Promoter and boxer indicted for fight fix

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

A boxing promoter and a fighter have been indicted on charges they fixed a boxing match in Las Vegas.

A federal grand jury in Las Vegas on Tuesday returned an indictment against Robert "Bobby" Mitchell, a South Carolina boxing promoter who has worked closely with major fight promoter Don King, and Thomas Williams, a professional boxer.

The two-count indictment charges the pair with federal sports bribery and conspiracy to commit sports bribery. Each count carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The indictment alleges that starting in March 1995, Mitchell and others conspired to fix boxing matches to assist the career of Richard Melito Jr. The indictment alleges that boxers agreed to intentionally lose their matches against Melito in exchange for money and other considerations.

The indictment alleges that Mitchell arranged for Williams to fight Melito on the undercard of the Aug. 12, 2000, Evander Holyfield-John Ruiz fight at the Paris hotel-casino.

Melito of Flushing, N.Y., knocked out Williams of Irmo, S.C., at 2:37 of the first round to improve his pro ring record to 34-1 with 23 KOs. Williams fell to 25-9.

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