Boxing promoter: The Game ‘wanted too much money’, DMX-Zimmerman fight ‘won’t be all-out war’
theGRIO REPORT - Damon Feldman, a former boxing professional and the organizer of celebrity boxing matches, confirmed to theGrio Wednesday that George Zimmerman will officially be entering the ring with rapper DMX...
Damon Feldman, a former boxing professional and the organizer of celebrity boxing matches, confirmed to theGrio Wednesday that George Zimmerman will officially be entering the ring with rapper DMX.
The news first broke last week that Zimmerman had expressed an interest in participating in a boxing match.
So far, Feldman has received over 15,000 emails from people and celebrities nationwide who wish to take on Zimmerman in the ring, including Lindsay Lohan’s father, Michael Lohan, and rapper The Game.
However, after days of consideration Feldman has officially chosen DMX to box against the former neighborhood watch guard.
“A few thousand people suggested DMX and he went on TMZ challenging Zimmerman,” Feldman told theGrio, explaining why he chose the embattled actor-rapper as Zimmerman’s opponent.
“He’s a controversial guy,” he added.
Feldman — who has organized over 55 celebrity boxing fights — said the match will adhere to the standards of the sport and both players will wear the required headgear and equipment in the ring, including gloves and padded headgear.
The match will consist of three separate 1 1/2 – 2 minute rounds of boxing and it will be aired on the Internet. Audience members who will attend the live match will be accepted via invite-only.
Feldman ensured that there will be proper security at the event and that it will be follow all the guidelines of previous matches he has promoted: “It’s not going to be an all-out war,” he said.
As for the referee, Feldman revealed that Floyd Mayweather Sr. may take on that role. More information will be released during a press conference next Wednesday.
Rapper The Game — who has a tattoo of the late Trayvon Martin on his leg — originally volunteered to participate in the match. He previously told TMZ:
“I will beat the f**k out of him. I would not be boxing for me. I’d be boxing for the legacy of Trayvon Martin and for his family.”
However, Feldman declined his request stating that they couldn’t afford the rapper’s asking price to participate in the match: “The Game wanted too much money,” Feldman told theGrio.
Feldman previously told theGrio that he was initially approached by one of Zimmerman’s associates who expressed his enthusiasm in the event.
“He told me he always had a passion for boxing and wanted to do a match,” Feldman said.
DMX has not yet made an official statement on the challenge but reportedly told TMZ: “I am breaking every rule in boxing to make sure I f**k him right up.”
Feldman said all proceeds from the match will go to charity although further details on this matter have yet to be confirmed.
The match is expected to take place on March 15 but according to DMX’s spokespeople the fight has not been officially signed off on.
“The boxing match between George Zimmerman and DMX is not officially confirmed. DMX has promised to ‘beat his a**,’ but no contract or paperwork has been signed or agreed to yet. DMX will release an official statement if and when an agreement is made,” his reps told Huffington Post.
Rev. Al Sharpton has also weighed in on the event:
“We must be very careful not to glorify or in any way sidestep the implications of making someone whose only claim to fame was killing an unarmed young man named Trayvon Martin into a cultural celebrity or hero. He has the right to pursue whatever he wants in life, yet we also have the obligation to be discerning about who we lift and to what level. It is perfectly legal for him to exploit his fame but we should never forget what he is famous for and not behave like he is a celebrity based on gifts or talent or contributions to society. I am concerned about the precedent that it sets.”
Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works
