After Three Postponements, Bramble Will Fight Crawley

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.