MAJOR WEBSITES SCARED OF MASSA’ BOB ARUM’S POWER
Phoenix, AZ– First of all, I want you to know that I tried to get the bigger boxing websites, notably MaxBoxing, BoxRec & Seconds Out.com, to run, or at least report on the features we have done on the scandal that is imploding the Arizona Boxing Commission. Thus far, the big three have refused. My take on that is the power of the Sheik himself, Bob Arum, is so vast that they are afraid of losing their press credentials.
SELLING ONE’S SOUL FOR A SEAT AT THE FIGHTS?
I learned many years ago from a man I respect more than any other writer today, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, that if all you’re concerned about are credentials and favors from promoters, that you have in essence sold your soul to the devil. Unless there is a change of heart, I’m sorry to say this appears to be the case with the aforementioned three.
COMMISSION SECRETARY QUITS & RING TALK INTERVIEWS SENATOR
Having felt the need to air that out, today has been another day in which the Arizona Boxing Commission is making news. According to sources, Norma Rivero, the longtime secretary to ex-Asst. Athletic Commission Director John Montano, she reportedly resigned today. Ms. Rivero, who refused to answer point blank questions I hurled at her in person and on the telephone quit Tuesday. Up to her armpits in the corruption that was the norm as Montano controlled Arizona Boxing for two plus decades, Norma knows where the bodies are buried because she helped bury them!
WILL NORMA STAY LOYAL AND RISK LENGTHY PRISON TIME?
Like a puppet on Montano’s string, Rivero has flat out lied. In one instance she was so nervous in the halls of the State Capitol building here that my presence caused her to walk into a closed elevator door trying to flee. That being said, and from what I’ve learned in my five years on this story, it appears to me that Ms. Rivero will either have to “rat” on Montano or face prison time herself.
ARIZONA STATE SENATOR TALKS TO “RING TALK”
On Tuesday afternoon, I had the opportunity to speak with Senator Jonathan Payton. Mr. Payton, a big fan of MMA pushed a bill through the legislature legalizing the sport in Arizona over a year ago. But according to the honorable Senator, promoters (not already aligned with John Montano) couldn’t get the go ahead to promote in his state.
SENATOR DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT REFORM
Said the Senator in a telephone call from Santa Fe, NM. “Promoters were coming to me and saying that they couldn’t get licensed. They were meeting resistance from the Boxing Commission. It’s pretty clear that things have not been fair. After Channel 15 aired their reports on Mary Rose Wilcox (former Commission Chairperson), I went to the Governor and told him that we need change. He agreed and she is out. Look, I want things to be fair and competitive in Arizona.”
SENATOR PAYTON NOT YET DONE…
“We have a three person Commission. With Mike Green already on board, we have somebody I believe is honest that wants and will work to bring us big boxing matches and big MMA matches. When we appoint a new member in January, we expect to have a clear majority of people on the Commission that will get the state going in the right direction. The problem in Arizona has been there is no incentive to improve the Athletic Commission. Whether they do five shows or 50, the money they receive from the general fund is the same. Come January, I can promise you positive changes.”
For the sake of honest promoters, as well as fighters looking to apply their trade in Arizona, we certainly hope that the Senator can come through.
Pedro Fernandez