Operation Cleanup 2: Unfinished Business

Operation Cleanup 2 is the second of Charles Jay's groundbreaking 2 part series on boxing reform. In his second electronic book, Jay provides the reader with insights into the boxing industry that cannot be found anywhere else. A must read for the serious boxing fan, as well as anybody working in the boxing industry.

Charles Jay
HELLO AGAIN   [Dec 17, 2002]
The Intro OK, where were we? You know, it really astounds me that there are some people out there who are pulling down upwards of $75,000 a year for implementing the regulation of boxing, carrying an obligation toward taxpayers, who have not read one word of "Operation Cleanup". I...  More ...

Charles Jay
WHY SHOULD FANS CARE?   [Dec 17, 2002]
The 1st Round I start things off this way because it's something I hear a lot - what does this have to do with boxing from the fan's standpoint? In other words, all this boxing reform talk - isn't it just geared toward the boxing "insider"? After all, you look at a guy who simply...  More ...

Charles Jay
NEWS ITEM FOR MAX - NABF IS AT IT AGAIN   [Dec 17, 2002]
The 2nd Round The notorious North American Boxing Federation, which was exposed for its corrupt ratings practices, blatant favoritism toward selected promoters, and violations of the Professional Boxer Safety Act and Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act in "Operation Cleanup", is at it again....  More ...

Charles Jay
NEW YORK STEPS FORWARD - MAYBE   [Dec 17, 2002]
The 3rd Round If you're familiar with what I do, you know I've rambled on and on questioning the feasibility of putting people with little or no knowledge of boxing in positions where they are actually regulating the sport. Well, the New York State Athletic Commission has just...  More ...

Charles Jay
SOME GOOD ADVICE ABOUT "ADVISORS"   [Dec 18, 2002]
The 4th Round I've been around boxing in one capacity or another since 1981. And during that entire period, one thing has been a constant - there is an prevailing attitude among people in this business to make money off a fighter, without the fighter knowing it, wherever possible. It's...  More ...

Charles Jay
ESPN'S STRATEGIC PARTNER CENSORS THE PRESS - WITH SOME DEGREE OF SUCCESS   [Dec 19, 2002]
The 5th Round  We've recently learned something very interesting - that ESPN's strategic partner, Bjorn Rebney of Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing, has pro-actively made an attempt to jeopardize the employment of a Buffalo News writer who has, in the recent past, seen fit to criticize his...  More ...

Charles Jay
Q: IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?
A: YES, BUT NOT THE RIGHT KIND   [Dec 22, 2002]
The 6th Round A couple of months ago I got this letter from a Dr. Michael Schwartz, who represents something called the "American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians". The good doctor, who apparently was miffed that we had not devoted a chapter, or two, or three, in our...  More ...

Charles Jay
A MANAGEMENT CRISIS   [Dec 23, 2002]
The 7th Round You know, we've heard so much claptrap from John McCain & Co. about the possible conflicts of interest that exist when the same entity is promoting both contestants in a fight. It's a conflict of interest that arguably doesn't even exist, but it's a barb directed toward...  More ...

Charles Jay
FOR ONE MAN, IT'S NOT A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS   [Dec 24, 2002]
The 8th Round This wasn't a very merry Christmas for Greg Page. The former WBA heavyweight champion is still, for the most part, confined to a wheelchair, slurs his speech, and requires extensive physical therapy three times a week. He had received a token amount of financial assistance...  More ...

Charles Jay
"OUTSIDE THE LINES" WON'T CROSS THE LINE - ESPN KILLS STORIES ON BOXING REFORM   [Dec 25, 2002]
The 9th Round ESPN had an opportunity, quite some time ago, to put forth a meaningful statement that would have told me they were sincere - truly sincere - about addressing an issue such as the proper reform of boxing. Needless to say, the network failed that test, tucking its tail...  More ...

Charles Jay
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT   [Dec 26, 2002]
The 10th Round The following letter was sent to the membership of the Association of Boxing Commissions by its president, Tim Luckenenhoff, on November 14, 2002: I fully expect this to show up in the Charles Jay File (totalaction.com), that is why I am writing to the entire...  More ...

