(MAY 29) As the manager/Trainer of Sarah Pucek I feel we need to clear some items up regarding the challenge to Ms. Dierdorff. I am simply trying to facilitate a fight and am not engaging in some personal diatribe. There is a recession and Casinos are cutting budgets all over. The Emerald Queen and Halquist Promotions are currently working on Battle on the Boat 72. They must work within their budgets or they will be no Battle on the Boat 73. As someone who has promoted fights I understand the economic realities of these types of events and no one is getting rich. I know we all would like to see our fighters receive more money but the reality is what it is.

Ms. Dierdorff received the fight offer due to fact she has been active and is someone who is available for fights. We did not ask for it to be a title fight specifically out of respect for the title and the understanding of the budget for this fight. I told Ms. Pucek when she turned pro; if money was here priority she should go sell real estate or something since no one is getting rich by boxing at this level. Sarah Pucek loves the sport of boxing and is a true competitor and advocate of women’s boxing.

We are willing to take the tough fights and believe it is in the interest of the sport for boxing fans to see good competitive female fights. We have no control in the purse offer and can just ask the promotion to seek out a certain fight. I understand Ms. Dierdorff's concerns, and by her tone it is apparent she is resigned to losing the fight. If she was confident in winning the fight she should be looking at it as a keep busy non-title affair. That is how a real champion would react to this type of fight offer. Pricing oneself out of a fight is the oldest dodge in the fight game.

Every time two women enter the ring in an anticipated fight and the fans enjoy what they see we are all winners and perhaps Ms. Dierdorff should get over herself and show us how formidable she is by stepping through the ropes instead of trying to convince us with a lot of empty rhetoric. If Ms. Dierdorff wants the fight send an email to cityboxing@telus.net or call the promoter. We have other possible fights and they are being pursued. As for Ms. Dierdorffs accomplishments and her title, this is what got her first refusal for the fight and that is what it is worth in reality. A little talk is good for some promotion however now it is time to fight. [WBAN received this response on May 28th]