Indonesian Boxer Carlos Lopez Planning Law Suit Against Saba Qureshi, Promoter of Amir Khan vs Billy Dib

Lopez might sue Dubai’s Saba Qureshi of Super Boxing League (SBL) for backing away from signed contract.

Veteran Indonesian former Asian regional titlist Carlos Lopez (28-9, 9 KO’s) signed a formal written contract to fight a four-rounder against former world champion Billy Dib (45-5, 26 KO’s) this Friday, July 12, at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The original Billy Dib vs Carlos Lopez was confirmed as one of the undercard bouts in the main event battle featuring British star Amir Khan against unheralded Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat for the vacant WBC “Pearl” Welterweight title.

However, just a couple of weeks before battling Khan, Goyat got involved in a car accident, getting him totally out of the picture.

With tickets sold, a huge venue secured, invitations sent, VIP guests confirmed, a worldwide marketing campaign unfolding and a TV boxing show needing to be filled, a solution had to be found FAST.

Indeed it was found.

In the blink of an eye, smart promoters of Super Boxing League (of which Amir Khan is founder), decided to get Billy Dib (the super featherweight facing Indonesian Carlos Lopez in the undearcard), to instead battle Amir Khan (a welterweight) for the WBC International Welterweight title.

Given the circumstances, the solution was indeed brilliant (provided that this was not all planned in advance). It could not be better. It saved the show.

With the added-value that Billy Dib — a former 126 and 130 pound world champion — has BY FAR a better name than the unheard-of boxer Amir Khan was originally wanting to fight.

Everything sounds so fantastic.

But what about the contract that Dubai promoter Saba Qureshi, a director at Super Boxing League (SBL) signed with Indonesian boxer Carlos Lopez?

Well, this promotion company SBL has just dismissed, ignored snubbed and totally forget about Carlos Lopez.

“They (Dubai promoter Qureshi of SBL) opted to forget that I exist.

“Not even one word, not even one polite email,” says the much disappointed Indonesian boxer.

Indeed, disappointment is high because the 32-year-old Carlos Lopez   — born in tiny East Timor, a sovereign state in Maritime Southeast Asia — stopped his day work as amateur boxing coach in Kupang (Kupang is the capital of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara), to dedicate himself to sweat and train to be in shape for the golden chance of facing Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, Lopez passed with flying colors meticulous medical tests, which required brain scans (paid by him). In addition, he also got evaluated, approved and cleared to fight by the very strict Indonesian Boxing Commission.

But and the end of so much effort, not even a cellphone message.

In consequence, Carlos Lopez has filed a complain with the authorities of the Indonesian Boxing Commission against Dubai promoter Talent Director Saba Qureshi super Boxing league for USD 1,500 dollars.

Breakdown is like this: training $ 400 dollars, one-month leave from work $ 500 dollars, medical expenses to be submitted to IBC $ 600.

Furthermore, chairman Anthon Sihombing, head of the Indonesian Boxing Commission has written to promoter kindly requesting a response to the sad boxer Lopez. But to no avail.

Lopez is the only bread-earner in his home. He is a committed husband and father.    Boxing is a source of income to his impoverished family.

“According to contract, the purse I was supposed to get to fight Billy Dib was of $ 4,000 dollars.    But don’t care about purse anymore.

“What I want are my expenses to be reimbursed.

“If they (Qureshi and SBL) are people of honor and good people of boxing, they must refund me my expenses.   They were the ones who disrespected our contract, not me,” says Lopez.

“I just hope Saba Qureshi, a director at Super Boxing League (SBL) will reimburse me. Because it is the right thing to do, and becuse it is fair.”