Standing 8 Court: Monday Sparring Session

A Quick Review of Legal and Regulatory Issues in Boxing from the Past Few Weeks


Ideal Mindset of a Boxing Manager Alert: Attention managers who need evidence to present to their boxer that not every boxer gets paid a lot of money every time that they take a meaningful fight: Former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson received a reported $12,000 for his February 5, 2010 sixth round TKO over Philadelphia’s Yusaf Mack in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Although $12,000 is a fraction of Johnson usually earns in a given fight, the upside to Johnson taking the fight for short money was that it kept him active, got him some television time, and put him in position for an IBF title shot against the undefeated Tavoris Cloud. His willingness to fight for short money should be used as “Exhibit A” for any manager who has to sell his boxer on an advantageous fight for short money. For more on what a manager should keep in mind at all times when dealing with his boxers, please see “The Ideal Mind Set of a Boxing Manager” 


“Taylor Made” Alert for Stevens: Following his spirited, but unsuccessful challenge of Contender alum Jesse Brinkey on January 29, 2010, one-time hot super middleweight prospect Curtis (Showtime) Stevens may now be at peril of having his promotional agreement terminated. This is because his promoter, Star Boxing, like many boxing promoters, may have placed language in its contract with Stevens that would permit it to either modify or terminate the agreement in the event that he was not declared the winner of a particular contest. Given the impact the Brinkley loss could have on Stevens’ career and marketability, he may find himself a promotional free agent sooner rather than later. On a side note, it has not been reported whether or not Brinkley’s trainer, Peter Manfredo, Sr., will face any further disciplinary action from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for charging into the ring and towards Stevens at the end of one of the rounds. As it is, he was already banished from Brinkley’s corner for the balance of the bout immediately after. For more on the application of a termination clause following a loss, please see the “Punches After the Bell” section of “The Incredible Expanding First Defense Deadline”.


Valero Likely Off of the Playground for a While After Being Declared “Champion in Recess”: WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero’s thorough February 6, 2010 dismantling of Antonio DeMarco placed both boxers on medical suspension for a while; DeMarco for the TKO loss, and Valero for the substantial gash he suffered after an accidental clash of heads. The WBC thus wasted little time in declaring Valero a “champion in recess,” and made an announcement regarding his new status on February 9, 2010. Unfortunately, the WBC rule on interim championships is not completely available online as of right now, and thus cannot be analyzed. It appears that a page was inadvertently left out of the online version of their rules…


Rules Regarding Blood Alert: As the entire boxing world knows well, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and “Sugar” Shane Mosley will now be fighting on May 1, 2010 in Las Vegas. It should be noted that their contract includes a similar mandate on blood that helped put Mayweather-Pacquiao in the crypt: Olympic-style drug testing. For an extended discussion of the Olympic rules, please see “The Rules Regarding Blood That May Put Mayweather-Pacquiao in the Crypt” .


What the Funeka Could Gabriel Campillo Have Done?: Beibut Shumenov’s January 29, 2010 rematch victory over Gabriel Campillo for the WBA world light heavyweight title has been widely touted as one of the worst decisions of the year thus far. If Campillo wished to put the decision to the test, the WBA Rules state that “[a] bout decision may be contested by a boxer if within ten (10) days of the decision the boxer submits payment of a $10,000.00 fee and the following… A concise statement by the boxer or his authorized agent setting forth the grounds on which the challenge has been brought, arguments and authority in support, and identification of other persons with a material interest likely to be affected by a decision on the challenge…” and several additional documents and other bits of information. The WBA Champion Committee, in its sole discretion, may then order that the boxers fight a rematch, based upon opinions and recommendations that it may seek from “the International Officials Committee, or a special officials committee.” Unfortunately, unless Campillo has filed such an appeal without much fanfare, it would appear that he is now no longer able to do so. For more on how to contest questionable decisions in world championship fights, please see “What the Funeka Can He Do?”


Morals Clause Alert for Loser by AKO: It was recently reported that former heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield recently had a temporary protective order taken out against him in Georgia after allegedly hitting his wife after an argument about her payments to their church. Although Holyfield, who is under administrative suspension in New York following his 2004 loss to Larry Donald, is not signed with a major promoter or sponsor right now, such news could have been exceptionally costly for the prime Holyfield, who was a highly marketable champion with a clean cut image. For more on Holyfield’s administrative suspension, please see “Losers by AKO”  For more on the use of the morals clause in boxing contracts, please see “Throwing Stones When Living with a Glass Jaw?”


Paul Stuart Haberman, Esq. is an attorney at the New York law firm of Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP. He is also a New York State licensed boxing manager and the Chairman of the Sports Law Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association. Paul can be e-mailed at haberman.paul@gmail.com. ©