Sitzes Vs. Hernandez

[computerrank]

remarkable match

[jr]

womenboxing.com/NEWS2007/news072407hernandez.htm

Jeri Sitzes Stripped of NABF Featherweight Title

The NABF decided to strip Jeri Sitzes of her Featherweight title, allowing the August 3rd title fight to continue with boxers Melissa Hernandez and Brooke Dierdorff. Sitzes was originally scheduled to defend her title on July 20th against Hernandez, rescheduled to August 3rd.

Sitzes fought four times after winning the title in January 2006. Although none of these fights was a title defense, Sitzes remains an active competitor. And Sitzes recently scheduled to fight Ada Velez on August 10th in a six-round bout on ESPN2 with possible national broadcast exposure. Sitzes is no stranger to TV with her bouts in the World Combat League.

In My Opinion:

The decision to vacate this title (along with a rules change for title defense) is a “bush league” move by this sanctioning body in light of Sitzes’ recent loss of her mother to a long illness. Sitzes is an active fighter and this latest action is another example why the sanctioning bodies are universally panned.

[Rizing Starz LLC]

J.R. Thank you...here is Team Sitzes Response to recent events.

Press Release from Team Sitzes Regarding NABF Title Bout Scheduled August 3rd, in Atlanta with Melissa Hernandez.

We were forced to withdraw because Jeri Sitzes suffered a very personal tragedy...While in training camp preparing for the upcoming Title Defense scheduled for August 3rd, Jeri received a phone call that her mother had entered the hospital and was gravely ill on July 11. Jeri was forced to immediately break camp to travel home to be with her mother. Her mother died on July 13, 2007. Jeri had to remain in town to assist with arrangements and for her mothers funeral on July 17th. As with most situations like this, she had to help her siblings in the settling of her mothers estate and affairs. Jeri had a very hard time making the decision to continue with the title bout on August 3rd. We presumed that anyone would understand the roller coaster of emotions one goes through with the loss of their mother. In truth, Rizing Starz, Jeri's management nor her trainers, wanted to put undo pressure on Jeri at this very emotional time to make a decision. Jeri teetered back in forth for several days, one minute feeling confident to go on, the next too emotional to consider stepping in the ring. Jeri finally realized no matter how badly she wanted to defend her title on August 3rd, with basically 2 weeks gone from training and the emotional state she was in, it was not feasible nor was it safe, for her to go forward with the Title Defense. Team Sitzes did not have contracts signed or in hand for this fight after the promoter, Gladiator X Promotions had changed the date from July 20,2007 to August 3rd 2007. Adriane Patrick of Gladiator called Rizing Starz Management, and indicated that he totally understood if Jeri needed to withdraw due to the loss of her mother. Mr. Patrick, was very sincere and very understanding of Jeri's situation, and we would like to publicly thank him for his compassion during this horrible time for Jeri.
WBAN, received a press release regarding a bout in Springfield on August 10th and the fact that Jeri was on the card. We were not aware this press release was going out. We feel we must stress this point, contrary to other statements that have been made, Team Sitzes was not actively seeking a fight that contradicted with the fight on the 3rd. Ike Stafford, one of Jeri's trainers, had talked to representatives from Holden Productions, several weeks ago and had told them verbally that we would like to see Jeri fight in this match. At the time of this conversation,the title defense with Hernandez was scheduled for July 20, 2007. There would have been no reason for Jeri not to take the opportunity for the 6 round under-card in Springfield on August 10th. Team Sitzes, however had not talked to them since the date was changed on the Atlanta fight with Melissa Hernandez by the promoter Gladiator X Promotions, from July 20, to August 3rd. When the Press Release was published, Holden Promotions, had no idea that all of these other events, changes in dates, loss Jeri had suffered, etc., had transpired. As of July 17th the day of Jeri's mothers funeral, we still did not have a new contract for Atlanta with the change of date, nor did we have plane or hotel confirmations. It is Jeri and Team Sitzes sincere and genuine hope that some day very soon, Jeri will get the opportunity to meet Melissa Hernandez in the ring in a title bout to regain her title. After receiving several emails from Team Hernandez on Saturday, in response to their receipt of CC correspondence from Jill Diamond, NABF and Team Sitzes. Team Sitzes, management asked Melissa Hernandez if she would be interested in fighting in Springfield on August 10th, for the title if the promoter, Holden Productions would agree. We were willing to show our good faith and willingness for Jeri to go in the ring to defend her title against Melissa. We received an email back from Melissa Hernandez that she would come to Springfield for 7K on the 10th of August. This kind of money was not in the promoters budget, since the bout was slated as a 6 round under-card. We didn't insult them or want to appear unreasonable to the promoter, so we chose not to mention this offer from Hernandez. Jeri didn't feel she could make the fight on the 3rd, but after being notified by Jill Diamond by email that she had read the press release on WBAN and we had broken contract Jeri would be stripped of her title Jeri felt backed into a corner. After receiving several emails from Jill Diamond as well as responses from Team Hernandez regarding emails Jill Diamond, NABF were forwarding to Team Hernandez, Jeri decided that she would go to Atlanta, on August 3rd to defend the NABF Title. Team Sitzes contacted the promoter Sunday July 22nd and told him that rather than the title being stripped and given to Melissa Hernandez, Jeri would come to Atlanta and defend her title. Since the NABF acted without consulting us and without verifying that we had no contract for either fight in question. Management was informed we would need to contact Jill Diamond. Jill had contacted us, and told us any further communication should go through Rex Walker. We called and told Mr. Walker of Jeri's decision, at that time we were told that another fighter had been signed on Saturday for the fight and they had made the decision to strip Jeri of the title. Mr. Walker said that he had talked with Brooke Dierdorf's management the evening before and it was a done deal. He said that the NABF did not want Jeri to go in the ring unprepared and risk being hurt, because she had not trained adequately in preparation for the fight. That was exactly our reason for making the gut-wrenching decision to call the promoter and cancel the bout on July 18th the day after Jeri buried her mother.

