Paris:
Finished with the Past Vernon Paris is finished with the past. The young welterweight that has largely been the boxer of note in Michigan over the past year is moving forward. And, leaving Detroit behind. Having moved last month to a small town near the base of Florida’s panhandle, Paris is healing well, after being stabbed repeatedly earlier in the month during a dispute involving neighbors in his apartment building, and preparing to resume his boxing career. “I’m feeling pretty good,” Paris told Sportssummary by phone from his mother’s home, where he is temporarily living with his large family and pregnant girlfriend. “My wounds have healed up.” Paris confirmed media reports that he has hired new managers and then took my phone number to have one of them contact me. Which one did, within minutes on Sunday night. Paris has new management in Florida to replace both his Detroit manager, David “Bing” Shumate, and his promoter, Carlos Llinas, for whom the young boxer – and his mother – appear to have few positive words to speak these days. Tallahassee, Florida businessman Jean-Christophe Courreges and former police officer Charles Gatlin will now co-manage the one-time prospect. One brings boxing experience to the job while the other brings a more personal commitment. Courreges promoted a few boxing shows ten years ago in Tallahassee, once managed former WBO and IBF heavyweight Henry Akinwande and is currently promoting shows for Europe’s version of ESPN called EuroSports. And Gatlin? He is Paris’ uncle. And as a former police officer he is probably armed so Detroiters intent on harming Paris – Beware. Gatlin’s answers to questions were short and he commented little on Paris’ legal challenges. He addressed, briefly, rumors that were circulating back here in Detroit and on comments made by Paris in published reports about his former management. “He’s bitter,” Gatlin simply says by way of explanation. “He’s getting through it.” He also suggests that Paris is young and in putting the past behind him, he will move past the bitterness and, perhaps someday, even have a relationship with his management team again. Two rumors are circulating about Paris currently: 1.
that he is training to fight in mixed martial arts (MMA), and Gatlin said he has heard the rumor of his contract being sold but since, he claims, Vernon has never received a copy of any contract he signed with Shumate or Llinas, Paris’ new managers are operating as if no contract exists. “If anybody feels like they got a contract with Vernon, they can bring it forward or we can settle it in court,” Gatlin told Sportssummary. While Gatlin had not heard the MMA rumor, he put it to rest stating adamantly that Paris would not be fighting in any mixed martial arts shows. Gatlin went out of his way to not criticize Paris’ Detroit handlers, saying he had not met any of them. In fact, he even offered a bit of praise. “Vernon didn’t get to be 19-0 by bad guys. At one time, these guys (Shumate, Llinas and, presumably, trainer David Lester) taught him what he’s learned.” But, the former law officer said, “Vernon is finished with the past.” In all respects. “Vernon trusts people too easily,” Gatlin says, adding “He’s too honest,” which is one reason he said he does not want his nephew giving interviews. The co-manager said both he and Paris have had telephone conversations with Llinas, who Gatlin described as not being happy to hear that Paris was ending their professional relationship. Concerning
Paris’ legal (well, regulatory) troubles back here in Michigan,
Gatlin appeared confident that the matters would be resolved in
the near future, although he offered few details beyond saying he
was hopeful that the young welterweight would be able to return
to the ring “in the future.” One gets a sense that Gatlin, who often answered questions with one word answers, making a productive interview difficult, may not fully grasp the entirety of Paris’ situation. He appeared not to comprehend that his nephew was facing a second and third charge by state officials and he had no knowledge of a scheduled July hearing date in Lansing until informed by Sportssummary. The man who described his role as handling the “day-to-day operations” for the prospect, was unaware of the possible penalties the fighter faces. After being told of them, he inquired where the information came from. “Is that word on the street?” Gatlin said that he doubts that any lawyer in Michigan is acting on Paris’ behalf with Michigan authorities currently because “nobody is paying for it.” That could explain a feeling that one gets from Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) officials that communication between them and Paris’ people has been difficult lately. Getting a New Handle on his Life While the young fighter waits to return to the sport he loves, Gatlin said, he knows now that there is more to life than boxing. Paris is “getting a new handle on his life,” Gatlin said. Having dropped out of high school, Paris wants to get his GED and has already started the process. “Boxing is second right now,” Gatlin offers. What is first? “First is getting his life together,” Gatlin said. The 20-year old fighter, who has survived both a shooting and a stabbing intended to rob him of his young life, believes there are still people out to get him. “Vernon thinks people are looking for him all the time,” the former police officer turned manager said. But he is safe, surrounded by family who seem intent on protecting him. Paris is not considering any other career choice, according to Gatlin, who insists Paris intends to make boxing his vocation. “Vernon
is still very excited about boxing, but he’s convinced now
that there are other things in life besides boxing and that’s
what he is beginning to work on,” Gatlin said. “Boxing
is second right now. First, is to get his life together.” |