There has been a lot of buzz in boxing?s ever active knitting circle regarding a proposed 118 pound tournament being pieced together by Showtime.
Taking after the super middleweight tournament that is currently being decided, Showtime aims to kick off a tournament with bantamweights in the Fall.
According to reports Showtime?s Ken Hershman, who was not available at the time this was being written, is building a tournament featuring network alumni Abner Mares, Yonnhy Perez, Vic Darchinyan, and Joseph Agbeko.
Rumors of Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire being invited are correct, as promoter Bob Arum confirms they were invited, but he turned down the opportunity.
?Montiel and Donaire were invited,? Arum told the Los Angeles Boxing Examiner. ?But I told Showtime I was only interested in an elimination tournament.?
Arum balked at the idea of Montiel and Donaire being locked into a multi-fight tournament. When asked about his trepidation surrounding a multi-fight format, Arum cited the fighters health.
?I don?t want my guys fighting in there just because there are big paydays,? said Arum. ?If one gets hurt and is in a condition where he should not keep fighting, I don?t want them in there.?
Showtime allowed Jermain Taylor to exit the super middleweight tournament after being pulverized by Arthur Abraham in the first series of bouts.
No word if Showtime would amend the tournaments format to account for Arum?s concern.
