http://ringtalk.com./index.php?action=fullnews&showcomments=1&id=1786
26 February, 2008 by Greg Sirb
PENNSYLVANIA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Dear WBC President Mr. Jose Sulaiman,
I am writing in response to your recent action regarding the Pavlik-Taylor boxing event held in Nevada on February 16, 2008. This contest, which although was at the 12-round championship level, was held at a catch-weight of 166 and thus in my mind and in many others was not sanctioned by any organization as a world title - unless of course the WBC has a new weight class for 166. In fact it is true even if Pavlik would have lost he would still have retained his WBC Middleweight title because his "belt" was not on the line.
With this being said I was "astounded and confused" of why $25,000 was taken out of Pavlik's purse and given to the WBC.
I realize that the WBC has stated that they considered this a "Special Event" for their champion (Pavlik) but to me (and to Pavlik's own Commission in Ohio) it sure just looked like an easy way for the WBC to make $25,000. If the WBC is stating that any boxer who wins their title MUST pay a fee every time they compete regardless if it is to defend their title or not then that sounds more like a "personal service contract" or "managerial contract" rather than a sanctioning body.
I would hope that you would seriously reconsider this money-grab policy on the grounds that it is just not right. I am sure Mr. Pavlik will be a fine champion for the WBC and will make your organization plenty of money (the WBC take 3% of the boxers purse, so if on average Pavlik's purse is around $2 million, this means you can collect some $60,000 from Pavlik after every fight) This should be enough to satisfy any organization.
Again I would hope that the WBC would take the time to reconsider this policy and then eliminate it as it is not needed.
Sincerely,
Gregory Sirb
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Athletic Commission
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