RBF Corner
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
(NJ State representative)

Lennox Lewis will fight # 1 ranked mandatory contender Vitali Klitschko for the WBO/IBO Heavyweight Championship on June 21st at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca. Lewis's original opponent Kirk Johnson was forced to pull out of the bout due to injury.

Which brings my question: Why not Chris Byrd?
Chris Byrd, the IBF Heavyweight Champ deserves his shot at Lennox Lewis. Lewis, at 6'5" and weighing 250 lbs, says a fight against the smaller Byrd (6'1", 210lbs.) doesn't interest him - yet he is looking to fight the even smaller Roy Jones Jr. (?) and as far as Lewis' next opponent Vitali Klitschko, Bryd beat him three years ago! If Lennox Lewis wants to go around saying he is the best fighter on the planet he has to stop ducking Chris Bryd.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission unanimously instituted a policy of mandatory brain scans prior to a fighter being granted a license. This would require the fighter to pay the $425 themselves, and has also led to controversy. Promoters have already cancelled some fight cards in Las Vegas as a result.

Haven't the fighters paid enough already? The state of Nevada (all states for that matter), as well as the promoters, managers, HBO, Showtime,etc. have all made money off the backs of the fighters.

Alex Ramos, former USBA middleweight champion and the founder of the non-profit Retired Boxers Foundation, wants the fines imposed on professional boxers to be used to pay for boxer safety issues. "It makes no sense to fine boxers and give the money to the state" states Ramos. "That money should be used to improve the sport and make it safer, to impose a $425 fee on a boxer who makes less than $800 for a fight does not make good business sense. The fight game is good for the Nevada economy…you think they could show some respect to the athletes and at least let them keep the money they already earned once-in the sport of boxing."

The Retired Boxers Foundation fully endorses any efforts to protect the athletes and to improve the safety of the sport, HOWEVER, the "RBF" contends that the athletes have already "paid their dues".

Scratch that James Toney vs. Bernard Hopkins classic battle, which was slated for August 9th at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It appears that Hopkins and promoter Dan Goosen can't reach equitable financial terms.

The Kostya Tszyu - Sharmba Mitchell Jr.Welterweight Championship fight scheduled for September 27th will be delayed till Nov.-Dec. due to Tszyu's injured Achilles' tendon.

Arturo Gatti - Mickey Ward lll lived up to all the expectations of the boxing public. These two warriors will be forever linked, not just for the three epic battles they fought but for the true sportsmanship, class and love for boxing that both these great guys have exhibited throughout their careers.

Mickey Ward has officially announced his retirement, while Gatti signed a 4-fight deal with Main Events promotions just prior to the Ward fight.

It was hard watching heavyweight Michael Grant fight on the undercard of the Gatti-Ward rubber match. At one time, not too long ago, Grant was a rising star and his potential was unlimited. To see him take a beating at the hands of up-and-coming Dominick Guinn was difficult, as Grant has always been one of the nicest guys in boxing. Everyone was rooting for Michael Grant.

It's obvious after his 4 knockdown, 7th round knockout loss that Michael's once promising career is finished. Michael is an intelligent, multi-talented person who will shine in his future endeavors.

That's it for this week in boxing: any comments or questions concerning fights, fighters, etc. I can be reached here at "All About Bergen" or via e-mail at RBFNJMIKE@aol.com, keep the faith and never give up - Mike