By Sampson Lewkowicz

This is a response to [IBF featherweight champion] Billy Dib and [his manager] Michael Karagiannis, regarding Nick Wanshaw's article dated November 23, 2011, where it was reported that $700K would be needed for Dib to face Indonesian WBA world featherweight super champion Chris John.

 

I have to say that Mr. Wanshaw totally misquoted what I said during the interview because no financial figures were mentioned other than the ones that Chris John earns when he fights in Indonesia.

Dib's manager Michael Karagiannis made several comments that were totally irrational and very poorly judged and demonstrate his total lack of knowledge of the ins and outs of the boxing industry.

 

Karagiannis stated "this fight has a 70% chance" - and my answer to him is that he's wrong because this fight has a 0% chance of ever taking place.

Then he went on to say "where else does Chris Johns have to go."  Unlike his fighter Dib, Chris can go back to Indonesia for half a million American dollars or go back to America and fight Yuriokris Gamboa, Orlando Salido or Jhonny Gonzalez. These fights would be accepted by HBO in a heartbeat and by the fans in America.

 

For Mr. Karagiannis' information, Chris John has fought twice in America on HBO and is recognized around the world as one of the best featherweight champions in the sport. He is also the longest reigning active titleholder in all of boxing.