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Leonard Dissolves Promotion
Company After Dispute |
SUGAR RAY LEONARD is dissolving his company, Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing, according to Dan Rafael of USA TODAY. Leonard said that a “falling out” with partner BJORN REBNEY over Leonard’s work with NBC’s “The Contender” made him “throw in the towel on promoting.” Leonard: “We did some great shows with evenly matched fights. I took great pride in it. But the TV show came about and made my decision a lot easier. I already had it in the back of my mind to dissolve the company.” Leonard said of Rebney, who is suing him, “My company could have blossomed, but I had a cancer in my company.” But Rebney said Leonard “turned his back on [the company]. He had contracts and obligations to fighters and casinos and to me.” Rafael noted Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing, whose ESPN deal expired last month, “will promote one more untelevised card Nov. 18. Then its dozen or so fighters may sign elsewhere, including prospects BERNARD DUNNE, PAUL WILLIAMS and CARLOS QUINTANA and former junior middleweight titlist VERNO PHILLIPS” (USA TODAY, 10/20).
