ANDY Morris has been accused of running scared after pulling out of his Manchester "derby" fight with Stephen Foster junior.
But Morris, the British featherweight champion from Wythenshawe, has blasted back, saying he will face Salford ace Foster "when the money and the time is right."
The fight was due to be the first all-Manchester clash for a British title since Collyhurst rivals Jackie Brown and Johnny King met in 1937.
Foster will now defend his World Boxing Union belt against unbeaten Liverpool fighter Derry Matthews at the Manchester Evening News Arena - on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe's clash with Sakio Bika - on October 14.
Foster's dad, former pro Steve Foster senior, laid into Morris after it was revealed that the former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist had asked to more than double his money from the normal é15,000 he would get for a British title fight to around é35,000.
Furious
Promoters Sports Network said that terms could be agreed, but Foster senior stormed: "Terms were agreed but Morris's people came back and asked for more money. Basically they ran from the fight."
Morris, who heard that Foster was getting more money despite the fact that he was the challenger, was furious on hearing of the accusation.
"I don't run from anyone," he said. "The truth is that this was going to be a big Manchester fight, one that could have topped the bill on its own.
"Why take the fight when he was getting well paid for it and I wasn't? The fight will come off, but not just yet. I notice it is Steve senior who is doing all the shouting, and not junior, because there has never been a problem between us."
The collapse of the fight is a big let-down for Manchester fight fans.
LEVENSHULME-based Mongolian bantamweight Shinny Bayaar produced a major upset at the weekend, knocking out Canadian Commonwealth Games silver medallist Andrew Singh Kooner.
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Well Done Andy, You Deserve To Be Paid Well For The Fight And When It Does Happen We Know Your'll Go All The Way. Best Of Luck For The Future.
perhaps foster snr should fight andy as he,s doing all the mouthing its funny six weeks ago he was saying in the paper that his son wont fight andy for two years and the moneys got to be big what happened steve?
i,m inclined to agree with andy ,as i,ve already said in a previous letter this was the MAIN EVENT in all but name ,i,m sure that the fight will take place but when it do,s it should be on andys terms cos he,s the champion ,i think andy knows full well what he,s doing cos after all its all about money and i think 15 grand is small potatoes for a fight of such magnitude ,no doubt when it do,s come off stephen will thank him for holding out for more money ,as for running scared ,as the old saying go,s fools rush in were angels fear to tread ,best of luck andy in your future fights .
Colin Howard, Thailand- If your reading this just a quick note to say Thank You for your comments. They are much appreciated. Best Wishes Andy.
no probs andy, you,ve done right in holding out for more money ,after training expenses, managers fees etc you would have been left with peanuts ,i wonder how much amir khan will get in his next fight with another "NO HOPER"? ,best of luck for the future .