Winky Wright Vs. Grady Brewer called off

Posted Dec 1, 2009 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Dec 1, 2009 at 12:42 PM

It was Winky Wright’s hope to be fighting in Puerto Rico in 10 days, but his Dec. 11 match against Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KOs) has been called off.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael is reporting the bout was called off after co-promoter San Juan City Knockout withdrew its support. Wright’s adviser, Damian Ramirez, told Rafael, “The local promoter canceled the show after he completely paid in full all the PPV expenses, travel, advertising, marketing, commercials.”

This would have been the first fight for Wright (51-5-1, 25 KOs), the former undisputed WBC/WBA and IBF junior middleweight champion, since his April loss to Paul Williams in Las Vegas.

The event was to be a joint promotion between Winky Wright Promotions and Knockout Entertainment, Inc. Brewer, a two-time light middleweight champ, is the winner of Season 2 of The Contender. The undercard, which also was called off, was to feature Alex “el Nene” Sanchez, Eliezer Gonzalez (6-0, 3 KOs), Juan Carlos Velasquez (9-1, 5 KOs) and Carlos Ivan Velasquez (11-0-1, 9 KOs).

Here’s a statement released by Swanson Communications on the matter:

Amid conflicting reports regarding reasons for the cancellation of the Winky Wright vs. Grady Brewer Pay-Per-View show scheduled for December 11, Winky Wright has issued the following statement.

“I am really disappointed the show can’t happen as I was training very hard and really wanted to get back in the ring. I was so looking forward to fighting in Puerto Rico in front of all the Puerto Rican people who are boxing fanatics and really know and appreciate the sport. 

“I still am a bit shocked the show was cancelled by the promoter in Puerto Rico, but I want to make it perfectly clear it was not because I asked for millions of dollars to fight. We had done everything possible to make this show come together and I knew the financial considerations I needed to make in order for it to happen. Unfortunately now this is not the case, and I will look to find another alternative so I can fight as soon as possible. I hope that we can work something out so that I will be fighting in the early part of 2010, as I am anxious to use all the hard work and training I have already put in for this show. I just hope everyone has a great holiday season, and look for me to fight again soon after the New Year.”