[kenyan_cheena]

MOLK REVEALS DATES AND VENUES
FOR IBL SELECTION TRIALS

Monday 8 April 2002

In a surprising but welcomed announcement, International Boxing League Chief Director James Molk today revealed the league's schedule for its tournament selection trials.

In stark contrast to his first media conference last Thursday, which was attended by journalists from the financial and business media, today's was jam-packed with cameramen and reporters from ESPN, CBS SportsLine, HBO Sports and numerous other agencies. Like that first conference, it was held at Molk's MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce the dates for the International Boxing League's selection trials," said Molk. "I know that this is something that might not have been expected so quickly, but all of you will find in the coming weeks and months that the IBL is nothing if not prepared. Most of this schedule was in place a month ago, with only a few venues here and there being confirmed recently."

Molk went on to read off dates starting from early May and extending through until mid-June, and venues encompassing the entire globe.

"The International Boxing League will employ five teams of twenty men to undergo the task of selecting the competitors for our World Championship qualifiers," Molk continued. "Each team will cover one of these five specific regions: North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. We believe that with this strategy we will maximise the level of talent that contests the IBL's tournaments. I won't hesitate to say that I believe some of the individuals competing in the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's various tournaments are simply not up to it. No offense to these fighters themselves, but whether that's an indicator of the depth of talent in the Heavyweight division, or due to the selection standards of the federation, I can't say. I do know that the IBL's World Championship tournaments will be contested by the most talented, able fighters available. Each boxer who competes in these 72-man tournaments will be required to pass a strict fitness and talent criteria. Otherwise, they will not be included, it's as simple as that."

Molk paused briefly before continuing. "The IBL has no interest in staging mismatches," he said. "For this reason, we will be holding fight cards that are totally separate from our World Championship tournaments. You may have heard President Vincennes question the amount of competitors in the IBL. Well, if he'd waited before speaking on that, he'd now know that the WC tournament is really just the tip of our iceberg. Obviously, not all fighters are made equal, but we want the level of competition in the World Championship tournaments to be as equal as we can possibly make it. Likewise, these separate fight cards will feature fighters who, honestly, are not yet at the level required to compete for the World Championship. They will not be put in over their heads, like lambs to the slaughter. They will learn the skills required of a professional boxer against opponents who are of a talent level similar to their own."

At this stage of the conference, Molk surprisingly opened up the floor for questions. Not surprisingly, the first question was in regards to HBF President Michael Vincennes.

"What did you think of President Vincennes' speech on Saturday evening?" asked the journalist.

Molk smiled and laughed. "Well, a lot of it had to do with human nature, really," he replied. "I learnt when I was young that when people's interests are threatened, they'll often lash out in defence of them. I think what we saw on Saturday was just another example of that."

"So does that mean that you dismissed most of what Vincennes had to say?"

Molk sighed. "What we have here is really a simple situation, one that Vincennes has tried to complicate by drawing attention away from the most important issue. The HBF wasn't prepared to cater to the lower weight divisions. We are. You can say as much as you want about imitation and respect, but it won't change the truth of that important issue. It's all that matters to me and the IBL."

"The words of the HBF competitors who have backed your organisation must have given you a lot of encouragement," offered another journalist.

A broad smile on his face, Molk laughed. "Well, it just shows that they seem to have a much better idea of what's really important than their own president does. They know that the IBL will be good for boxing, but it shouldn't take a genius to know that. It's baffling that they realise it, but Vincennes doesn't, or won't. I would never speak an ill word against any of the HBF's boxers. I have so much admiration for the way they've performed, and I'll continue to watch them perform as the HBF tournaments progress. I'm as eager and excited as anyone else to see who will become the federation's first World Champion."

A third journalist asked Molk what his opinion was of New York Age columnist James Reynolds.

"I've never met him personally, although my father did many times. When we allowed him to know our intentions for boxing, it was one of my fellow Chief Directors, Raymond Bell, who spoke to him. I know that in the past he wrote some great articles on baseball, aswell as other sports like football and basketball. But, like a lot of you, I've been quite puzzled in regards to the direction he's taken ever since becoming fixated on Elmer Ray. I still haven't been able to figure out why he carries such a grudge against the young man, because I think he's just great for the sport. I heard Elmer Ray say yesterday that his cousin will be trying out for the IBL, which is really something to look forward to. But it's been a very strange journey that Mr. Reynolds has tried to lead us on, I have to say. I could hazard a guess and say that he's lost his edge, or just become bitter at the word, I don't know. What he wrote about the HBF on Friday was uncalled for, in my opinion. It was more a shot at the organisation than Vincennes himself, which is just an inexplicable thing to write."

Not long after, the conference was brought to a close, with an amiable, confident James Molk not leaving through a back door, but strolling casually through his casino, exchanging pleasantries with patrons and further words with the trail of journalists who followed on his heels...