After lengthy discussions in our camp, we have decided since Jeri had been stripped of the title, with no verification from our team of the press release, no opportunity to explain, we had no choice but to go forward.

Since obviously Holden Promotions was excited and ready to see Jeri in their ring, we are currently negotiating with them regarding the fight in Springfield.... We entered negotiations with Holden Promotions Monday July 23rd and yes, as of today Jeri will be taking part in that fight on August 10th, in Springfield MO. Press release to follow.

It is Team Sitzes sincere hope that we can procure a match with Melissa Hernandez in the very near future, in no way does Team Sitzes want this unfortunate series of events to be construed as an attempt to avoid Jeri meeting Melissa Hernandez in the ring. That perception, is simply not true and we would welcome the opportunity for Jeri and Melissa Hernandez to fight. We hope that this statement sheds a more complete explanation of events that have transpired and trust that everyone will understand Team Sitzes effort to preserve our questioned integrity and intentions.
Team SitzesJeri "Fists of Fury" Sitzes

[jr]

rizingstarz said:

J.R. Thank you...here is Team Sitzes Response to recent events.

Press Release from Team Sitzes Regarding NABF Title Bout Scheduled August 3rd, in Atlanta with Melissa Hernandez.

We were forced to withdraw because Jeri Sitzes suffered a very personal tragedy...While in training camp preparing for the upcoming Title Defense scheduled for August 3rd, Jeri received a phone call that her mother had entered the hospital and was gravely ill on July 11. Jeri was forced to immediately break camp to travel home to be with her mother. Her mother died on July 13, 2007. Jeri had to remain in town to assist with arrangements and for her mothers funeral on July 17th. As with most situations like this, she had to help her siblings in the settling of her mothers estate and affairs. Jeri had a very hard time making the decision to continue with the title bout on August 3rd. We presumed that anyone would understand the roller coaster of emotions one goes through with the loss of their mother. In truth, Rizing Starz, Jeri's management nor her trainers, wanted to put undo pressure on Jeri at this very emotional time to make a decision. Jeri teetered back in forth for several days, one minute feeling confident to go on, the next too emotional to consider stepping in the ring. Jeri finally realized no matter how badly she wanted to defend her title on August 3rd, with basically 2 weeks gone from training and the emotional state she was in, it was not feasible nor was it safe, for her to go forward with the Title Defense. Team Sitzes did not have contracts signed or in hand for this fight after the promoter, Gladiator X Promotions had changed the date from July 20,2007 to August 3rd 2007. Adriane Patrick of Gladiator called Rizing Starz Management, and indicated that he totally understood if Jeri needed to withdraw due to the loss of her mother. Mr. Patrick, was very sincere and very understanding of Jeri's situation, and we would like to publicly thank him for his compassion during this horrible time for Jeri.
WBAN, received a press release regarding a bout in Springfield on August 10th and the fact that Jeri was on the card. We were not aware this press release was going out. We feel we must stress this point, contrary to other statements that have been made, Team Sitzes was not actively seeking a fight that contradicted with the fight on the 3rd. Ike Stafford, one of Jeri's trainers, had talked to representatives from Holden Productions, several weeks ago and had told them verbally that we would like to see Jeri fight in this match. At the time of this conversation,the title defense with Hernandez was scheduled for July 20, 2007. There would have been no reason for Jeri not to take the opportunity for the 6 round under-card in Springfield on August 10th. Team Sitzes, however had not talked to them since the date was changed on the Atlanta fight with Melissa Hernandez by the promoter Gladiator X Promotions, from July 20, to