Calazghe wins court battle against Warren
Joe Calzaghe can now enjoy retirement
Also In The News
|
Under-pressure England produced a magnificent first-half display to defeat France 34-10 at Twickenham. |  |
Monday, 16, Mar 2009 09:07
Promoter Frank Warren will have to pay £2 million to Joe Calzaghe in unpaid fees, a high court judge has ruled.
Former super-middleweight world champion Calzaghe claimed his ex-promoter Warren owed him the money in relation to his win over Bernard Hopkins last year.
While Warren countered that Calzaghe owed him £1 million after allegedly breaking a verbal agreement and was in breach of contract when the Welsh fighter decided to break-away from Warren's company Sports Network and self-promoted his last bout against Roy Jones Jr.
Calzaghe claimed that Warren had made him signs contracts under duress while he was suffering dehydration and hunger in preparation for fights.
In court, Mr Justice Wyn Williams admitted that he had to "reflect long and hard upon their credibility, accuracy and reliability" in relation to the evidence given by both parties, but felt that had there been an oral agreement in place, then a written agreement would have been signed well before the Hopkins bout.
"I am relieved and delighted at the court's decision. It totally vindicates what has been my stance throughout," said Calzaghe. "The fight with Frank Warren was not one which I sought, but I am delighted to have remained undefeated through it.
"The decision means that I will now be paid money which has been owed to me for almost a year and which was hard earned in the ring against Bernard Hopkins.
"I can move forward into my retirement from the ring with a difficult chapter closed with justice having been done."
Warren insisted he always maintained that he owed Calzaghe money but the pair disputed what the figure was. The promoter said he would be appealing against the amount he would have to pay.