The California State Athletic Commission sided with promoter Dan Goossen in his dispute filed by world Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward according to Dan Rafael of espn.com
“We’ve enjoyed a very honorable and successful relationship with Andre Ward and I can only hope having to go through this whole legal process will only strengthen our relationship moving forward,” Goossen said. “I’ve said for years that he had the talent — both in and out of the ring — possessed by the other greats before him such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya and, of course, Floyd Mayweather.
“Now I look forward to getting back to promoting Andre’s next bout, as well as helping him become the No. 1 fighter in the sport.”
“I want to thank the California State Athletic Commission and the Attorney General’s office for protecting not only their licensed boxers, but their licensed promoters as well,” Goossen said.
“I believe I am in the prime of my professional boxing career,” Ward said before the ruling. “Actions of a California licensed promoter (Goossen) are preventing me from defending my title and pursuing my profession. A boxer has a limited timeframe to earn his livelihood, provide for his family and, let alone, perform at a championship caliber level. Goossen’s actions leave me with the possibility of not stepping in to the ring at all in 2013.”
“It is absolutely crazy to me that this man (Goossen) would stand in the way of Andre’s boxing career and his next title defense, and not respect Andre’s request that his co-promoter and manager be part of those discussions,” said Ward’s manager James Prince. “Understandably, HBO did not want to get in the middle of any dispute between Andre’s co-promoters or Andre and Goossen, but for this man to refuse to attend a meeting because he wanted to be the only one talking with HBO and have sole control over Andre’s career is flat out wrong.
“There are multiple reasons to terminate the promotional agreement with Goossen and we are following proper procedures with our sole objective of always doing what is in the best interests of Andre Ward.”
Said Ward, “Goossen had various opportunities to meet with HBO and to interact with my manager. He refused and otherwise did not respond to my team regarding these important business dealings concerning my career.”
