Former junior middleweight champion Verno Phillips promotional agreement with Banner Promotions is set to expire in September 2009. Over the last eight months his manager and advisor have made over 100 attempts via email and telephone to contact Banner Promotions in an attempt to figure out what exactly their plans with Verno were. Team Phillips has received neither a response, nor a formal offer for any boxing match.

Actually there might have been ONE quick three line email saying they're working on something and ONE or TWO brief phone calls, but Banner Promotions has clerly done a better job of avoiding Verno Phillips than promoting him. Since Verno's last fight, a November 29, 2008 loss on HBO to Paul Williams, Banner Promotions has promoted several shows on ESPN and in South Africa with Rodney Berman, yet Phillips hasn't received a formal offer for a fight since Paul Williams. 

"I've always been a warrior in this game. People who know me, know I always come to fight. I bring it. I just want to get back in the ring, I've been ready to get back in the ring and it hasn't been happening," said Phillips. 

Since its term is on the verge of expriration and there clearly hasn't been any of the reasonable communication and good faith dealings the contract calls for, Team Phillips is of the opinion that they are already free agents and will look to commence discussions with other promoters in the very near future.

"Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I think a fresh start is just what the doctor ordered.