Kushner hit with fine of $175,000

Dean Juipe

Monday, Nov. 27, 2000 | 10:50 a.m.

Boxing promoter Cedric Kushner was fined $175,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission at its meeting today, the result of his admitted bribes to the International Boxing Federation.

Testifying in the federal government's fraud, racketeering, tax conspiracy and bribery trial against the IBF that concluded last summer, Kushner said he paid IBF president Bob Lee $2,500 to $10,000 "several times" and $100,000 in one instance in exchange for the IBF sanctioning a George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz heavyweight title fight.

Similar admissions were made by another promoter, Bob Arum, although the government's case against Lee fizzled and he was convicted on lesser charges after 27 felony counts against him brought acquittals.

Arum was disciplined by the NSAC in August and was fined $125,000 for bringing "dishonor" to the sport. He also voluntarily contributed another $50,000 to several youth organizations, and was placed on six-months' probation.

Kushner's fine was greater than the one assessed to Arum for two reasons: He was more of a "repeat offender" with his IBF bribes and at $175,000 it actually equals Arum's fine plus his charitable contribution.

The NSAC granted Kushner's request to pay the fine off in three installments. He has been placed on six months' probation, during which he will not be allowed to have any dressing room, weigh-in or ring contact with fighters.

"I was placed in an usual situation," Kushner said in reference to the second Foreman-Schulz fight, which never happened. "My desire was to protect my fighters. They told me without paying the money, the rematch would not happen.

"It was a difficult situation for me. At the time, I didn't know how to handle it."

A third boxing promoter, Dino Duva, had also confessed to bribing the IBF and he may yet be fined by the NSAC as well. A fourth promoter, Don King, was an unindicted co-conspirator in the government's trial and the NSAC has not yet decided whether to take disciplinary action against him.