By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
(NJ State representative)

The NJ State Executive Commission on Ethical Standards revealed this week it is investigating State Attorney General Peter Harvey and State Athletic Control Board Chairman Gerald Gormley on reports that the state has no record on recipients of over 200 free ringside boxing seats worth $350.00 each.

Nicholas Lembo, an assistant attorney general assigned full-time to the SACB refused to comment saying "We're not going to discuss this in the press. We are subject to subpoena". Neither Lembo nor Gormley have refuted reports that Gormley had pressured boxing promoters for the free passes. Gormley's on record as saying he has no record of who received the free passes. The board chairman earns at least $80,000 a year. Prior to January 2002, Gormley earned $10,000 a year, as the job was part-time.

The investigation leads to Gormley and Harvey - Gormley for trafficking in tickets, Harvey for securing a pass for his wife, his State Police driver and two assistant attorney generals. Coincidentally Gormley's brother just happens to be State Senator William L. Gormley, R-Atlantic. Aside from being a fan Gormley has no experience or connection to boxing.

Boxing will never be taken seriously while our own commission won't follow the regulations - how about using the resources and energies to further advance boxer safety, hold symposiums with fighters on subjects like health insurance, personal finance and retirement pensions. It's time for New Jersey to ensure that their Athletic Control Board is comprised of qualified people whose # 1 priority is to the fighters, and their safety & well being. 200 tickets at $350.00 each - that $70,000.00 could have been a nice start!

Promoter Joe DeGuardia won his 2 arbitration cases this week. One involved Light Heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, resulting in Tarver's fight contract with DeGuardia's Yonkers, NY-based Star Boxing Promotions to be found valid and was extended through 2004, along with Tarver being responsible for payment to DeGuardia for lost fight purses. The other involved a fellow promoter whose actions the arbitrator found to be in violation of an existing DeGuardia contract. Congratulations are in order as Joe DeGuardia is one of boxing's good guys.

Former IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion Diego Corrales won his 4th consectutive fight - via the knockout route- and Corrales's comeback appears right on schedule. Look for "Chico" to be fighting for a title in the near future.

Don't look for an Oscar De La Hoya - Felix Trinidad rematch anytime soon. Former Champion Tridad says he will stay retired and has no desire to return to the ring.

Recent odds for the Lennox Lewis-Vitali Klitscho June 21st Heavyweight Championship fight have dropped from 6-1 to as low as 3-1 (for Lewis). Lewis tipping the scales at 256 1/2lbs - his heaviest weight ever - at Thursday's weigh-in, and the fact that he hasn't fought in over a year may have attributed to this recent swing towards the younger and taller Klitscho. Either way I see Lennox Lewis coming on strong in the middle rounds and predict a 7th or 8th round stoppage. How do you see it?

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