Andre Dirrell splits from 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, schedules comeback Aug. 1 on ESPN2

[Krazy]

FLINT, MI – Andre Dirrell's time away from boxing was best summed up in three words.

"It was hell," he made clear.

Going from being considered as one of the top super middleweight prospects in boxing to fading into obscurity for these past few years was more than frustrating. At times, the Flint native would watch guys in the super middleweight division claim titles and he would feel like an average Joe sitting around.

Lately, Dirrell is as happy as he's been in a long time while training for his comeback bout scheduled for Aug. 1 at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, Wash. on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.

Renan St-Juste was originally set to be his opponent but he backed out at the last minute due to a foot injury so the Dirrell camp is searching for another opponent to fill in the slot but the fight will still happen, Dirrell confirmed.

He's fought only three fights in the past four years and his last bout was over a year ago versus Michael Gbenga on Feb. 12, 2012, when he won a unanimous decision.

"Some days, I would look up and then I'd be at a standstill but all the while all I could do was pretty much train," Dirrell explained. "The motivation was there for the most part, but it would be a lot of times where I didn't even feel like going to the gym because all hope seemed like it was lost. The only thing that kept me going was working out, that kept me sane being in the gym."

Dirrell (21-1, 14 KO's) is back working with one of the most powerful names in boxing again, Al Hayman, after leaving the power broker in 2012. Hayman, who is best known for advising Floyd Mayweather, helped Dirrell get out of his deal with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Promotions.

Already 30 years old, with his prime years in his rear view, Dirrell grew tired of waiting on 50 Cent's company to take off.

He needed to make a move fast.

"We didn't end on bad terms," Dirrell said. "I always kept a respectful tone with him but the main thing is that my situation was a little too unique with 50 Cent, especially the way he worked his way into the game he made it pretty much hard on himself.

"I believe he was pretty much being blackballed and the problems that 50 Cent is having trying to get in the game, I pretty much didn't have time for it," he added.

"I'm trying to get back on my feet as well, so I decided to part ways that way and I did it in a way to stay on good terms."

This next match isn't viewed as a walkover match for Dirrell. His camp is trying to pick someone who poses a stiff challenge.

"I'm ready to get back in the groove of things real fast and get back in the top rankings," Dirrell said. "What this did was helped me realize how much this sport means to me and also to respect the sport, so I've become a better fighter mentally outside of the ring and I have a better understanding for the sport since I've been out.

"I have no regrets."

http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2014/07/andre_dirrell_splits_from_50_c.html

 

[RebelX]

"We didn't end on bad terms," Dirrell said. "I always kept a respectful tone with him but the main thing is that my situation was a little too unique with 50 Cent, especially the way he worked his way into the game he made it pretty much hard on himself.

"I believe he was pretty much being blackballed and the problems that 50 Cent is having trying to get in the game, I pretty much didn't have time for it," he added.

 

[Big Boss]

 

[Brock Landers]

50 getting blackballed makes sense, why risk slicing the pie a little more with a new guy when the big players already have their pieces

 

[Slaimon Khan Shah]

May Allah guide Dirrell to Islam.

 

[Big Boss]

May Allah guide Dirrell to Islam.

 

[Jesus Is Lord]

http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2014/07/andre_dirrell_splits_from_50_c.html

Pos rep on the Ninja Man avi, big ups brethren.

50 getting blackballed was enevitable, especially since his his fall out with Floyd, that Mayweather money is long.

 

[Big Boss]

Pos rep on the Ninja Man avi, big ups brethren.

50 getting blackballed was enevitable, especially since his his fall out with Floyd, that Mayweather money is long.

the dude in yo avi said this 2 years ago

 

[RebelX]

Pos rep on the Ninja Man avi, big ups brethren.

50 getting blackballed was enevitable, especially since his his fall out with Floyd, that Mayweather money is long.

50 being blackballed has nothing to do with Mayweather. It's the 2 or 3 promo companies that have been running boxing for last couple decades that are not willing to let anyone else in.

 

[Ego Noir]

50 being blackballed has nothing to do with Mayweather. It's the 2 or 3 promo companies that have been running boxing for last couple decades that are not willing to let anyone else in.

bottom line 50 needed the Mayweather name to even think about having a chance. But on the Mayweather side that has potential to fukk up his money in the short run, and that $70MM+ per fight is way too attractive.

I personally think SMS is going to fade into club fight promotional status.


@CashmereThoughts thoughts?

 

[CashmereThoughts]

bottom line 50 needed the Mayweather name to even think about having a chance. But on the Mayweather side that has potential to fukk up his money in the short run, and that $70MM+ per fight is way too attractive.

I personally think SMS is going to fade into club fight promotional status.


@CashmereThoughts thoughts?

I been said that TR and GB not gonna let SMS eat ouchea.

It's already fading, gamboa not panning out like people thought he would dirrell outta here and I don't see anyone else with a name signing with a company that can't make big fights. I'm on the inside, the work is being put in to build the brand but the entire sport is controlled by 2 entities. And these entities have showtime, hbo, and all the fighters worth everything in pocket.

 

[Leonard Washington]

the dude in yo avi said this 2 years ago

Bruh I can listen to Iron Mike kick knowledge anytime

 

[Big Boss]

bottom line 50 needed the Mayweather name to even think about having a chance. But on the Mayweather side that has potential to fukk up his money in the short run, and that $70MM+ per fight is way too attractive.

I personally think SMS is going to fade into club fight promotional status.


@CashmereThoughts thoughts?

Yea 50 never wanted to go in boxing promotions alone.