Finkelchtein addresses Boon’s accusations
Dutch manager Bas Boon took to the Internet with an open letter that accused M-1 Global of ties to organized…
Dutch manager Bas Boon took to the Internet with an open letter that accused M-1 Global of ties to organized crime, death threats, and patently avoiding a fight for its chief client, Fedor Emelianenko. Below M-1 Global head Vadim Finkelchtein responds via MMAjunkie.com .
“What most displeases me about the open letter are the comments that accuse me of being a part of the Russian mafia.My working life started at the age of 14, which at that time – and it’s still that way – you weren’t officially allowed to start working at the age of 14. But my mother died when I was young, and I had to work.”
“I’ve held several MMA events in Russia, and government ministers come to the events. Olympic champions, members of Moscow’s government, they have all been present at these events. If I had any connections whatsoever to the mafia or any illegal businesses, these people would never, ever turn up to any of my events. They wouldn’t communicate with me. But as it is, we’re good friends.”
“The fact that these people turn up, it means a lot for M-1 Global, and it means a lot for me to show who I am and what my standing is in the Russian community.”
“I have no idea what Bas is talking about. To me, it sounds like a children’s story. It sounds like something that you’d get between kids in a sandpit when there’s an argument, and someone else threatens to bring his big brother and come and beat the other up. This is particularly childish and ridiculous.”
“I would like to offer my apologies to Alistair. Those comments were made in a private conversation that had nothing to do with journalism and were never meant for public consumption. I would never accuse Alistair of anything or call him any names. I respect him as a fighter and as a person.”
“I am very disappointed and surprised and annoyed and unhappy with the rubbish that has been disseminating. I think this is a very poor way to try and promote a potential fight between Alistair Overeem and Fedor. Bas is doing what should be the job of a promoter.”
“Bas is essentially insane. He’s out of his mind. What would be the point of taking him to court? Is there any chance that legal action would get him locked up with the criminally insane? Probably not.”
