Although no one really thought it was a good idea to begin with, people were disappointed to learn that the Boxing Match between DMX and George Zimmerman has been cancelled. The promoter, Damon Feldman, announced via twitter:
"This was the wrong person to put in the ring and define celebrity boxing thank you," he said. "I walked away from av [sic] million dollar payday with this fight but to be honest I'd rather be happy and make people happy thank you."
He continued to express that he wanted nothing to do with the fight and apologized for it, saying:
"I wasn't being disrespected [sic] to anyone I had a plan here with this fight I'll let you know soon hope everyone is happy I'm very sorry," he tweeted. "I want to thank everyone for the good n [sic] bad comments I've made the choice to cancel the fight w George Zimmermann [sic] more to life then [sic] money."
Well, this certainly seems to be a rather sudden change of heart. Perhaps the (understandable) backlash for the event proved to be too much a burden, even considering the money to be made here.
Nevertheless, many who found the very idea of the match morally offensive - making a spectacle out of a very serious, very upsetting issue for profit - will rest a little easier knowing that the match will no longer take place.
Do you regret not being able to see DMX in the ring with George Zimmerman?
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[UPDATE: Promoter For The George Zimmerman/DMX Fight Says It's Not Cancelled]
It appears as though the promoter behind the George Zimmerman and DMX boxing match was a little hasty in making his announcement this past weekend. There has been plenty of news surrounding the potential boxing match between X and Zimmerman, first it appeared as though the fight would be on for certain, and then it was revealed that contracts were still in the negotiation stages. Then, on Saturday, promoter Damon Feldman decided to announce the fight's cancellation.
Feldman has now back-tracked on his comments, and saying that the fight is not cancelled. He explained that he was tweeting about the cancellation during an "emotional" time.
"I sent those tweets because I went through an emotional situation. I looked at my kids and I got emotional. I didn’t sleep for three days because I’m trying to figure out how this thing happened. As of right now, the fight is not cancelled," Feldman said.
He continued to say he'd been in meetings all day on Sunday to figure things out, "Right now we’re in meetings as we talk. It all happened so fast; It became a worldwide story. I honestly didn’t know it would go as far as the White House and me being threatened. Zimmerman still wants to fight but I’m trying to find out what direction to go in. I have a plan, though."
He continued to say that if he backed down from doing the fight, someone else would surely come along and plan it in his stead. "This is a life altering thing for me career wise. If I didn’t do this and I did call it off, who’s gonna take care of my kids and family? If I couldn’t do this, who’s gonna put food on my table? I understand the blood money thing, but if I don’t do this, someone else will."
Feldman also clarified with The Source that this would NOT be charity event-- the participants in the fight would be compensated, however, if they chose to offer their pay out to charity, that would be on them.
In addition, Feldman states that if DMX decides to pull out, he's in talks with other hip-hop notables, including Game.