Because the fans have spoken and there is no more must-happen fight than Tim Sylvia vs Wes Sims. Sure the Ohio State Athletic Commission said it wasn't competitive and wouldn't allow it to take place in their jurisdiction. But that won't stop a creative management team like Monte Cox.
He's venue shopped before when a narrow-minded commission in New Jersey stood between the fans and Tim Sylvia vs Ray Mercer. Fortunately Alabama had not yet regulated MMA and so Cox was able to give true sports fans the contest that they demanded. And of course, the fans were the true winners in that fight -- now regarded as a YouTube classic (684,000 views and counting) along the lines of Epic Beard Man, except the senior citizen who wins the fight is black.
To be fair, Cox did attempt to book Sylvia vs Brandon Lee Hinkle, but Hinkle had to drop out.
So now Saint John, New Brunswick Canada will play host to Sylvia vs Sims 2 -- a fight that will no doubt be regarded by future generations as our generation's Ali-Frazier 2:
The International Fighting Confederation's world super heavyweight title fight will be the main event of a 10-bout card coming to the Port City, tentatively scheduled for June 5.
Tim Sylvia, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion, will battle mixed martial artist Wes Sims for the IFC world title under the lights at Harbour Station.
"This is the first time we'll experience superstars of this level in Atlantic Canada," said Jack Livingston of SRO Entertainment Ltd., the event's promoter.
"It's never been done before and people can't believe it's coming."
Tim Sylvia is, of course, a popular fan favorite, but for those in the know, his management is regarded just as highly.