The boxing world was shocked over the weekend when it was revealed that promoter Eddie Hearn cancelled a fight due to irregular betting activity, and now one of the men at the centre of the drama has released a statement on the matter.
Aqib Fiaz was set to take on Kane Baker on a Matchroom Boxing show in Birmingham, but just hours before the fight was due to go ahead, the fight was cancelled, with the reason why initially not known.
Hearn later revealed that he had received information that irregular betting activity had occured on the fight, and after investigating the matter and discussing it with the Gambling Commission and the British Boxing Board of Control, the bout was cancelled.
Baker has now released a statement explaining his version of events, saying that he had no involvement in the matter.
“There were no bets made from my people or my team and the investigation from whatever gambling organisation will confirm this. This whole situation only got flagged when a member of my family contacted the other team to ask why there was bribes and money at my hotel.
“If I was betting against myself surely I would have gone ahead with the fight, I wouldn’t have allowed a family member to contact the opposition to stop the fight. The fight was never going ahead unless I agreed to take a dive and that’s the f**king facts.
“Team Fiaz did not want to fight me, and told me several times. And another thing, if I wanted to bet on myself I wouldn’t have a member of Team Fiaz flying round getting bets on. I’d get them on myself. Make it make sense.
“The fact Fiaz reckons he’s been told he can’t speak on the matter is pure bulls**t because noone has told me that I can’t speak. So enough bulls**t ya pair of p**cks, you’ve admitted to your manager so find an a**ehole between you and tell the truth to the fans.”
Baker then released a follow up, where he took aim at Fiaz’s manager Steve Wood and instructed him to comment on the ongoing situation.
“You should f**king release that a member of your team has admitted to you that he has placed bets on me and trying to get me to dive. This is my livelihood too, my mental health. Why should I have to deal with c*** after c*** calling me a cheat when I have been an honest fighter my whole career.
“Tell the f**king truth the fight only got pulled when my family member got in contact with the coach to stop the fight. The only person with any decency in that team is the coach. Facts.”
More developments on the matter are expected in the coming days.
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