Golden Boy Promotions won the purse bid to stage the WBO Featherweight title by a mere $2500 and the fight will take place on June 21 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California according to Dan Rafael of espn.com
Golden Boy won the promotional rights to the fight with a bid of $1,052,250, edging Top Rank’s offer of $1,050,000 at the ceremony in Orlando, Fla., site of a Top Rank card on Saturday night.
The difference of $2,250 was only two-tenths of 1 percent between the bids. The minimum bid was $150,000.
“I’m happy we are going to be promoting the fight. Gary is very happy, Showtime is happy, and it should be an interesting fight,” said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “I am having conversations with [Showtime Sports chief] Steven [Espinoza] about it. I should have everything wrapped up shortly. We are going on June 21, most likely in Carson.”
“I won the purse. I have to do nothing with them. All that has to happen is that their fighter has to show up,” he said. “I’ll have my matchmakers take care of the paperwork with Top Rank and that’s it. This fight has nothing to do with Top Rank.”
“I discussed a range with Stephen (Espinoza of Showtime) and agreed on a number,” Schaefer said. “We figured out what we could get in foreign television and then I discussed it with Al, and he gave his blessing. I had four envelopes prepared for the bid and then [Friday] morning I called Raul Jaimes [the Golden Boy employee representing the company at the auction]. He was on his way to the purse bid, and I told him which envelope to use.
“It’s an intriguing fight, and there’s more to the story because of what’s going on between Golden Boy and Top Rank and HBO and Showtime.”
Carl Moretti, the Top Rank vice president who represented the company at the bid, told ESPN.com that Lomachenko will participate in the fight.
“Lomachenko will be there 110 percent ready to win the title,” Moretti said. “It’s two southpaws that should make for a very intriguing fight. We know Lomachenko can go a tough 12 rounds, but we don’t know if that’s the case with Russell. We were told the fight is June 21 with a site to be determined. Let’s hope it’s not at the MGM Grand.”