Charles Jay
ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS IN BOXING? HARDLY   [Dec 29, 2002]
The 11th Round This one is for those guys who don't know any better. The guys in boxing who think they can bullshit their way through life; those who want to play the big shot, but who just don't understand what it means to run a clean, reputable, efficient operation. Maybe the message...  More ...

Charles Jay
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS   [Dec 31, 2002]
The 12th Round Just so we're clear on everything, during the year 2003 I resolve to: * Help Greg Page in any way I can to achieve justice over the state of Kentucky and the evil Kentucky Athletic Commission. * Discredit the efforts of the Association of Boxing Commissions until such...  More ...

Charles Jay
DON KING BOULEVARD?   [Jan 3, 2002]
The 13th Round  The recent proposal on the part of an Atlantic City councilman to name a street after promoter Don King was met with a firestorm of opposition, to the point where it was summarily rejected by the rest of the city council. I say - bravo! But not because King isn't...  More ...

Charles Jay
IN DEFENSE OF BOXING   [Jan 3, 2002]
The 14th Round Along the way, I certainly figured that if I was going to cover the subject of boxing reform, it was necessary to address the concept of boxing safety, and the inherent dangers involved when two fighters get into the ring with each other. But more than anything, I want to...  More ...

Charles Jay
SOME LEARN THEIR LESSONS; SOME DON'T   [Jan 4, 2002]
The 15th Round Q: How does a little story all of a sudden become a big story? For the answer, kindly read on. When I originally published an installment in the first "Operation Cleanup" book about promoter Chris Webb writing a check to NABA junior middleweight champion Travis Simms...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSUMERS: Should commissions be in the matchmaking business?   [Jan 6, 2003]
The 16th Round One of the major complaints on the part of promoters and matchmakers during the normal day-to-day course of putting on boxing shows is that commissions are often somewhat over-officious when it comes to taking the matter of approving or disapproving specific matches into...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSUMERS: So you want "hands-off"?   [Jan 7, 2003]
The 17th Round I get a surprising amount of feedback from people within the boxing industry who believe that it is not a commission's job at all to exercise authority in the area of approving matches that take place on shows within their jurisdictions. A common quote I hear is, "If...  More ...

Charles Jay
WHO SHOULD TRAINERS BE WORKING FOR?   [Jan 11, 2003]
The 18th Round Just recently, trainer Buddy McGirt signed a contract to work for Main Events, under a set of parameters which, in the words of the press release, "allows McGirt to train non-Main Events promoted boxers, but only if given clearance by Main Events", indicating there is at...  More ...

Charles Jay
MAJOR OR MINOR - IT'S STILL A SANCTIONING BODY   [Jan 13, 2003]
The 19th Round People often complain that we're wallowing in far too much alphabet soup. OK - I'll buy that. But you've got to keep in mind that there's a major difference between various kinds of sanctioning bodies. I'm not talking about it in terms of credibility (that's another issue),...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE INSTANT SANCTIONING BODY   [Jan 17, 2003]
The 20th Round Hey - would you like to be a mover and shaker in the world of boxing? Controlling world ratings? Pulling the strings on world championship fights? "Continental" championship fights? "Americas" championship fights? Or, if you really want to get fancy, "Continental Americas"...  More ...

Charles Jay
IF YOU'RE THINKING 'CLEANUP', REMEMBER ALAMO   [Jan 20, 2003]
The 21st Round I normally don't like to disparage Nevada - they usually get things right, and are constantly under tremendous pressure to do so, since more high-profile fights in the U.S. happen there than anyone else. But there's one place where they've missed the boat entirely....  More ...

Charles Jay
PANDORA AIN'T NO LIGHTWEIGHT   [Jan 26, 2003]
The 22nd Round For those of you who don't understand what it means to open a "Pandora's Box", I hope you won't mind if I bring up the following hypotheticals: Let's suppose I'm the type of guy............. ......Who has always wondered why, after having been involved in a low blow...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE ENSIGN FACTOR   [Jan 28, 2003]
The 23rd Round There is no question that the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas has a major stake in the boxing industry, simply by virtue of the fact that it puts up major money in order to host major boxing shows. Given that fact, would it really surprise anyone that the...  More ...

Charles Jay
SOMETIMES, BOXING AND BETTING JUST DON'T MIX   [Jan 31, 2003]
The 24th Round If I told you that Don King or Bob Arum were not only in the business of promoting fights, but also in the business of TAKING BETS on those very same fights, it would certainly raise a few eyebrows on the part of consumers, wouldn't it? After all, King and Arum would seem...  More ...

