Tevin Farmer says “Somebody dropped the ball”
Former IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin “American Idol” Farmer (30-5-1, 6ko) has not fought since losing the title to Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz (31-1, 15ko) in January 2020. Furthermore, the Philadelphia boxer has been waiting on his rematch with Diaz, but now seems to be a victim of COVID-19, and he believes someone on his team dropped the ball.
DETERMINED THROUGH THE STRUGGLE
Farmer has openly admitted the beginning of his career was on the job training, after not having much of an amateur career. He went 7-4-1 in his first twelve fights, including a bad technical knockout to then-undefeated prospect Jose Pedraza back in 2012. Now, after such a roller-coaster start, most fighters would stop fighting and find another line of work. However, the American Idol went back to the drawing board and went on an eight-year winning streak that included a coming-out party victory over rising prospect Ivan Redkach in 2016.
Farmer was rolling and was awarded the opportunity to fight for the vacate IBF championship, and despite his excellent performance, the judges ruled in favor of his opponent, Japanese fighter Kenichi Ogawa. Once it was discovered the Japanese fighter tested positive for a banned substance, the fight was quickly overturned to a ‘no contest, and the Philadelphia fighter seized on the second opportunity by defeating Billy Dib to fulfill his dream of becoming a champion.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REMATCH
Farmer made four successful title defenses before losing to the former featherweight title contender Diaz in 2020. The former champion was adamant about getting the title back in hopes of a rematch. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic killed the rematch from taking place.
During an interview with 3kingsboxing.com, Farmer went into deep detail as to what happened with the rematch and who was at fault.
“Well, the rematch clause was supposed to have taken place five months after the fight. So, to make a long story short, COVID happened, so, therefore, nobody was having fights. They (Team Diaz) is trying to say the rematch expired because we didn’t fight, but the reality is we couldn’t fight.”
“Number two, he (Diaz) had a big cut on his face, and the doctor said he had to sit out regardless. So either way, he still couldn’t have fought.”
“It’s a lot of BS. I got fucked around, I got fucked over, I don’t know by who, but I got fucked over. It is what it is, it’s a dirty business, it’s some dirty people in it, and I’m not tripping.”
The former world champion let loose when asked if he believes someone dropped the ball.
“Somebody dropped the ball. I don’t know who. If I knew, I would definitely say it. I don’t care, but somebody dropped the ball somewhere in between. The rematch didn’t happen, and it was supposed to happen!”
The former champion also told 3kingsboxinghe hopes to be fighting in a title eliminator in his return fight, and a victory will put him right back on track to regain the championship.
By: Garrisson Bland
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