Has Atwell’s management made a mistake with his budding career?

Apr 13, 2014 Sports

While being hailed in certain quarters as a Quantum Leap, Clive Atwell’s recent signing to challenge Johnny Gonzalez for the latter’s WBC featherweight title is being labeled as “not well thought out” by sections of the local boxing fraternity.

Johnny Gonzalez
(Getty Images)

Several persons in the boxing circles were debating this impending fight with the majority questioning the rationale behind taking the fight when clearly Atwell needs to be ‘better steered’ on a successful path in the sport based on the promise he has shown and the immense talent he possesses. Several persons spoke about the disparity in experience, also pointing to the purse he is reportedly getting and also the fact he will fight the Mexican in his hometown.
“I am one hundred percent patriotic and would want to see this Dear Land of Guyana win another world title. However, it’s also my duty to call a spade a spade. I don’t think Atwell is ready for this kind of competition and don’t think he can win taking all things into consideration,” one boxing aficionado, who requested anonymity, declared.
“Allow me to put this into perspective. Gonzalez has almost four times as more knockouts as Atwell has fights. Atwell has to fight a Mexican in Mexico. Atwell has never fought outside of Guyana and has never fought a rated fighter,” the boxing knowledgeable added.
“Something that hurts me is the fact that Atwell has signed to fight for US$14,000 for this seemingly suicidal undertaking. That’s less than three million Guyana dollars. After management, trainer and training fees are deducted you guess what he would be left with. The US$14,000 question is who is advising this young man who has a very good future ahead of him. Does his management team really care about his career. It certainly doesn’t look so.”
“My advice would be to drop this fight. Atwell has nothing to earn going to Mexico other than a blemish on his record and some chump change.”
And Seon Bristol, former boxer, now Manager and Boxing Promoter, said, “From the information on the table, I would have to say I see it as a poor decision. Management team and advisers play a pivotal role in boxers’ careers. If you just throw a boxer to the wolves for the sake of a few dollars then that speaks volumes.”
“In my estimation US$14,000 is a ridiculously low purse for a world title fight. It is the lowest that I have ever heard of. It is not apposite compensation for the task at hand,” Bristol noted.
He further went on, “Something doesn’t smell good and if I were to advise Mr. Atwell, my words would be to drop this fight.”
Bristol pointed out, “Everything is stacked against him. The location of the fight, the purse, his experience, Gonzalez’ record and more importantly I understand that Atwell would be training at home for this fight. History would show that Vivian Harris, Wayne Braithwaite, Gary St Clair and Andrew Lewis won world titles…none of them trained for their title fights at home.”
All that offered their views expressed the desire to see Atwell gain more experience in the ring and a course being carefully charted to a world title shot with all the right negotiations in place for adequate remuneration.