Charles Jay
THIS GUY FOR CZAR? HARDY-HAR-HAR!   [Feb 2, 2003]
The 25th Round This coming Wednesday in Washington, DC, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is going to be holding another one of those hearings designed to promote Senator John McCain's "Professional Boxing Amendments Act", which he hopes to get passed by...  More ...

Charles Jay
"ARE YOU NOW, OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, A COMMISSIONER?"   [Feb 4, 2003]
The 26th Round If you're a reader of the "Operation Cleanup" series, it's quite possible thatyou'll be tuned into C-SPAN this morning when the Senate Committee on Commerce, Scienceand Transportation holds its latest hearing ostensibly "exploring boxingreform". Those people who are "in the...  More ...

Charles Jay
UH, FELLAS, COULD I HAVE A MINUTE?   [Feb 4, 2003]
The 27th Round Well, let's say I was in that Senate meeting room today. This is what I might have to say: I shall only make a short statement, since covering the issues that are critical, andwhich have not been addressed in the legislation you are holding in your back pocketstoday,...  More ...

Charles Jay
CASINOS NEED A VOICE - ALL CASINOS, THAT IS   [Feb 5, 2003]
The 28th Round Over the last week or so, I've spoken with enough people to know that the other casinointerests in Las Vegas are not exactly happy with the presence of Tony Alamo Jr. (son ofMandalay Bay's Tony Alamo Sr.) on the state athletic commission. Not that they're thinkingabout it...  More ...

Charles Jay
A REBUTTAL FROM SOMEONE WHO IS DECIDEDLY NOT 'ANTI-NEVADA'   [Feb 6, 2003]
The 29th Round Last week Teddy Atlas did a good job of reading our January 21 story (21st Round - IFYOU'RE THINKING "CLEANUP", REMEMBER ALAMO) to his audience on ESPN2. Today I'm absolutely delighted to be able to provide Mr. Atlas with more material for his editorial commentary, if he...  More ...

Charles Jay
SENATOR JOHN McCAIN RESPONDS TO "OPERATION CLEANUP"   [Feb 7, 2003]
The 30th Round A lot has happened in the last seven days or so. Among other things, you've got guys fromESPN referring to my stories (without accreditation, of course), putting additionalpressure on the Mandalay Bay and Tony Alamo Jr. after we got the ball rolling. You've gotGreg Sirb...  More ...

Charles Jay
WHATEVER THE REASON, WE'RE GLAD KERNS IS GONE   [Feb 11, 2003]
The 31st Round The Association of Boxing Commissions strengthened itself considerably in the last week,though it wasn't a result of anything it did pro-actively. One of its board members, Kentucky Athletic Commission chairman Jack Kerns, a man who has consciously put the livesof fighters...  More ...

Charles Jay
A HANDFUL OF SAND   [Feb 13, 2003]
The 32nd Round A few letters. A lot of criticism. A little "cease-and-desist" action. I guessthat's what Teddy Atlas gets for straying from the script. When Atlas was more or less taking his major ideas from Rounds 21 and 22 of"Operation Cleanup 2" - concerning appearances of conflict...  More ...

Charles Jay
DOING THE TENNESSEE WALTZ   [Feb 20, 2003]
The 33rd Round As I write this, it looks as if Mike Tyson and Clifford Etienne will indeed tangleSaturday night. For a little while there, it looked like they weren't. During that period of time, Tommy Patrick, who heads up what passes for a commission inthe state of Tennessee, was...  More ...

Charles Jay
WILL THIS BE ALAMO COUNTRY?   [Feb 20, 2003]
The 34th Round Apparently not content merely with being the vice-chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Tony Alamo Jr. may now have designs on "higher office", so to speak. Alamo Jr., who we've covered extensively in previous chapters of "Operation Cleanup2" may launch a run...  More ...

Charles Jay
SENATOR REID, LET ME DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO..........   [Feb 23, 2003]
The 35th Round Amongst all the pre-fight hype for the Mike Tyson fight this past week, this press release, issued by Senator Harry Reid, caught my attention: REID SAYS SPORT OF BOXING TO SUFFER "BLACK EYE" IF TYSON PERMITTED TO FIGHT Wednesday, February 19, 2003 Washington, D.C....  More ...

