‘THE BOXING PARADIGM STINKS’
ETERAN New York promoter Lou DiBella has seen it all in his nearly three decades in boxing, but even he had to be disturbed by the developments of the past year. After all, it’s not like he has ever been involved in a saga as frustrating, bizarre, and drawn-out as the accursed Teófimo López and George Kambosos Jnr lightweight showdown that was postponed nearly half a dozen times. But when the fight actually happened — the original entity responsible for the bout, Triller, defaulted on its bid, which went to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom – on November 26 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, DiBella was rewarded. His fighter, Kambosos, notched the upset of his life – and the entire boxing year – beating the ballyhooed López on points. Now Kambosos – previously regarded as nothing more than a Manny Pacquiao sparring partner – has the opportunity to parlay the victory into a tremendously lucrative defence. It is no doubt a welcome development for DiBella, especially in a year that has seen one of his top fighters, Amanda Serrano, leave his promotional fold, and another, O’Shaquie Foster sue him for breach of contract. But
