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Updated: January 15, 3:38 PM ET Matchmaker under investigation for bribing boxers ESPN.com news services |
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As controversy swirls around an FBI and New York Police Department investigation into the business practices of boxing promoter Bob Arum and his Top Rank company, Arum has reportedly fired one of the organization's matchmakers. The Los Angeles Times reports that Sean Gibbons, one of the Top Rank employees being investigated by the ongoing boxing probe, was fired Monday. Gibbons, who worked under primary matchmaker Bruce Trampler, allegedly asked two heavyweights to deliberately lose fights, according to a 1999 Miami Herald story. Gibbons has rebutted that charge, the Times reported Tuesday. Andre Smiley told the Herald that Gibbons offered him bonuses to take falls in matches, and Mike Smith told the Oklahoma Department of Labor that Gibbons often asked him to throw fights. According to the Times, Gibbons has said those accusations were "a complete lie." Last week, Arum's Las Vegas office was raided by FBI agents, who seized computers, medical records, fight tapes, contracts and other financial documents. Top Rank employees are working under the assumption their offices are bugged. Officials are investigating allegations that Top Rank employees or individuals associated with the company may have fixed fights, tampered with weight scales and forged medical documents. Meanwhile, the New York Daily News reported on Monday that at least a dozen Las Vegas fighters and promoters may be indicted in connection with a separate investigation. The paper reports that charges could be levied as early as May following the 20-month probe, known as Operation Match Book, which uncovered instances in which fights allegedly were fixed, medical records forged and officials bribed.
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