Chavez Jr interview: Refuses to sign extensions to TR

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR: "I WILL NOT BE FORCED TO SIGN ANY EXTENSION TO GET MY JUNE 16TH FIGHT"

BT: Hey Julio. Obviously you guys were expecting to face Martin Murray on June 16th, but he was forced to pull out of the fight because he had problems obtaining a visa. Have you guys found a new opponent for that date yet?

JCC: I was looking forward to fighting Martin Murray, but it's unfortunate he had some visa problems. I'm still looking forward, however, to fighting June 16th in El Paso. There's been a few names that have been mentioned, Vanes Martirosyan and Andy Lee, and I would fight either one of them.

BT: I saw Vanes on Twitter earlier today talking about the possibility of facing you. Have their been talks with either one of those guys yet or are you still just kind of tossing names around?

JCC: Top Rank is talking to the opponents, but I'm okay with whoever they choose for me to fight. I trust Top Rank. They are my promoter. They're very good promoters, but I want to make one thing very clear, I will not be forced to sign extensions to get my fights that are owed to me.

BT: Extensions? I was under the impression that you were already supposed to be fighting on June 16th. Are you saying that Top Rank is now giving you an ultimatum and trying to force you to sign a contract extension before they secure you a new opponent for that date?

JCC: Yes, that was told to me through my Mexican promoter [Fernando Beltran]. I trust Bob Arum will treat me fair, but I will not be forced to sign any extension to get my June 16th fight.

BT: Wow! But technically, they do owe you a fight on June 16th, correct?

JCC:Yes. I look forward to fighting on HBO in El Paso on June 16th, but if I'm going to be forced to sign an extension, I will choose to fight in Mexico instead, probably in Culiacán.

BT: Same date? June 16th?

JCC: I don't know, but some time in June, I will be back fighting.

BT: It almost sounds like they're treatening to sideline you if you don't sign an extension with them.

JCC: I have not spoke to Bob Arum directly, but I am told that they want me to sign an extension in order to get a fight. I want it to be clear that I will not sign any extension in order to get my June fight.

BT: When did talk about this contract extension first come up?

JCC: I spoke to my Mexican promoter, Fernando Beltran, I spoke to my manager Billy [Keane] this morning, and he explained to me what the deal was and how much the money was and Bob [Arum] relayed that there was a 2-fight extension in the contract. I trust Bob will treat me fairly, but again, I will not sign any extension.

BT: Is your contract with Top Rank almost up? Is that why they're trying to get you to sign an extension?

JCC: I do not know for sure, but according to my manager, I have over a year on my contract still with Top Rank. I'm happy with Top Rank; they do a good job promoting me, but I will not be forced or threatened into signing anything.

BT: How soon do you expect to have this issue resolved so you can know what your next move will be?

JCC: I look forward to having a deal in place so I can start training. I want at least 10 weeks to train for this fight. If I do not have a deal before 10 weeks [by mid-April], I will not fight in the U.S. I will fight in Mexico.

BT: But as far as the opponent goes, you're good to go with either one of those guys, whether it's Vanes or Andy?

JCC: I've sparred with Vanes. I know it will be a difficult fight, but I would like to have that fight. Also I like Andy Lee because he's left-handed and it would also help for when I fight Sergio Martinez.

http://tinyurl.com/77zsx59

Strangest interview ive ever read.

hardcorebee24 wrote:Strangest interview ive ever read.

He revealed a lot that many fighters wouldn't do, but hey if he doesn't want to sign an extension he doesn't have to. Arum is just doing his normal BS in business. It's BS that Top Rank is trying to sideline him if he doesn't agree to an extension. I'm surprised the issue of vacating or fighting Martinez didn't come up.

Chavez Jr will go down as a martyr and hero.

what happened to WBC forcing negotiations so Martinez can get a shot they promised him a long time ago.

sergio will get his very big payday if he can get chavez jr into the ring.

The big question is why Vegas.