The legal committee of the Association of Boxing Commissions addressed two matters of note during its most recent monthly conference call. The first is memorialized in the meeting minutes under the heading, "Sex with ring girl as compensation to an MMA victor."
More specifically, it was brought to the ABC's attention that a mixed martial arts promotional group in Florida is purportedly holding events in which the winner is entitled to engage in sexual intercourse with the round card girl of his choice. The ABC's investigation of the matter has been hampered by the fact that the promotional group's Web site is "adult themed" and thus (according to the minutes of the ABC legal committee) "inappropriate for access via a government-owned computer."
The ABC minutes further state, "It is presumed that such activity is being conducted underground and is not licensed or regulated by a boxing or athletic commission. In such instance, local law enforcement should be contacted toward the end of putting an end to such unsanctioned and unregulated activity. It is doubtful that any state or tribal regulation expressly addresses matters such as prohibiting sex acts as the quid pro quo for a fighter's participation in a bout. However, a generic regulatory provision [e.g. not in the best interests of MMA] may be applicable. Further, if sex with the ring girl is deemed to be the fighters' compensation, such activity may constitute prostitution or the solicitation of the same."
Hey, guys! Have you considered the likelihood that the fights don't exist and this is just a scam to promote a pornographic Web site?
And another indecent proposal
More seriously, at the same meeting, the ABC legal committee issued a ruling that could have far-reaching implications for professional boxing.
"It has come to the attention of the ABC," the minutes note, "that the major sanctioning organizations have been and are soliciting and receiving 'sponsorships' from major promoters who operate in the U.S."
As an example of this practice, the legal committee references a printed program entitled "The Best 20 Years -- Collector's Edition" that was distributed by the WBO at its annual convention in November 2007. The program contains a series of full-page displays in which various promoters are identified as "Platinum Sponsors." The promoters include Top Rank, Don King Productions, Golden Boy Promotions, Universum Box-Promotion, Warriors Boxing Promotions, Sports Network and Banner Promotions.
"In addition," the ABC minutes declare, "some of the same promoters, as well as others, published ads in the WBO booklet. This type of activity appears to be a direct contravention of 15 USC§6308[c] [the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act], which states, 'No officer or employee of a sanctioning organization may receive any compensation, gift, or benefit, directly or indirectly, from a boxer [other than a sanctioning fee].'"
The ABC could have also noted that violation of this law is a crime punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of $20,000.
The ABC has sent a letter to each of the major sanctioning organizations advising them to cease and desist from this practice. Shouldn't it send a similar letter to every major promoter?
The good old days?
With boxing fans bemoaning the state of the heavyweight division, it's worth remembering that things weren't much better a hundred years ago.
James J. Jeffries relinquished the heavyweight crown when he retired in 1905. Later that year, Marvin Hart beat Jack Root for the vacant throne. Hart, in turn, lost to the lightly-regarded 5-foot-7 Tommy Burns. As 1908 began, Burns was heavyweight champion of the world.
Jeffries was a great fighter. He'd been undefeated when he gave up his title and suffered the only loss of his career in an ill-advised comeback fight against Jack Johnson in 1910. He's largely forgotten today, except as an appendage to Papa Jack, and that's a shame.
In the spirit of remembrance, here is a trio of insights from Jeffries:
On the family life of a professional fighter:" Marriage and boxing don't go together."
Explaining why he was retiring in 1905: "I've got all the money I want. There's nobody to fight me. To hell with this business and the championship too. What's the championship? A lot of yaps run after me to pound me on the back. They don't give a damn about me. I'm nobody; they're yelling for the champ. Well, I'm sick of it."
On his 75th birthday, reflecting back on his loss to Johnson: "We can't fight nature. Youth tells in the long run. I don't know if I could have beaten him at my best, but it would have been a better fight."
What's your name?
Just when I think that I've put all of my memories of Muhammad Ali on paper, something new filters through my mind. The most recent recollection to surface concerns a moment in an airport years ago.
I was waiting with Ali to board a plane while the customary throng stood around him. Handshakes, kisses and autographs were in demand. One of the people on line was a young boy with a piece of paper in his hand. When he reached the fighter, Ali asked, "How old are you?"
"Four."
"What's your name?"
"Mommy says I shouldn't tell my name to strangers."
Thomas Hauser is the lead writer for Secondsout.com. His most recent collection of boxing columns -- "The Greatest Sport of All" -- has been published by the University of Arkansas Press. He can be reached by e-mail at thauser@rcn.com.