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“Cold Warrior” Richard Schaefer Left Out In The Cold On Mayweather-Maidana Rematch

Posted on 07/10/2014

By Sean Crose

The fight world may not be surprised to learn that Floyd Mayweather will be facing Marcos Maidana again on September 13th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. What is surprising, however, is the fact that Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions will be promoting the event, possibly alongside Mayweather’s own promotional banner.

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De La Hoya and Mayweather have had a less than friendly history, after all – one that appeared to have become even less friendly in the past several months. For, while battling his addictions, De La Hoya had made it clear that he once again wanted to take over the reins at Golden Boy.

Yet Richard Schaefer, the former Swiss banker who had been pretty much running things while De La Hoya was dealing with his personal problems, was none too happy with the direction Oscar now wanted to start leading his company in. Harsh words, resignations and legal actions ensued.

Bottom line – Schaefer was out and De La Hoya was in charge and assertive at Golden Boy. Schaefer reportedly had a great relationship with Floyd Mayweather, however. What’s more, Schaefer also reportedly had a great relationship with Mayweather’s “adviser,” the powerful Al Haymon.

If De La Hoya was no longer doing business with Schaefer, people assumed, then Mayweather and Haymon would no longer do business with him. As if often the case, though, people ended up assuming wrong. For, as things stand, Mayweather, Haymon, and De La Hoya are now working hand in hand on the Maidana rematch while Schaefer – boxing’s ultimate cold warrior – has found himself out in the cold.

Perhaps Schaefer himself has chosen for things to be this way. Perhaps not. Frankly, it’s impossible to tell – at least for the time being. The fact that Schaefer isn’t involved in the promotion at all, however, is bound to raise at least a few eye brows.

Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, however, has indicated that the Mayweather-De La Hoya co-promotion may have emerged out of necessity. In other words, this may not be the Kumbaya moment some might have undoubtedly hoped it would be.

“Mayweather, who does not have his promoters license in Nevada,” Carp writes, “is seeking to obtain one. However, the timing of the process likely would have prevented him from making the Sept. 13 date.”

In other words, Mayweather may have had no choice but to partner up with Golden Boy if he wanted to fight at the MGM Grand, as he traditionally has. De La Hoya would clearly have been happy to oblige. After all, a successful and lucrative fight would not only make both he and Mayweather a lot of money, it would also show that they could successfully work together in the future.

Yet even if Mayweather-Maidana II proves to be a massive success, there’s still a great deal of tension in the air. Aside from the legal issues De La Hoya is having with Schaefer, there’s the possibility that a good percentage of fighters Golden Boy has promoted are actually beholden to Mayweather’s adviser, Haymon. That may lead to serious issues between Haymon and De La Hoya.

And then there’s the question of where Schaefer is going to find himself employed next. Mayweather is said to be happily willing to take the man on. Word is Al Haymon might not mind having Schaefer on his payroll, either. Seeing as how Schaefer, unlike De La Hoya, refuses to do business with Top Rank and Bob Arum, his presence within the Mayweather/Haymon camp may end up complicating already complicated matters to an even further degree.

For now, though, there’s September 13th. And, for once, there seems to be at least a bit of unity amongst a couple of boxing’s various factions. That alone is worth at least a small nod of approval from fans and analysts alike.

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