Boxer Michael Moorer sued by grandfather

Web posted October 24, 1997

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- Henry Smith taught his grandson, heavyweight boxer Michael Moorer, to fight. Now he wants a cut of his winnings, according to a lawsuit.

Smith claims he signed an exclusive contract with Moorer on May 20, 1986, to serve as his trainer and coach. In return, he was supposed to get 25 percent of Moorer's earnings, the lawsuit said.

``He got some payments from Michael, but they were very spotty. They weren't regular payments like the contract called for,'' said Smith's attorney, Richard DiSalle.

``And they weren't telling (Smith) when Michael was fighting or where,'' DiSalle said. ``They weren't asking him to attend training sessions. They cut him out of the loop, for all practical purposes.''

Michael Marley, a spokesman for Moorer, said he could not comment on the lawsuit and referred questions to the fighter's manager, John Davimos, who did not return a message seeking comment.

Smith also declined to comment Thursday.

Moorer, who holds the IBF title, is scheduled to fight Evander Holyfield, who has the WBA title, Nov. 8 in Las Vegas.

Smith, a former boxer, had raised Moorer from childhood and had been his coach since he put on his first pair of boxing gloves at 13.

On Jan. 9, 1988, Moorer entered into another agreement with JEB Enterprises Inc. of Boynton Beach, Fla., and trainer Emanuel Steward of Detroit. Under that agreement, JEB and Steward were to receive 50 percent of Moorer's earnings.

That agreement subsequently was amended to pay Smith 10 percent of Moorer's earnings to act as a trainer.

The lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court, also claims that the 1988 agreement is void and that Smith is entitled to 25 percent of Moorer's earnings, as called for in the 1986 contract.

``Since he's cut out of the loop, there's no way to know what the proceeds of (Moorer's) fights were, in addition to any endorsements, publicity fees or personal appearances,'' DiSalle said.