(INSIDEBOXING) The alleged wrongdoing of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and former president Bob Lee have been validated with fines and suspensions laid down by both the California Athletic Commission and the New York Athletic Commission for admitted payments made to the IBF for various forms of preferential treatment.

Promoters Bob Arum and Cedric Kushner both testified that they had ongoing negotiations with then president Lee regarding a bout between Arum’s fighter, George Foreman and Kushner’s fighter, Axel Schulz. The only thing in the way of such a match was having the IBF sanction the fight. Lee agreed to arrange to have the IBF sanction the bout for an additional fee.

According to court documents dated July 10^th, 2000, the Nevada Athletic Commission found that Bob Arum, as the president of TOP RANK, promoted George Foreman in the years 1994 and 1995. On November 5, 1994, Foreman won the IBF and WBA heavyweight titles by defeating Michael Moorer. Foreman then expressed interest in fighting unranked German heavyweight boxer Axel Schulz.

In December 1994 Bob Lee and Bob Arum met at the Mayfair Hotel in New York City. Also present at the hotel was STAN HOFFMAN a New York City boxing manager. During the meeting Arum was informed by Lee that a payment was needed, in addition to the normal sanction fee, in order for the IBF to sanction a bout between George Foreman (Arum’s fighter) and Axel Schulz. After a negotiating session lasting approximately 10 minutes Arum agreed to pay $200,000. One-half the money ($100,000) before the bout and the other half ($100,000) after the bout.

Sometime later Hoffman called Arum to inform him that Lee wanted the money paid in cash. Hoffman allegedly made arrangements with a European promoter named PETER BLAUMERT.

Two drafted checks ($50,000 each) in the name of Blaumert, endorsed by Arum, were to be cashed and the funds delivered to Hoffman. He would then turn over the cash proceeds to Arum. No evidence was produced to prove that Hoffman ever delivered proceeds of either the first or the second check to Lee. As a result of the agreed payments the IBF Executive Committee sanctioned the FOREMAN-SCHULZ bout.

On April 22, 1995, George Foreman did indeed fight and defeat Axel Schulz for the IBF heavyweight title.

"Upon learning that another IBF official had allegedly demanded and received $250,000 directly from Foreman in order to get the IBF to sanction the FOREMAN-SCHULZ bout, Arum asserts that he called Hoffman and told him to tell Lee that Arum refused to pay the second half of their $200,000 agreement", say court documents.

The factual allegations are contained within a declaration signed by Robert Arum on November 18, 1999, and/or derived from sworn testimony provided by Arum from June 5-8, 2000, in the case of United States of America vs. Robert W. Lee, Sr. and Robert Lee, Jr.

Excuse me, but I never saw this headline. I never heard the name George Foreman implicated in any alleged wrongdoing. These statements were all part of sworn testimony from various parties in an attempt to "get" the IBF and Bob Lee for improper business dealings. Why has no one held George Foreman accountable for his alleged violations? Why has there been no investigation into the alleged Foreman infractions?

The IBF has undergone a major restructuring. We know where they are. Bob Lee is no longer involved in professional boxing. We know where he is.

George Foreman…you tell me!

Boy Wonder

11/03/00