Complaint filed against Top Rank

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, July 12, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

As a result of Top Rank Boxing promoter Bob Arum's admission before the United States District Court in New Jersey that his firm paid the International Boxing Federation $200,000 to authorize a world-title fight, the State of Nevada has brought a formal complaint against the Las Vegas-based company.

Arum acknowledged paying the money in two installments to IBF president Bob Lee in order to have the IBF sanction a heavyweight fight between George Foreman and Axel Schulz in 1995 in Las Vegas. Arum made the admission in sworn testimony before the New Jersey court.

Because Schulz was not in the IBF's top 10 at the time, he needed an exemption to be sanctioned for the title fight.

Tuesday, the State of Nevada brought a formal complaint against Top Rank and the promotional firm now has 20 days to respond. After receiving that response, the Nevada State Athletic Commission will set a hearing date -- likely to be in August -- in which it will take testimony and make a decision on any penalties or repercussions directed toward Arum and/or Top Rank.

The NSAC will have the legal right to revoke Top Rank's promotional license in Nevada and to fine it up to $250,000.

On advice of his attorney, Arum declined to comment but Top Rank did issue a statement, which said, in part, "When Top Rank sought an exemption, requests commonly permitted and granted, for the Foreman-Schulz fight, president Lee demanded additional payments and two payments were made. Top Rank's president, Robert Arum, provided this information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation when he was interviewed about the IBF and president Lee. Both Mr. Arum and Top Rank believe that when all the facts concerning the conduct of president Lee are known, the allegations in the complaint will be resolved in a cooperative and amicable manner."