Charles Jay
BOXING WRITERS CONFIRM - PROMOTER OR MANAGER, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER   [Feb 24, 2003]
The 36th Round I have no particular problem with Norman Stone sharing the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) award for Manager of the Year. But I do have a little difficulty with the co-recipient of that award, who, as it turns out, is Klaus-Peter Kohl of Germany, who handles...  More ...

Charles Jay
LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES - POLITICS AND BOXING MIX LIKE VODKA AND ORANGE JUICE   [Feb 26, 2003]
The 37th Round In case you haven't seen the letter Senator John McCain wrote to Nevada governor Kenny Guinn several days ago, let me reproduce that for you: Dear Governor Guinn, I am writing to express my concern regarding recent conflict-of-interest allegations involving Nevada...  More ...

Charles Jay
AND THE ANSWER IS.........   [Feb 26, 2003]
 The 38th Round I like to play games. And one of those games is "Jeopardy" (the home version). I'm usually the contestant, but today, if you don't mind, I'd like to take the role of the host, Alex Trebek. Are we ready to play? Okay, let's go. So you say you'll take "Boxing...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED A coming attraction   [Mar 3, 2003]
The 39th Round I have been doing investigative pieces of one kind or another since about 1986. Since then I have encountered many instances of injustice, neglect, greed, stupidity and corruption that cried out to be addressed. Indeed, I have tried to address as many of them as I possibly...  More ...

Charles Jay
NOT ENOUGH 'AUTHORITY' TO GO AROUND   [Mar 5, 2003]
The 40th Round Wasn't that kind of a silly presentation during the exchange between Teddy Atlas and Nevada deputy attorney general Keith Kizer on ESPN2 last Friday night? It just goes to show you that what started out on these pages as a legitimate issue for discussion; an academic...  More ...

Charles Jay
NOT YOUR EVERYDAY 'DEAR JOHN' LETTER   [Mar 6, 2003]
The 41st Round Since no one has done this yet, at least to our knowledge, despite the fact that there have been several references to it on television and in print, we figured we'd reproduce the letter Senator Harry Reid sent to John McCain, relative to the Nevada Commission controversy,...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 1 - I'VE GOT GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, AND TRAGIC NEWS   [Mar 10, 2003]
The 42nd Round Maybe this is the perfect way to start things off. Because it demonstrates clearly that given the opportunity to make any corrections at all to a situation that is, as a matter of policy, grossly negligent, the Kentucky legislature, and in particular, the Committee on...  More ...

Charles Jay
GOOD INTENTIONS, YES - BUT COULD FIGHTERS WIND UP GETTING A F.I.S.T. TO THE FACE?   [Mar 12, 2003]
The 43rd Round   I want to bring to your attention a press release, issued a couple of weeks ago: News Release, February 27, 2003 (A formal announcement will be made at a New York City press conference on March 11th) F.I.S.T. ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH OPEIU & AFL-CIO By...  More ...

Charles Jay
HEY DUDE - WANNA BUY A RANKING? BETTER YET, WANNA BUY   [Mar 16, 2003]
The 44th Round As a public service, it's my obligation to turn your attention to the following news flash, re-posted "as-is": PRESS RELEASE Effective Immediately For More Information, contact: Don "Moose" Lewis, President International Boxing Union, Inc. @ 404/ 365-0177 or fax...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED PART 2 - BLUEGRASS STATE MUST BE BOYCOTTED   [Mar 21, 2003]
The 45th Round   The clear message was sent to us on March 9, 2001, when Greg Page was left lying in a boxing ring, without an ambulance or paramedics at his disposal; without emergency medical technicians on hand, without oxygen, without a stretcher, without so much as a licensed...  More ...

Charles Jay
WBO BASHERS HAVE FORGOTTEN THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF ALL   [Mar 26, 2003]
The 46th Round   Here is an official statement from the WBO concerning the protest of David Tua, who wished to be considered "available" to challenge new WBO heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders: "After careful consideration the World Boxing Organization has denied Team Tua's...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION WHO SHOULDN'T BE   [Mar 26, 2003]
The 47th Round On Friday, a purse bid is scheduled in which Corrie Sanders, the new WBO heavyweight champion, has been ordered to defend his title against the WBO's #2 contender, Lamon Brewster. As you know by now (and if you don't, read the previous chapter), David Tua has taken...  More ...

