Outside Source
As of March, boxing promoter-slash-manager Hearn picked up a major client: Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Since that arrangement came into place, Hearn has been harshly criticizing the UFC for underpaying Aspinall. The Matchroom Boxing chairman recently asked for Aspinall’s release from the UFC, promising to increase the Englishman’s earnings substantially more than what he is currently making.
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Responding to Hearn’s comments, White snapped back by asking for the release of one of Hearn’s most valued boxers, two-division champ Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs). White said at a Zuffa Boxing press conference:
“[Hearn] said he wanted [Aspinall] released, right? Well, you release ‘Bam’ Rodriguez then. Sounds pretty stupid, doesn’t it? Congratulations again, Eddie. You sound stupid again.”
The current WBC, WBO and “The Ring” super flyweight titleholder is scheduled to challenge Antonio Vargas for the WBA bantamweight title on June 13. “Bam” will be attempting to become a three-division champion at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Meanwhile, Aspinall’s (15-3) relationship with the UFC soured after his first title defense against Ciryl Gane last year ended in a no contest due to an eye poke from Gane in the first round. White seemed disappointed with Aspinall for choosing not to continue and downplayed the champion’s eye injury. Aspinall signed with the management of Hearn soon after. With Aspinall sidelined, Alex Pereira and Gane are scheduled to fight for an interim heavyweight belt at the White House on Sunday. While Aspinall is expected to face the winner of that bout, Hearn also claimed says he won’t let Aspinall compete under his current UFC contract.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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