After Three Postponements, Bramble Will Fight Crawley

RENO — One year to the day he last fought, Livingstone Bramble will defend the World Boxing Assn. lightweight title against Tyrone Crawley.

Since Bramble beat Ray (Boom Boom) Mancini on a 15-round decision in their title rematch last Feb. 16 at the Lawlor Events Center here, the champion has only made news outside the ring.

He was fined $15,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission when a urinalysis following the Mancini fight revealed a trace of the drug Ephedrin, which is commonly used in nasal sprays.

Bramble said he had used a diet supplement for a year without knowledge that it contained the drug. The WBA took no action.

The 25-year-old Bramble, a native of the Virgin Islands, also split, not amicably, with manager Lou Duva.

Duva has sued Bramble, contending he should get a manager’s commission from Bramble’s purse because the fight was signed before Duva’s managerial contract expired.

Bramble said his purse for the bout is little more than $200,000. The fight at a 5,500-seat ballroom at the MGM Grand will start about 12:15 p.m. PST.

Bramble’s defense against Crawley was first scheduled May 26, but it was postponed when Bramble suffered an acute fracture of the right hand.