Charles Jay
SUGAR RAY'S IN SOME VERY 'MESI' BUSINESS   [Mar 31, 2003]
The 48th Round This past week, heavyweight fighter Joe Mesi and Sugar Ray Leonard ended their legal dispute by coming to a settlement that allowed Mesi to seek other promotional offers and end his association with SRLB. Mesi then reportedly signed a promotional agreement with...  More ...

Charles Jay
IBU MAKES THE BIG MOVE - AND WE'RE RIGHT BEHIND IT   [Mar 31, 2003]
The 49th Round   F ollowing our story a couple of weeks ago about the International Boxing Union (IBU), in which we relayed that Don "Moose" Lewis, president of the organization, was looking to sell out to the highest bidder, a revelation took place - one that will undoubtedly...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 3 - MARCUS WELBY HE'S NOT   [Apr 2, 2003]
The 50th Round One of the figures who is at the center of attention in Kentucky's Greg Page tragedy, and who indeed is a co-defendant in the lawsuit subsequently brought by Page - along with the Kentucky commissioners, promoter Terry O'Brien, and owners of Erlanger, Ky. nightclub Peel's...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 4 - PRELUDE TO A TRAGEDY   [Apr 3, 2003]
The 51st Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of the deposition taken from Dr. Manuel Mediodia, dated October 25, 2002) At some point during Dr. Manuel Mediodia's deposition, Doug Morris, an attorney for Greg...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 5 - A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING   [Apr 3, 2003]
The 52nd Round (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Dr. Manuel Mediodia, dated October 25, 2002) The rather remarkable dialogue you're about to read took place between Doug Morris, an attorney for Greg...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 6 - DANGER! DANGER! THERE'S A DOCTOR PRESENT!   [Apr 7, 2003]
The 53rd Round Doug Morris, an attorney for Greg Page, sat while deposing Dr. Manuel Mediodia and quickly came to the conclusion that Mediodia, in the process of justifying his involvement in a professional fight card that he was not licensed to preside over, in a state in which he was...  More ...

Charles Jay
FACING A BAN? THAT'S TOUGH, MAN   [Apr 13, 2003]
The 54th Round Last Thursday, the Texas state Senate approved a bill to ban "elimination boxing tournaments" - a measure squarely aimed at those events referred to as "Toughman contests". It didn't take long for the people from Art Dore's organization, the "Original Toughman Contest",...  More ...

Charles Jay
CONGRESSMAN PLAYS A DANGEROUS GAME OF MONOPOLY   [Apr 14, 2003]
The 55th Round Years ago, when I was doing a little matchmaking, both on the pro and amateur level, in the Tampa Bay area, I was trying to put a certain aspiring heavyweight on one of my Friday night amateur cards, but was rebuffed by some officials of the ABF (now known as USA Boxing),...  More ...

Charles Jay
WHAT'S EVEN WORSE THAN "TOUGHMAN"?   [Apr 20, 2003]
The 56 Round As dangerous as Toughman contests may potentially be, the company, headed by Art Dore, probably provides the "gold standard" for events of its kind. That's indeed a rather scary notion. What are even more perilous than these events; what offers very little in the way of...  More ...

Charles Jay
TOUGHENING THE LAW ON 'TOUGHMAN'   [Apr 27, 2003]
The 57th Round   As dangerous as Toughman contests may potentially be, the company, headed by Art Dore, probably provides the "gold standard" for events of its kind. That's indeed a rather scary notion. What are even more perilous than these events; what offers very little in...  More ...

Charles Jay
BARR'S #1, BUT IT'S THE 'MYSTERY OPPONENT' THAT APPEARS TO BE MANDATORY   [Apr 29, 2003]
The 58th Round There's this old story - I'm sure you've heard it - about the explorer in the jungle who comes upon a snake, wounded, who can't move, and carries it over to the other side of the river. He proceeds to nurse this snake back to health, then, when he's not looking, the snake...  More ...

