Wisconsin Cancels Pryor’s Comeback : Boxing: Fighter has been denied license elsewhere because of eye problems. State says the promoter failed to meet filing requirements.

Though never addressing his vision problem, the state of Wisconsin canceled former junior-welterweight champion Aaron Pryor’s fight tonight because his promoter failed to meet certain regulations.

Jon Henkes, a spokesman for Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, said the Department of Regulation and Licensing called off the fight after learning of “legal misrepresentations” by promoter Diana Lewis.

Henkes said a review showed that Lewis had not met state requirements for boxing promoters when she applied and received a license last November. He also said that when Lewis applied for a fight permit last month, she was not incorporated, as state laws require.

The entire boxing industry was howling for the fight to be called off because of an eye injury that led the four major boxing states to deny Pryor a license to fight.

Thompson had expressed reservations about the fight and legislators had called on the state to cancel the bout, saying it was a “sham” and would endanger Pryor’s life.

Don Ellis, Pryor’s manager, said he was informed that the fight had been canceled and that he was “waiting to get a handle” on the matter.

State boxing rules require a promoter to be incorporated in the state before applying for a permit, and such application must be made 30 days in advance of the fight.

Secretary of State Douglas LaFollette confirmed that Lewis did not file for incorporation until Tuesday afternoon.

Pryor, 34, has not fought since December, 1988, and is trying to return to the ring after a series of personal problems, including drug abuse and eye surgery for a detached retina and cataracts.

He was refused the right to box in New York, New Jersey, California and Nevada because of the eye problem.

Pryor said from his Madison hotel room that he was not aware the fight had been canceled.

“I’ve kind of been praying a lot trying to repent my life to God. It’s been a very difficult time for me, a very emotional time for me,” he said.

Lewis could not be reached for comment at her Madison office.