Guyanese fighter Iwan Azore has accused national welterweight champion Floyd Trumpet of faking a broken nose to get out of his "Night of the Champions" bout against the WBC's fifth-ranked welterweight, Romanian Ionut Dan Ion, at the Jean Pierre Complex on Friday.According to Trumpet, his nose began to bleed during a sparring session last week and a subsequent X-ray taken by Dr Calvin Inalsingh revealed a damaged cartilage. He said he was advised against entering the ring for another three weeks.
Azore (13-3-3, 3 KO), who was named as Trumpet's replacement and will be fighting for the WBU World, UBO World and WBC Cabofe welterweight titles, made the accusation while sitting three seats away from Trumpet during a press conference at Alicia's Palace on Lady Chancellor Hill, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
"I would like to thank Floyd for running from this fight and giving me the opportunity. He claims his nose is broken but where is the evidence? Is his nose swelled? He heard he had to fight the number-five person in the world and his body trembled. He probably saw the tapes and decided to back out."
Much to the Trumpet's irritation, Azore continued to taunt him throughout the conference."Champions don't back down. They protect themselves at all times. I don't think any amateur could have broken my nose and run me out of the gym. An amateur hit you so hard that you broke your nose? Come on, you're a professional. I've sparred with Kirt Sinnette and Kerston Manswell and my nose is still in tact."
Azore added that after seeing Ionut's previous fight on Youtube, he was confident that he could come out victorious.Trumpet, who defeated Azore in 2008 and has since tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a rematch, dismissed the Guyanese's claims."What do you mean I'm running from it?" He interrupted at one stage. "I done beat you already boy! Why you running from me for the past year when we offered you all kind of money."
Trumpet then decided on the spot that his next fight would be against Azore."I hope to God that he comes out after this fight with no injuries because I want to be the one to lay claim to all the buss eyes and buss nose and when he's unable to eat and will have to drink through a straw. I must have the claim to that."Trumpet's manager Joanne Balgobin maintained that they had nothing to hide and promised to make his medical records and X Ray available to the press.During the press conference, it was also revealed by Unified Boxing Promotions' Giovanni Potts that Kerston Manswell would possibly take on St Lucian Patrick Wilson (1-2-0) at Friday's event.