By Eric Rineer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former world title challenger Daniel Attah is holding his promoter, Murad Muhammad, responsible for a nine-month layoff from the boxing ring.

“He doesn’t do anything,” said Attah of Muhammad, who is perhaps best known for promoting Roy Jones Jr.

“I have no job and my bills are piling up,” Attah said on Sunday. “I don’t care who I fight. I’m not scared of anybody.”

Attah, 22-3-1, hasn’t fought since winning an eight-round contest over James Baker in May 2004.

Attah was once a prospect in the super featherweight division. He challenged Acelino Freitas for the WBA and WBO titles in August 2002 but lost by decision.

Co-Manager Cleveland Burgess alleges that Muhammad “breached the contract” which “guaranteed four fights per year.”

Attah’s trainer, Mark Johnson, said Muhammad owes the fighter $2,500 for his last bout in May 2004.

“Daniel signed a contract for $5,000,” Johnson said. “He got half of that.”

Muhammad, however, said he wasn’t the promoter of the May 2004 bout.

“I had nothing to do with that last fight,” Muhammad said on Tuesday. “That wasn’t even my fight. I told Attah if he went in there and performed I would give him a $2,500 bonus. But he looked terrible.”

Muhammad said Attah turned down more than one fight recently.

“We had a fight scheduled for Attah for the 26th of February in Puerto Rico,” Muhammad said. “He backed out, wanted more money.”

“I never lost a fighter because I don’t produce fights,” Muhammad said. “Attah is not training. I offered Attah a fight in the Philippines when (Manny) Pacquiao fought in December. But he wasn’t ready.”

Johnson confirmed that Attah has been absent from the gym for the past month.

“The frustration comes from the fact he’s not fighting,” Burgess said. “We had a lot of good things from Murad in terms of fighting for a championship.

“The frustration comes from the promoter not fulfilling his obligation as of late,” Burgess said. We have not excelled since the Freitas fight. We are so frustrated. We were at a world-class level.”