Connor unhappy with Waters

By Paul Upham: Australian promoter Kieran O’Connor is extremely unhappy with Guy Waters’ decision to take a fight with Anthony Mundine, after previously agreeing to face Australian cruiserweight champion Daniel Rowsell on his “Respect 3…The Eliminator” card at the Octagon, Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Friday September 28.
“Daniel, as I think everyone knows, was fighting Guy Waters. If you don’t know what happened, Guy Waters, not by telling us but obviously through the media decided to take a fight with Anthony Mundine,” said O’Connor.

“The only thing I can actually say on a thing like that is that you get to fight Anthony Mundine once. You could probably fight on ‘Respect’ at least half a dozen times. I don’t think we’ll see him at ‘Respect’.”

Rowsell, 15-1-2 (6), will now face Paul Smallman, 17-13-1 (11), for the vacant PABA cruiserweight title and was disappointed that Waters pulled out of the scheduled fight.

“If Guy was coming back for the money, then he shouldn’t have bothered coming back. I don’t see that is the reason to get into the ring, for the money. As it’s turned out, he’s taken an easier fight. I see Anthony as a step down from me. I think he has taken the right option there if he is getting more money,” said Rowsell.

“Paul Smallman is a tough guy and if he is fit, I know he gives you one hell of a fight. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Rowsell is looking to work his way into the world rankings and would love a crack at former training partner and current WBA world champion Virgil Hill, who spent time living in Sydney in the 1990s.

“Virgil and I were sparring partners when I was just 18 and I was just a baby. I looked up to him and he was my all-time idol and he still is. At age 36, he has come back and won the WBA cruiserweight title and I’d really like to get the PABA title and get ranked in the WBA. I could see Virgil actually coming down here for a fight,” said Rowsell.

“It’s still going to be a great fight for Daniel who is fighting Paul Smallman. We’ve been looking at Paul now for about two months and he has proved himself,” said O’Connor.

WBU super-bantamweight champion Nedal Hussein and WBO No.2 flyweight Hussein Hussein will feature in the co-main events, while the undercard will include Kali Meehan vs Justine Fortune, Jason De Lisle vs Peter Kariuki at light-heavyweight, Team Fenech’s Danny Green, Peter Graham vs Simon Patterson at cruiserweight and Team Fenech’s latest signing, Rubin Rabah vs Mick Kilmurry. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketek and the action will be televised live around Australia on Fox Sports.

Promoter Kieran O’Connor, who has been extremely successful with his first two “Respect” promotions in July and August, gave some career advice to boxers everywhere.

“I believe in business and in life, a handshake is a deal,” said O’Connor.

“Basically, think about the future, think about when you shake hands with someone and think about a contract. Think about what you are doing, because if you want to be in boxing for a long time, I suggest that you actually stick to your word and you’ll get on a lot better.”

Paul Upham
Contributing Editor

Pictured: Nedal Hussein, Kali Meehan and Kieran O’Connor (Photo: Paul Upham)