November 22, 2002, Simi Valley, CA

As an advocate for professional boxers, we find no fault with any state athletic commission that must make difficult decisions, especially when they are decisions that affect the safety of the sport and the athlete. We only wish that the fines would be given to the commissions to fund programs that benefit the sport of boxing rather than becoming a windfall for the state's general fund.

The commissioners may have the authority and power to regulate the sport, but they do not have the power to influence the politicians that appoint them. As long as commissioners remain political appointees, under the direction of the state, the power over the money remains with those who do not have the best interest of the sport in mind. They can say that they do, but until they use the fine money earned on the backs of fighters, their  words will remain political rhetoric. Imagine how many baseline MRI's Mike Tyson's $3 million fine would pay for? Fernando Vargas could have financed a free Boxing Safety Conference, or buy safety gear for a dozen amateur boxing clubs. The Nevada State Athletic Commission's budget has been cut this year. They need a new computer.

The Retired Boxers Foundation urges everyone to write to their local newspapers and their legislators to make them do the right thing for the fighters. The future of the sport and the ability to reform the sport from the inside out, depends on the ability to properly fund programs. The fighters earned the money, and when they make a mistake, they should pay the fine, but all off us would feel better if it resulted in something good for the sport instead of the state.

Respectfully,
 

Jacquie Richardson (email)
Executive Director
RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION
(805) 583-5890