Christina Linardatou's camp have expressed their frustration at the lack of a re-match clause ahead of her WBO super-lightweight title defence against Katie Taylor in Manchester on November 2nd.
Unified lightweight champion Taylor is stepping up to 140-pounds for the bout at the Manchester Arena where she's aiming to become a two-weight world champion by overcoming Linardatou.
At the press conference to confirm the bout this afternoon, the Greek fighter's camp fumed at not having an assured re-match clause should Taylor win.
"When you see your fighter get off an aeroplane in tears, and I know it's really light-hearted in here, I'm sorry to bring the energy down," said Linardatou's promoter Brian Cohen.
"She's not happy, she's a champion, and like you said, we were negotiating for quite some time and she just feels as the champion that she should have a rematch clause in the contract."
Taylor's promoter Eddie Hearn interjected by asking: "You're that worried about losing already?"
Before Cohen again expressed his belief that Taylor has preferential terms going into the fight.
"You have a rematch clause if she beats her, but not if Taylor beats Linardatou, right? Are you worried? No, so why do you not put the rematch in?"
Hearn replied: "We're not worried, we've got one."
Linardatou said she expected to be afforded the same re-match clause but says she's not afraid of defeat.
"We've been expecting this match for a long time, but under different conditions or circumstances, but at any rate, I'll go ahead with this match."
"I don't have any problem, I'm not afraid of losing my belt. I'm just getting in the ring and give all my best, and this is what I'm going to do always, so I'm here."
