TOP RANK STILL SWIMS IN STATE OF TOTAL DENIAL!
Las Vegas, NV-The Operation Matchbox Federal Grand Jury looking into the boxing business, and specifically into the operations of the boxing promotional company Top Rank, has ordered the appearance of retired professional fighter Buck Smith at the Federal Building, May 2, 2006. Had Smith been willing to cooperate some 18 months ago when FBI Agent Henry Schlumpf first asked, he might not have found himself under oath in front of US Attorney Eric Johnson and this 25-member Federal Grand Jury.
CANT HAVE A LAWYER PRESENT IN DA ROOM!
Smith, and the many (61?) others that are being ordered to testify, cannot bring a lawyer with them into the room in which their sworn testimony will be taken. This gives Johnson, a seasoned but rather young Justice Dept. Attorney and one who has worked Mafia cases before, the opportunity to punch and not have to duck punches in return!
PEDRO CALLS BUCK THREE DAYS BEFORE FBI!
When important people arent returning your calls in matters like this, there are usually only two reasons that can be applied. Either they dont want to, or they cant. When I couldnt get my Matchbox itch scratched, I made a mental list of individuals that I was pretty sure were going to be called by the FBI. When I called Buck, he didnt give any indication that he had yet been served. Three days transpired before Smith, who went 178-16-2, with 132 KOs professionally, was contacted by telephone by the Oklahoma City office of the FBI.
AINT GOING TO COVER FOR ANYBODY!, In an exclusive chat Sunday afternoon, Smith said it like this. Im just going to tell them the truth. If Ive done anything, Ill tell them. Talking about a prior conversation with FBI Agent Schlumpf Smith said, He wanted me to talk to him, but people involved with the case, were telling me not to talk. He said he would subpoena me before the Grand Jury. I told him that Ill tell my story for the record once, and I aint going to cover for anybody. Why should I?
AFTER CONFIRMING, TOP RANK STILL SPINS DENIAL!
Having published the names of Smith and another fighter Marty Jakubowski last Wednesday, the people at, or those close to, the Top Rank folks had an ample opportunity to call Marty, Buck, or the likes of Indianas Malcolm Garrett, and Im sure they did. Yet on Friday there were staffers saying that, There isnt a Grand Jury. Nobody else is writing about it, because its not true! With that obviously not being the case, some people at Top Rank are again, after thinking they had skated, probably popping sleeping pills in order to escape the reality of coming indictments!
TOMORROW, THE SUSPECTS & THE SUSPECTED SINGERS!
Ill list some of the players, the obvious suspects, and those even suspected of singing like Diana Ross, tomorrow exclusively only at www.RingTalk.com
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-wining writer, talk show host, TV commentator, and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding this story can be left below.