[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

A dozen journalists spoke at once, throwing questions at Molk.

"I won't be asking- sorry, answering, any questions at this time," Molk shouted over them. "I know you've got plenty of them, but there are still a number of issues I want to cover before concluding this conference, and much of what I say will answer your questions so please do me the courtesy of listening."

This silenced the crowd, and Molk continued.

"Now, one of the first things I'm sure you're all curious about is why there was so much silence, from myself and the other directors," said Molk. "You might be wondering why, after the James Reynolds story, we never came forward and revealed ourselves. Why were we so secretive? Well, firstly, countless hours of planning have gone into what I have launched here today. The IBL will be the most professionally-run sporting organisation in the world, don't doubt that, so there was no chance that we would make an announcement of this magnitude without being fully prepared. There's only one reason why James Reynolds was able to publish that story back in February: we allowed him to. At the time, it was portrayed as a great exclusive that Reynolds had gotten. No, we knowingly gave him that information, but we told him only what we wanted the public to know at the time. Soon after, we arranged the revelations of Ray Leonard and Michael Spinks. Everything that has happened during the past two months in our regard has been according to our timetable and every individual who has played a part in it has signed confidentiality agreements."

Molk paused to take a sip of water before proceeding onwards.

"I read a number of newspaper articles which stated that any new boxing organisation that was formed would simply be, how did they put it?, "riding the HBF's coattails". At the time, they made me laugh, because I knew that the International Boxing League will not only equal the level of competition that exists in the HBF, but it will better it. History is littered with examples of copying an idea, building upon and improving it. They say that imitation is the ultimate form of flattery, and I'm not ashamed to say that the IBL will be borrowing quite substantially from the HBF in many areas. Michael Vincennes and the HBF have done a great, incredible service to the sport of boxing. That is clear and obvious for all to see. But the directors and officers of the International Boxing League feel that they could have gone further. And, as President Vincennes has made clear a number of times, they are not prepared to do that. Well, that's where the IBL comes in. We are prepared to do that one thing that the HBF will not. We will take that next step. We will give thousands of boxers the world over the chance to compete as professionals. Don't kid yourself. This is something that wasn't going to eventuate any time soon if it had been just left to the HBF. They brought the sport of boxing into the spotlight, no doubt. But the International Boxing League is going to make boxing the premier sport the world over."

"Some of you might be wondering if my part ownership of Home Box Office will play a part in the IBL's future," said Molk. "It certainly will. HBO has been signed as the exclusive broadcaster of all IBL fight cards. More information on this issue will be available in the coming days, but suffice it to say that this agreement will cover every single fight card organised by the International Boxing League, from regional cards right up to World Championship events. Fans of the IBL will never have to pay $50 to watch a Championship bout. HBO has made a considerable, serious investment into this sport, and we are eternally thankful to them for that."

"Now, on to the really important issue, the boxing itself," Molk continued after another drink. "The International Boxing League has made contact with every single fighter who contested the semi-final rounds at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and inquired about their desire to compete as professional boxers. Needless to say, a large majority of them have answered in the affirmative and we have guaranteed each of them a spot in the International Boxing League's regional World Championship qualifying tournaments. At this time, I would like to introduce a trio of these young men. They will be familiar to some of you as a result of their exploits at the Olympics for our great nation."

From a back room came three young black men, all dressed smartly in business pants and shirts. Molk shook hands with each of them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please let me introduce Ray Leonard of Maryland, our Light-Welterweight gold medallist; Michael Spinks of Missouri, gold medallist in the Middleweight division, and last, but not least, Lightweight gold medallist Pernell Whitaker, who hails from Virginia."

(to be continued)