One could hardly blame Sam “King” Soliman if he felt like he was not on anyone’s Valentine list after learning this weekend that his scheduled world title fight against WBA/WBC/WBO Champion Jermain Taylor collapsed for, yet, a second time when it was announced by promoter Lou DiBella that an agreement had been instead reached matching Ronald “Winky” Wright with his fighter, Taylor. Soliman’s promoter, Dan Goossen, revealed that Goossen Tutor Promotions had twice agreed with DiBella Entertainment for Soliman to challenge Taylor in April for his world title belts, only to have last minute maneuvers result in Soliman being passed over in favor of a deal with Wright. Did DiBella disrespect the “King” for not honoring the agreement to fight Soliman, who lost a close decision to Wright last December?

“What can I say?” stated Soliman from his training camp in Australia.  “First I give Winky a battle no one thought I could, and a fight that I and the many fans in attendance believed I had won.  Then my promoter tells me a month ago we have the fight and sometime last weekend informs me we don’t have it.  Then early last week, I’m told it’s back on, only to find out Sunday, it’s not.  This is very unprofessional of Wright and Taylor. Sam Soliman has earned his shot at the winner of the Taylor-Wright bout.  The winner should be mandated to fight Sam next. The promoters of Wright and Taylor should do the right thing with the damage caused to my fighter over the last four weeks,” stated Soliman’s manager Stuart Duncan. Now that’s the Wright thing to do.