Charles Jay
WBO SHOULD BE BARR-ED   [Apr 29, 2003]
The 59th Round   There's a big problem with the WBO's campaign to get Freeman Barr stripped of his #1 ranking. Obviously, if you recall from the statement the organization released on April 19, and which was reproduced in the last chapter, it is relying on the Muhammad Ali Act as...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 7 - PRESENCE OF MIND   [May 2, 2003]
The 60th Round There was something that really worried me about the testimony offered in the deposition of Dr. Manuel Mediodia, some of which was reproduced on these pages in previous parts of "Kentucky: Fried". As I sit back and analyze it, what I found most disturbing about it were...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 8 -- A 'BLACK' EYE FOR BOXING   [May 25, 2003]
The 61st Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Nancy Black, dated October 14, 2002) One of the things about boxing regulation that can make it so problematic is that, in each individual...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 9 -- 'BLACKING OUT' ON THE LAW   [Jun 13, 2003]
The 62nd Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Nancy Black, dated October 14, 2002) Obviously, there is a distinction to be made between what is a state law and what is a federal law....  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 10 -- FADE TO BLACK   [Jun 14, 2003]
The 63rd Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Nancy Black, dated October 14, 2002) One of the reasons I have chosen this format for the Kentucky series is that I don't want anyone to...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 11 -- KERNS IS TOUGHMAN-TRAINED - AND IT SHOWS   [Jul 11, 2003]
The 64th Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Jack Kerns, dated December 10, 2002) How does one become the chairman of a boxing commission? Surely, there are any number of ways it can...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 12 -- LAW? WHAT LAW?, or 'BEING VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ABC DON'T MEAN ANYTHING   [Jul 12, 2003]
The 65th Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Jack Kerns, dated December 10, 2002) I think the best way to approach this particular chapter is to lay out another instructive exchange...  More ...

Charles Jay
INDEED, WHEN WILL IT ALL END?   [Jul 13, 2003]
The 66th Round   As you can imagine, I always enjoy getting feedback from my readers, especially when they are subscribers. A few weeks back I was actually a little surprised to receive the following e-mail. Whether this particular sender has a stake in the matter is something...  More ...

Charles Jay
AGENTS AREN'T 007, BUT THEY'RE A SECRET NONETHELESS   [Jul 14, 2003]
The 67th Round Most boxing fans have a rough idea of what the promoter does; what a manager does; perhaps even what a matchmaker does. If you read "Operation Cleanup: A Blueprint for Boxing Reform" you got a pretty good background on what these people are supposed to do. But there is...  More ...

Charles Jay
IS THE TEN-POINT SYSTEM A 'MUST'?   [Jul 14, 2003]
The 68th Round You know, I sit here and read e-mails from people who complain about some of the "lousy" decisions that have come down in major fights. People have come up with all kinds of suggestions through the years, but thinking that all the while, one of the potential solution is...  More ...

Charles Jay
FOLLOW THE GLOVES   [Jul 16, 2003]
The 69th Round Quite a while ago, I was approaching one of the major boxing equipment companies about a project I was into. It was an independent boxing writers' poll - the forerunner of what we're in the process of undertaking right now, and which I was trying to keep alive at the time....  More ...

Charles Jay
THE MANAGER-FIGHTER DYNAMIC   [Jul 20, 2003]
The 70th Round As defined by the Professional Boxer Safety Act, a manager is - "a person who receives compensation for services as an agent or representative of a boxer". The manager contracts to provide services for a fighter, but sometimes he does not perform the services for which...  More ...

Charles Jay
WHEN COMMISSIONS DO THE "SWAG"   [Jul 20, 2003]
The 71st Round Oh boy. Looks like there's substantial cause for embarrassment - and alarm - coming out of New Jersey. Gerard Gormley, the chairman of the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, has been flagged for receiving over 200 free passes for fights that took place in Atlantic City,...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 13 - DUE DILIGENCE   [Jul 22, 2003]
The 72nd Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Jack Kerns, dated December 10, 2002) As we've seen, Nancy Black is really not clear on how Dr. Manuel Mediodia wound up as a ringside...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 14 -- COME HELL OR HIGH WATER   [Jul 23, 2003]
The 73rd Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Jack Kerns, dated December 10, 2002) In Part Six of my special report "Horse Manure Isn't the Only Thing That Stinks in Kentucky",...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE TELEVISION PRIMER   [Jul 25, 2003]
The 74th Round Any discussion of the regulation of television interests in boxing has to start with a little perspective on just how TV affects the industry and the fighters in it, not to mention an exploration on just what kinds of abuses are possible. Inasmuch as TV continues to...  More ...

