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Valiant Evander Holyfield was vanquished as he lost nine out of twelve rounds to Britisher Lennox Lewis who simply outmaneuvered lighter, smaller, and apparently slipping Holyfield. Lewis' style was completely effective as he jabbed well, picked spots and scored cleanly with right hand punches. Evander could not penetrate Lewis' defense. The extravaganza at the current and fourth Madison Square Garden, since the first one existed 116 years ago featuring the then heavyweight champion, John L. Sullivan, has earned the status of the world's most famous arena. And, indeed it was this past Saturday night when 21,000 people, 7,000 of whom where from England, with gate receipts in excess of 12 million dollars, made every boxing person feel the happy days were here again. That delusion was soon shatered by the decision that will live in infamy. It deprived Lennox Lewis and his thousands of fans of having a true champion crowned. As the scores were announced, everyone was completely surprised that England's Larry O'Connor voted the fight a Draw at 115-115. But then cam the bombshell which was heard in total disbelief from Eugenia Williams of New Jersey, who called the fight 115-113 for Evander Holyfield. (Surely, her scoring warrants investigation.) Judge Stanley Christodoulou accurately called it 116-113 for Lewis. Had we followed the procedure of the Nevada State Athletic Commission which assigns its own judges to title fights, we would have used one of our own competent New York State Athletic Commissions judges. The outcome would have been different in this contest. Authur Mercante, Jr., did an excellent job in handling a difficult main event. And, like father, like son, Arthur, Senior referred the very important fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, and set a standard of competency demostrated by his son, Arthur, Jr.

Other New York officials in other bouts were referees Jim Santa and Wayne Kelly, Judges Joe Dwyer, Melvina Lathan and Luis Rivera.

Again, plaudits to ringside commentator Roy Jones, Jr., for his very accurate analysis of what was really going on. He, like his counterparts Gil Clancy and Bobby Czyz relegate themselves to the fight and avoid all the meaningless commentary intended to protect the narrator rather than the fight itself. Roy was the first to say that Don King was the cluprit in this event. But, big money-producing promoters with no morality will make it impossible for the permanent survival of boxing. An impasse Safety Boxing Bill is passed in 1996 and the now pending Muhammad Ali Bill and the investigations by the Association of Attorney Generals will stem the tide of corruption that has been in existence for so long. There must be one governing body only. The Association of Boxing Commissioners which is legislated by law in their 46 respective states to govern and regulate boxing might be the answer to having one governing body, as exists in other sports. Another positive aspect of the ABC is the establishment of one set of rules of officiating a contest.

No promoter in anyplace in the world should be permitted to have any input whatsoever or influence on the selection of referees or judges for a boxing contest. This is the role of the state athletic commission only.

It's about time that people who are honest and truly know boxing in any state or other parts of the world not allow themselves to be snowed under for mney by a devious buffoon and criminal like Don King.

Right now and on scope should be a complete investigation of boxing judge Eugenia Williams of New Jersey. The following questions come to mine: when was she appointed and by whom - was her assignment influenced in any way by Don King - the list of bouts she has scored and where - comparison of her round by round score against the judge who scored in favor of Lewis and others like Harold Lederman, who scored either 9 or 10 rounds for Lewis. Ditto, also for the British boxing judge Larry O'Connell who called it a draw. When was Williamsassigned about scoring the main event and judge O'Connell, as well. Now that the fiasco has occurred, everyone in an authoritative position is up in arms. But, this great resurgence of boxing in New York was thwarted because the focus was on MONEY and not the true quality of sportmanship or integrity. You can't swim in shark infested waters or a snake pit and come out unscathed.

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