo: TGW Smithy’s Promotions

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