Charles Jay
WELL, SHOULD WE OR SHOULDN'T WE?   [Jul 26, 2003]
The 75th Round The people who involve themselves in discussions as to whether television networks should be licensed by boxing commissions tend to fall into the trap of tying that to the consideration of whether they are or aren't actually "promoters". This group includes the promoters...  More ...

Charles Jay
NETWORKS: IT'S A QUESTION OF TRUST - OR SHOULD WE SAY ANTI-TRUST?   [Jul 27, 2003]
The 76th Round Whether they want to admit it or not, networks have always had more than just a passing interest in controlling the product that winds up on their air. Evidence of this can be traced all the way back to 1947, when CBS formed a wholly-owned subsidiary named Tournament of...  More ...

Charles Jay
ATLAS STILL CAN'T GET OUT OF DODGE CITY   [Jul 27, 2003]
The 77th Round   You know, there's nothing like a few quotable quotes -- "Don't taint my business. It's an honorable business. It's not a joke. It's noble. I hate people making a mockery of my business." -- Teddy Atlas, as told to Hal Bock of Associated Press, for March 6,...  More ...

Charles Jay
RATING THE RATINGS   [Jul 28, 2003]
The 78th Round Since the beginning of "Operation Cleanup", the only organization that ever asked me for my input on its ratings system has been the World Boxing Association. Part of it stemmed from my criticism of the way the WBA handled the situation surrounding Kirk Johnson's...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 15 -- FIGHT NIGHT BECOMES FRIGHT NIGHT   [Jul 28, 2003]
The 79th Round   (NOTE: The "Q & A" passages in these reports, as well as the direct quotes, are a product of a deposition taken from Jack Kerns, dated December 10, 2002) James Doolin, the trainer for former heavyweight champion Greg Page, came to officials of the Kentucky...  More ...

Charles Jay
KENTUCKY: FRIED Part 16 -- IGO: RIGHT OUT THE DOOR   [Jul 28, 2003]
The 80th Round As part of the process of "investigating" the tragic injury suffered by Greg Page on March 9, 2001, the Kentucky Athletic Commission took statements from just about everyone under their jurisdiction who was connected to the fight. This constituted the entire...  More ...

Charles Jay
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A PROMOTER?   [Jul 28, 2003]
The 81st Round   his is the official definition of a PROMOTER, according to the Professional Boxer Safety Act: "(9) Promoter. The term 'promoter' means the person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing a professional boxing match." And this is the way...  More ...

Charles Jay
CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR   [Jul 30, 2003]
The 82nd Round If you were following us toward the end of "Operation Cleanup: A Blueprint for Boxing Reform", you're familiar with our media poll for world rankings, designed to be set up independently, but which was to take on a different dimension with its incorporation into a...  More ...

Charles Jay
DO PROMOTIONAL CONTRACTS NEED AN OVERHAUL?   [Jul 30, 2003]
The 83rd Round In the sport of professional boxing, promotional contracts are what make the world go 'round. You will rarely find an instance on national television where one of the featured fighters, either in the main event or the semi-main, is not under contract to the promoter who has...  More ...

Charles Jay
CHANGING THE PROMOTIONAL WORLD   [Aug 3, 2003]
The 84th Round I heard a story once about a promoter who, in what could best be described as a highly unusual move, went about approaching all the opponent-types in his particular area and signed them to promotional contracts. The purpose of this was not necessarily to resurrect careers,...  More ...

Charles Jay
A STERN MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T "C"   [Aug 5, 2003]
The 85th Round Ladies and gentlemen, I want to be as brief as possible today. If you would, please consider the following hypothetical: A fighter, who showed some definite signs of sluggishness last time out, wants to start over with a new promoter. During the process of...  More ...

