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05/11/2004 Archived Entry: "McCline to Appeal IBF Decision"
McCline to Appeal IBF Decision
New York, NY -Representatives of Heavyweight contender Jameel McCline announced today that he intends to appeal the International Boxing Federation's recent decision to deviate from its normal procedure by allowing its champion, Chris Byrd, to bypass his mandatory defense.
McCline was originally scheduled to fight James Toney in an IBF eliminator earlier this year, but was precluded from doing so when an injury to Toney scuttled the fight. Last month, McCline received a letter from the IBF saying he had been designated the mandatory challenger and that his title shot would take place no later than June 20, 2004. Subsequently, promoter Don King paid a $20,000 fee under the IBF's controversial "exception" rule and was quickly granted permission from the IBF to skip over McCline in favor of Golota, whom he has under an exclusive promotional contract.
McCline, by contrast, is promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions, which McCline fears is the real reason that King's request was granted. The fight between Byrd and Golota will be an immediate rematch, which are generally disfavored under IBF rules. McCline's representatives say they fully intend to exhaust all administrative and legal remedies available to McCline in his quest to become the next heavyweight champion of the world. "The IBF should not let the heavyweight championship become the personal property of Don King," said Michael Borao, attorney for Jameel McCline.
