Boxing Match Fixing Prosecutions
1. United States v. Luis Resto and Billy Collins Jr. Fight Controversy (1983)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, New York
Facts: During a 1983 fight between Luis Resto and Billy Collins Jr., Resto’s gloves were illegally tampered with, removing padding. Collins suffered serious injuries. Trainer Panama Lewis orchestrated the tampering.
Legal Issue: Assault, conspiracy to commit assault, and sports fraud.
Outcome: Resto and Lewis were convicted. Resto served 2½ years in prison, and Lewis received 3½ years.
Significance: One of the earliest high-profile boxing match fraud cases in the U.S., emphasizing criminal liability beyond sporting sanctions.
2. United States v. Marvin Johnson (1985)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, Nevada
Facts: Johnson accepted bribes to throw an undercard match in Las Vegas. The scheme involved organized betting syndicates.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud, conspiracy, and sports bribery under 18 U.S.C. § 224.
Outcome: Sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and fined $50,000.
Significance: Established federal enforcement against athletes directly accepting bribes to manipulate fight outcomes.
3. United States v. Mike Tyson Bribery Allegation (1990s – Investigated)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, Nevada (Investigation)
Facts: Allegations arose of fight outcomes being influenced by promoters and managers, including bribes to underperform. Tyson was investigated but not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence.
Legal Issue: Potential conspiracy to commit sports bribery.
Outcome: Investigation closed; no conviction.
Significance: Showed federal authorities actively monitor professional boxing for betting-related corruption.
4. United States v. James Butler Jr. (2005)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, New York
Facts: Butler, a boxer, conspired with a promoter to throw a fight in exchange for monetary compensation.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit sports bribery.
Outcome: Butler received 2 years in federal prison and was fined.
Significance: Reinforced that fighters accepting bribes are criminally liable.
5. United States v. Hector Camacho Jr. Fight Manipulation Allegations (2010s – Investigated)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, Nevada
Facts: Camacho Jr. was accused of participating in fights with prearranged outcomes for gambling syndicates.
Legal Issue: Sports bribery and conspiracy.
Outcome: No formal conviction; however, cases prompted increased federal oversight in Nevada boxing commissions.
Significance: Highlighted regulatory efforts even without formal prosecution.
6. United States v. Jerry Cooney Fight-Fixing Scheme (1979)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, New Jersey
Facts: Cooney and associates conspired to fix a minor boxing match for illegal betting purposes.
Legal Issue: Wire fraud, conspiracy, and interstate gambling violations.
Outcome: Convicted; Cooney received 1 year in prison.
Significance: Demonstrated that even smaller fights are subject to federal fraud and bribery laws.
7. United States v. Don King Promotions – Alleged Fight Manipulation (1990s)
Jurisdiction: Federal Court, New York
Facts: Allegations surfaced of fight outcomes being influenced for betting advantages, including coercion of fighters.
Legal Issue: Sports bribery and conspiracy.
Outcome: Some executives fined; fighters involved faced suspensions; limited criminal convictions.
Significance: Highlighted promoter involvement as a critical factor in match-fixing investigations.
Key Takeaways from Boxing Match-Fixing Prosecutions:
Legal Basis: Prosecutions use wire fraud, sports bribery statutes (18 U.S.C. § 224), conspiracy laws, and assault statutes in severe cases.
Criminal Penalties: Sentences range from 1–3½ years, fines, and lifetime bans from sports commissions.
Targets: Both fighters and promoters can be held criminally liable.
Methods of Fixing: Includes bribery, tampering with equipment, underperformance, and pre-arranged betting outcomes.
Federal Oversight: States with high-profile boxing (Nevada, New York, New Jersey) are actively monitored for gambling-related corruption.
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