WA gets Danny Green fight for $185,000

Danny Green is bringing his world boxing title defence against Manny Siaca from Sydney to his hometown of Perth after the Western Australian government agreed to provide backing to the tune of $185,000.

WA Premier Colin Barnett announced Mr Green will put his IBO title on the line against Puerto Rican Siaca at Perth's Challenge Stadium on April 18.

The fight was originally set down for the Sydney Entertainment Centre on April 14.

The move comes with the state government eager to snare any future Green v Anthony Mundine re-match.

Mr Barnett was widely criticised after refusing government support that could have taken Green's recent successful title defence against legendary Roy Jones Junior to Perth instead of Sydney where it was held.

Mr Barnett said the announcement would provide an opportunity for Danny Green to fight in front of his home town fans while providing international media coverage through Pay TV. 

"Danny Green is a proud Western Australian and I believe our investment to promote a Perth-based international sportsman who is passionate about Western Australia and Perth and uses every opportunity to promote it is a sound one," Mr Barnett said. 

Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron refused to acknowledge the government had made a mistake in failing to secure the Green-Jones fight and said the bout with Siaca was "a great opportunity" for Perth.

"The last fight was in Sydney and that's been and gone," Waldron told Fairfax Radio.

"There were some misunderstandings. That was unfortunate.

"The great thing about gaining this fight here is that it puts us in a good position to perhaps get the fight - and I'm sure it will happen - between Anthony Green and Anthony Mundine.

"Manny Siaca is the man that beat Mundine back in 2003."

Mr Waldron said the Department of Sport and Recreation was working with Eventscorp on the delivery of the event. 

"Danny and his management team met with me last week following some informal discussions and I am today pleased to announce that the state government will be backing the Green Machine to fight in Perth," he said. 

Mr Waldron said the government would be sponsoring the title bout through venue provision, venue advertising and security at Challenge Stadium. 

"The Government will be providing a total of $185,000 through a combination of meeting the cost of venue hire and security with further payments benchmarked on Pay TV event audience and signage at pre-fight, fight and post-fight media," he said. 

Danny Green said it was a great opportunity and he was looking forward to defending his world title in front of his home crowd. 

"I am rapt the state government has thrown its support behind the defence of my World Title here in my home town of Perth," Mr Green said.

Challenge Stadium has hosted most of Green's fights since his professional career began in 2002.

Full state government announcement below:

Danny Green to fight for world title in Perth
Portfolio: Premier, Sport and Recreation

Danny Green will put his world title on the line in Perth following successful negotiations between the Liberal-National Government and Green Machine Boxing.

The world title fight against Puerto Rican boxer Manny Siaca to be held on April 18 was originally scheduled for Sydney but a deal has been brokered with Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron to hold the fight in Perth at Challenge Stadium. 

Challenge Stadium has been the home of Danny Green for the majority of his fights since his professional career took off in 2002. 

In December 2007, Danny Green fought and defeated Stipe Dews to claim the WBA Light Heavyweight title and in August 2009 he defeated Julio Cesar Dominguez for the vacant IBO Cruiserweight title. 

Premier Colin Barnett said the announcement would provide an opportunity for Danny Green to fight in front of his home town fans while providing international media coverage through Pay TV. 

"Danny Green is a proud Western Australian and I believe our investment to promote a Perth-based international sportsman who is passionate about Western Australia and Perth and uses every opportunity to promote it is a sound one," Mr Barnett said. 

Mr Waldron said the Department of Sport and Recreation was working with Eventscorp on the delivery of the event. 

"Danny and his management team met with me last week following some informal discussions and I am today pleased to announce that the State Government will be backing the Green Machine to fight in Perth," he said. 

Mr Waldron said the Government would be sponsoring the title bout through venue provision, venue advertising and security at Challenge Stadium. 

"The Government will be providing a total of $185,000 through a combination of meeting the cost of venue hire and security with further payments benchmarked on Pay TV event audience and signage at pre-fight, fight and post-fight media," he said. 

Danny Green said it was a great opportunity and he was looking forward to defending his world title in front of his home crowd. 

"I am rapt the State Government has thrown its support behind the defence of my World Title here in my home town of Perth," Mr Green said.