Investigation of Forum Boxing Urged by Athletic Commission
In the wake of a Times story indicating irregularities in the handling of expense checks at Forum boxing shows, the California Athletic Commission has asked the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office to investigate Forum boxing.
The Nov. 22 Times story included allegations by 10 boxers, managers and trainers that assistant Forum matchmaker Merlin Petit had routinely accepted cash kickbacks from expense checks made out to boxing managers and trainers. The story also reported that at least one boxing manager had to make a cash payment to obtain a Forum bout for his boxer.
“We have asked the district attorney’s office to validate the information in The Times article,” said Richard DeCuir, commission executive officer. “Our understanding is they will shortly be assigning a team (of investigators) to look at Forum boxing financial records.”
Petit was suspended by the Forum staff and an in-house investigation of the Forum’s boxing program continues, a spokesman said Monday.
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