August 3rd. When the Press Release was published, Holden Promotions, had no idea that all of these other events, changes in dates, loss Jeri had suffered, etc., had transpired. As of July 17th the day of Jeri's mothers funeral, we still did not have a new contract for Atlanta with the change of date, nor did we have plane or hotel confirmations. It is Jeri and Team Sitzes sincere and genuine hope that some day very soon, Jeri will get the opportunity to meet Melissa Hernandez in the ring in a title bout to regain her title. After receiving several emails from Team Hernandez on Saturday, in response to their receipt of CC correspondence from Jill Diamond, NABF and Team Sitzes. Team Sitzes, management asked Melissa Hernandez if she would be interested in fighting in Springfield on August 10th, for the title if the promoter, Holden Productions would agree. We were willing to show our good faith and willingness for Jeri to go in the ring to defend her title against Melissa. We received an email back from Melissa Hernandez that she would come to Springfield for 7K on the 10th of August. This kind of money was not in the promoters budget, since the bout was slated as a 6 round under-card. We didn't insult them or want to appear unreasonable to the promoter, so we chose not to mention this offer from Hernandez. Jeri didn't feel she could make the fight on the 3rd, but after being notified by Jill Diamond by email that she had read the press release on WBAN and we had broken contract Jeri would be stripped of her title Jeri felt backed into a corner. After receiving several emails from Jill Diamond as well as responses from Team Hernandez regarding emails Jill Diamond, NABF were forwarding to Team Hernandez, Jeri decided that she would go to Atlanta, on August 3rd to defend the NABF Title. Team Sitzes contacted the promoter Sunday July 22nd and told him that rather than the title being stripped and given to Melissa Hernandez, Jeri would come to Atlanta and defend her title. Since the NABF acted without consulting us and without verifying that we had no contract for either fight in question. Management was informed we would need to contact Jill Diamond. Jill had contacted us, and told us any further communication should go through Rex Walker. We called and told Mr. Walker of Jeri's decision, at that time we were told that another fighter had been signed on Saturday for the fight and they had made the decision to strip Jeri of the title. Mr. Walker said that he had talked with Brooke Dierdorf's management the evening before and it was a done deal. He said that the NABF did not want Jeri to go in the ring unprepared and risk being hurt, because she had not trained adequately in preparation for the fight. That was exactly our reason for making the gut-wrenching decision to call the promoter and cancel the bout on July 18th the day after Jeri buried her mother.

After lengthy discussions in our camp, we have decided since Jeri had been stripped of the title, with no verification from our team of the press release, no opportunity to explain, we had no choice but to go forward.

Since obviously Holden Promotions was excited and ready to see Jeri in their ring, we are currently negotiating with them regarding the fight in Springfield.... We entered negotiations with Holden Promotions Monday July 23rd and yes, as of today Jeri will be taking part in that fight on August 10th, in Springfield MO. Press release to follow.

It is Team Sitzes sincere hope that we can procure a match with Melissa Hernandez in the very near future, in no way does Team Sitzes want this unfortunate series of events to be construed as an attempt to avoid Jeri meeting Melissa Hernandez in the ring. That perception, is simply not true and we would welcome the opportunity for Jeri and Melissa Hernandez to fight. We hope that this statement sheds a more complete explanation of events that have transpired and trust that everyone will understand Team Sitzes effort to preserve our questioned integrity and intentions.
Team SitzesJeri "Fists of Fury" Sitzes

In my opinion, the sanctioning body should reinstate Jeri Sitzes as the title holder.