Top Ten: Boxing Scandals
Miguel Assuncao
Posted on: 12 April 2010 - 16:02
Boxing
The boxing world is no stranger to controversy. Top talent and organisations have been embroiled in a plethora of scandals both in and out of the ring with the reputation of the sport being brought into disrepute on a number of occasions.
From money related fallouts to links to drug barons, the sport is never too far away from the headlines. Here is a rundown of some of the most polemical boxing related events in recent history.
Monzon convicted of murder 1989
Carlos Monzon dominated the middleweight division in the 1980s and held the record for the greatest number of successful title-defences at the weight with 14.
He then hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when he was convicted of murdering his wife, throwing her off off a second-floor balcony in 1989. He was sentenced to 11 years in custody but died in a car crash when returning to prison after having been granted permission for a family visit in 1995 aged 52.
Frank Warren shot 1989
The UK's premier boxing promoter was shot twice when he stepped out of his Bentley on the way to promoting a bout at the Broadway Theatre in Barking in 1989. The second shot aimed at Warren missed his heart by an inch and lead to the promoter losing half a lung, parts of his ribs and a testicle.
Terry Marsh, who had become Warren's first World Champion, faced trial over the shooting but was acquitted. The promoter has said that he knows the identity of the gunman but wishes to not dwell on the situation.
The Ring magazine records 1976
The Ring, one of the most respected boxing magazines, was guilty of tampering with the records of several boxers, raising their profile to secure lucrative fight deals on American television.
The United States Boxing Championships, curated by Don King for broadcast on ABC television, attempted to establish an American as champion in as many weight divisions as possible. As a result, The Ring altered American boxers' documents, crediting phantom wins so they became eligible title-fights.
Calzaghe admits to taking cocaine 2010
Joe Calzaghe surprised the boxing world when he admitted to taking cocaine earlier this year.
The undefeated Welshman was caught on camera by a Sunday newspaper talking about the drug. He subsequently confessed to having taken the drug in “what have sometimes been long days” since his retirement in 2009. He apologised for what he described as his “occasional” use of the drug and vowed to overcome the problem.
Don King controversies
Peoples opinions of Don King remain polarised. He was the man behind some of the biggest fights in history, namely 'The Rumble in the Jungle' and the 'Thrilla in Manilla', but he was also at the centre of several high-profile bust-ups.
Aside from being involved in the murder of two men and allegedly having links to mobsters, King was sued by Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis over unpaid fees. He settled each case out of court for a fraction of the cost, saving himself millions in costs.
Tyson bites Holyfied's ear 1997
During their June 1997 bout at the MGM Grand, Mike Tyson bit the ear of Evander Holyfield in what was one of the most bizarre sights to emanate from the ring. Not content with leaving Holyfield without part of his ear, he then triggered a mass brawl when he surged for the opposition corner.
This was the latest scandal in Tyson's life as he had already been convicted of rape in 1992, being sentenced to ten years imprisonment, before his release in 1995.
Mosley involvement with BALCO 2003
'Sugar' Shane Mosley was implemented in the BALCO steroids case that engulfed a variety of sports in the early part of the century. Mosley has denied knowing that want he was taking were banned substances, but his use of EPO in the lead-up to his bout against Oscar De La Hoya is widely regarded as having given him the edge in the decision victory.
Sprinters Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery were both also discovered to have received performance enhancing drugs from the laboratory.
Margarito tampers with hand-wraps 2009
Former WBA welterweight champion Antonio Margarito was adjudged to have attempted to place a substance of similar effect to plaster in his gloves before the fight against Shane Mosley in January 2009. Mosley's corner become aware of the situation and demanded the re-wrapping of Margarito's hands several times before the start of the bout.
The Mexican boxer was issued with a one-year de facto ban from the California State Athletic Commision over the incident as has recently been linked with a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao, should the Pacmans bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr not materialise.
Liston versus Clay 1964
Sonny Liston was one of the most powerful punchers in the history of the sport and his fight against the then Cassius Clay was one of the most anticipated encounters in history. The bout was an evenly matched contest until the sixth round when Liston quit, citing a shoulder injury as the reason for his inability to continue.
Clay celebrated in style, professing his belief that he was the greatest before announcing his intention to change his name, which occurred the following week. Many conspiracies have been cited as a possible reason for Liston's withdrawal, including claims that he had bet against himself, as the issue continues to be debated today.
Lewis versus Tyson press conference 2002
When the two fighters met for a press conference to publicise their world-title fight in 2002, nobody could have predicted what was about to happen. As a scuffle broke out between the two fighters and their entourage, Tyson bit Lewis in the leg as the two men battled on the floor.
'Iron Mike' went on to lose the fight by the way of an eighth round knockout and had to pay the Brit $335,000 in compensation for the bite. The Ring named the press conference as their event of the year for 2002.