SEARCH NEWS:

 

IBF Scandal May KO Promoters' Licenses

"…the testimony of promoters such as Bob Arum and Cedric Kushner, each involving $100,000 payoffs, is already under scrutiny by officials in New Jersey, Nevada, California, and New York.

"…The other big promoter in the case, Main Events Inc. of Totowa, believes it will escape discipline because it jettisoned President Dino Duva, who testified that he funneled $25,000 to Lee so the IBF would follow its rules and rank one of his fighters as the top junior middleweight contender in 1998.

"…No promoters are on trial. They are licensed on a state-by-state basis, where regulations generally say unsavory activity linked to boxing can be grounds for revocation of a license.

"`I'm certainly monitoring,' said Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission. `"We are getting our transcripts, and observing from afar.'

"…Penalties against a promoter could leave marquee fighters looking for a new home. King's stable includes Evander Holyfield, while Arum has Oscar De La Hoya, Kushner has Shane Mosley, and Lennox Lewis fights for Main Events.

"Lee and other IBF officials are accused of taking $338,000 in a span of more than a decade in exchange for favors and rigged rankings.

"Promoters testifying against Lee, including Arum of Top Rank Inc. of Las Vegas and Kushner of Cedric Kushner Productions of New York, have said payoffs were required to do business with the IBF, based in East Orange.

"…Kushner also said he made cash payoffs to the IBF three to four times a year from 1987 through 1994, in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, to ensure good treatment…"

< Gaming News