Charles Jay
HE'S GOT NO DOG IN THIS FIGHT   [Aug 10, 2003]
The 86th Round   (We'll start this thing out with a little disclaimer - I am currently involved with the subject of this piece, Scott Wagner, in business ventures outside the sport of boxing. But it bears mentioning that I'm not extolling his virtues because I do business with...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE CASE FOR A NATIONAL COMMISSION   [Aug 14, 2003]
The 87th Round   Certainly I wouldn't laugh you out of the room if you concluded that the last 186 chapters of the "Operation Cleanup" series provided a mountain of evidence to support the establishment of a national commission. After all, we have focused on improprieties and...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE CASE AGAINST A NATIONAL COMMISSION   [Aug 15, 2003]
The 88th Round   As I touched upon in the last chapter, I have undergone something of a metamorphosis over the course of the last fifteen months. At the beginning, I was a staunch supporter of the idea for a national commission, because like most people, I figured it would...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE LANDMARK RULING YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT   [Aug 17, 2003]
The 89th Round   I was involved recently as an expert consultant/witness in a rather contentious court case between super middleweight contender Antwun Echols and Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions - a case that, as I've mentioned previously, will be explored in its fascinating...  More ...

Charles Jay
THE FIGHTER AS PROMOTER   [Aug 21, 2003]
The 90th Round It seems that with increasing regularity, fighters are becoming concerned about the kind of money that is coming to the promoter when he fights, whether it be in the form of a side deal the promoter cuts or the money a television network pays him. For example, a fighter who...  More ...

Charles Jay
"JUDGING" THE DE LA HOYA-MOSLEY SITUATION   [Sep 18, 2003]
The 91st Round   Okay - now that Bob Arum has dismissed the notion of an out-and-out "conspiracy" surrounding the De la Hoya-Mosley decision, let me get around to the point no one in his camp had made. One of Arum's big points of contention was over the presence of South...  More ...

Charles Jay
NO CONSPIRACY - JUST POLITICS   [Sep 28, 2003]
The 92nd Round Bob Arum has acquiesced to not having evidence of a "conspiracy" in the scoring, judging, or selection of judges for the Oscar De la Hoya-Shane Mosley fight. He has basically apologized to the Nevada State Athletic Commission and thrown himself on its mercy, the result...  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Volume 1 -- GOVERNMENT WASTE - IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE   [Oct 9, 2003]
The 93rd Round Any day now, Senate Bill 275, otherwise known as the "Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2003", which would create the "United States Boxing Administration", is to come up for vote in the Senate, then, if passed, would go immediately to the House of Representatives....  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Volume 2 -- THE BULLY BRIGADE   [Oct 16, 2003]
The 94th Round   For those of you who thought the institution of the "United States Boxing Administration" might make the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) obsolete, you've got another thing coming. Among the estimated 30 people to be employed by a United States Boxing...  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Volume 3 -- A-B-C 'YA LATER   [Oct 17, 2003]
The 95th Round   In the last chapter, I left you with this question, as it concerned the efforts of the Association of Boxing Commissions to intimidate a well-meaning referee named Armando Garcia: "What made Lueckenhoff, Sirb, King, or Spizler think they had the right to...  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Volume 4 -- THE NEW JERSEY QUESTION   [Oct 23, 2003]
The 96th Round About a year ago, and rather quietly, I might add, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board pulled itself from participation in the Association of Boxing Commissions, by simply not going through the process of renewing its membership. It has been said that the bad taste...  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Volume 5 -- REST ASSURED, McCAIN'S LAW WILL SCREW FIGHTERS   [Oct 26, 2003]
The 97th Round It's readily apparent that the federal bills we've seen thus far - the Professional Boxer Safety Act, the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, and the proposed Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2003 - are products of a consistent theme: greedy promoters, and awful,...  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Vol. 6 - UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS   [Dec 1, 2003]
The 98th Round   Back on May 10, 2002, junior middleweight contender Kassim Ouma stepped into a ring at Delaware's Dover Downs for his fight with Jason Papillon, wearing a back ad displaying the name of an online casino - something that was expressly forbidden by the televising...  More ...

Charles Jay
KILL THE BILL Volume 7 -- ANOTHER "REFORMER" WHO NEEDS TO BE REFORMED   [Dec 29, 2003]
The 99th Round Earlier this month, in response to what he, and others, considered an excessive amount of "pork" in the latest energy bill, John McCain told his Senate colleagues, "The outbreak of Washington trichinosis will be so severe, we will be forced to have a field office for the...  More ...