So here's the deal. Tito Ortiz and Dana White were scheduled to box this past Saturday night. Then, at weigh-ins, Tito wasn't there. Fans and "experts" everywhere were asking how this fight fell apart so suddenly without any notice.
Well, Tito has given his side on his myspace page:
"So, everyone is giving me sh*t for the Dana fight... No one knows what really went on.
Let me tell my side of what real went on. Me and Dana had this argeement to box eachother. I told Dana we should put it on video and sell it. He said "yes that a good idea". So Spike came to Big Bear before the Chuck fight for two days. Used my time from training to shoot for the Spike special. I said that was fine. I took two week off after the chuck fight. Then started my boxing training. You all have to understand that Dana was almost a pro boxer. I was going to take this fight serious. Jenna was helping me with the deal because I seen this as a big money maker. She ask if there was a contract for the fight? She made call's to dana to get the deal done. Craig from Spike called Jenna back to discuss is deal. She asked for executive producer rights for me. Since it was my idea. Help to promote Punishment Athletics for the fight and other deal points. Craig said he would talk to Dana and get back to us. After that I cancel a few appearance's that I had to do. Alot of money that was givin up. So I could train for the fight. I had to get all of my medicals done as a normal fight. I got my eye done then we got a call from Craig. He said that Dana say that they are not going to shoot the fight or cover it in anyway. So this was a real lose,lose situation for me. I lost out on money for appearances. Now I was losing out on promotion and big dollars for the PPV. He didn't want to cut me in on the deal. So as a business man I couldn't do the fight. I have a very big fight with Evans. Why would I risk my health and that fight for free? I wasn't going to make anything for it? I was not going to get taken advantage of as a fighter or a business man. You tell me if I made the right decision? Hopefully this will get ironed out and will be done right the next time. Just trying to do business.....
Tito Ortiz"
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So, nothing new. Most of us have heard by now that the fighters hate Dana because of reasons like this - hoarding all the money. For this, I understand what Tito is saying and will take his side. But will anything ever change?
OK, so Jenna Jameson is now Tito Ortiz' business manager!?!? I'm thinkin' he ought to have enough money to actually have somebody to look after these kinds of details. Jenna seems to be quite the savvy businesswoman, but you really shouldn't have your girlfriend act as your business liason.
Is Dana the ass for wanting all the $$$, or is Tito the idiot for cancelling his other gigs without anything in writing?
"Dana, I'd love to make this thing happen. Let's get some paperwork in place, & we'll be good to go."
If the big name guys can't/won't counter-manage Dana in a reasonably professional manner, then, Dana will keep doing exactly what keeps working for him. Why would he do otherwise? ("You teach people how to treat you." -- Dr. Phil)
Has this been reported by any mainstream media? ESPN doesn't have anything, and you'd think they would at least have something in the Boxing area. (This is the only reason my excitement is tempered.)