Professional Boxing is known as the “Sweet Science”, but corruption, a lack of a central governing body and the rise of MMA have threatened to end this glorious sport. Mega fights still bring in huge revenues, but they are few and far between. We take a look back at 10 events which have contributed to the downfall.
10
James Butler
Butler was a very promising young fighter from New York City, known by the nickname “Harlem Hammer”. In November 2001, James Butler fought Richard “The Alien” Grant. The bout was a charity event to benefit survivors of the September 11 attacks. After losing by unanimous decision Butler made his way to the middle of the ring to purportedly congratulate Grant. Grant reacted by stretching his hand out in a motion to embrace. Instead, Butler (who had already removed his gloves) threw a vicious haymaker to Grant’s face. Richard Grant suffered numerous facial injuries including a broken jaw, lacerated tongue and several stitches. Butler, in turn, was arrested and convicted of assault, and served prison time for the attack.
Unfortunately, the tale does not end there. James Butler continued his career after this incident, but could never duplicate his earlier success. In October of 2004, Butler was arrested and charged with murdering Sam Kellerman, brother of HBO Boxing analyst Max Kellerman, with (ironically) a hammer, and setting his body on fire after a dispute. Butler pled guilty in 2006, and was sentenced to 29 years in prison.
9
Riot at Madison Square Garden
Polish born Andrew Golota entered the ring on July 11, 1996, with an exceptional 27-0 record and on the cusp of Superstardom. All he had to do was get past the 38-1 former Undisputed Heavyweight champ, Riddick Bowe. Golota responded with a brilliant performance. The Polish sensation clobbered the ex-champ round after round, almost into submission. He was well ahead on points and seemingly close to scoring a knockout.
In the 7th round, the fight began to take a very strange turn. Golota (for reasons known only to himself) commenced to blatantly and repeatedly punch Bowe below the belt line. Golota was warned several times and even received point deductions, but his behavior continued. After several more flagrant low blows the referee was forced to disqualify him. Riddick Bowe’s corner responded by rushing the ring and viciously attacking Golota and his team. This triggered a full scale, racially charged riot, which spilled into the stands. MSG security was not equipped to handle a massive brawl and had to wait for New York riot police to arrive. Reinforcements finally arrived but not before dozens of fans, boxing personnel and police were injured in this disgraceful and bizarre incident.
8
Only in America
Not just anyone can own a professional football franchise. Not just anyone can own a baseball franchise. Anyone can promote a fight, even a convicted killer and numbers operator from Cleveland. In 1974, Don King very shrewdly promoted his first professional fight. It turned out to be the famed Ali vs Foreman “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire. This mega-event instantly transformed King into a major player in boxing for the next 30 years.
But, unfortunately the major player likes to play dirty; King’s many exploits are infamous. He has perpetrated fraud after fraud on any and all promising young fighters to join his stable. King has been implicated in: murder, bribery, theft, bookmaking, breaches of contract, and mafia assisted racketeering. Larry Holmes once said, “Don King wears his hair like that so he can hide his horns”.
7
Sonny Liston and the Mob
By all accounts Liston had a woeful childhood. Extremely poor and physically abused, Liston left home at an early age and participated in numerous violent crimes. While incarcerated, his boxing skills were discovered and, soon after his release, he began destroying a string of opponents on his way to the Heavyweight title. Liston’s incredible prowess caught the attention of several mafia associates including, Frankie Carbo and “Blinky” Palermo.
By the time Sonny Liston fought a young Cassius Clay on May 25, 1965, many in the press already suspected that Liston was controlled by the mob. He nevertheless participated in one of the most obvious fixes in sports history. In the very first round, Liston took a dive and allowed himself to be counted out after Clay threw his famous “Phantom Punch”. Slow motion review shows a quick combination that seemingly misses, or at best only grazes, Liston. Coincidentally, their first fight also ended controversially when Liston refused to come out of his corner for the 7th round, claiming a shoulder injury. Sonny Liston would die 5 years later, under very suspicious circumstances.
6
Corrupt Richard Steele
A very rare event occurred on March 17, 1990. On this night two undefeated champions, who were both in the same weight class and who were both in their prime, fought each other. Julio Cesar Chavez who was 68-0 (and promoted by Don King) met undefeated Olympic gold medalist, and welterweight champ, Meldrick Taylor. Chavez was the favorite but it was Taylor who dominated the fight from the opening bell.
In late going Taylor’s trademark speed was beginning to wane but he still held a commanding lead on all scorecards going into the final round. Moments before the end of the match, Chavez scored a knockdown but Taylor rose to his feet quickly. Had the fight continued, Taylor would have still won by unanimous decision, but it was not meant to be. The bout referee, Richard Steele, stopped the fight with a mere 2 seconds left, and awarded the victory to Chavez. There were immediate protests from Taylor’s camp, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission (whose integrity has been routinely called into question) upheld the decision. Taylor’s career and health were subsequently ruined and Steele, who notoriously favored Don King fighters, forever tarnished the sport.
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