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Michigan Athletic Board of Control to Review Augustus v. Burton Boxing Bout Held in Muskegon on July 6th
Press Release (July 7, 2004)
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JULY 7, 2004 - Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director David Hollister and Athletic Board of Control Chairperson Brad Wright have called for an Athletic Board of Control review of the professional boxing bout between Emanuel Augustus and Courtney Burton held last evening at Muskegon’s L.C. Walker Arena.
The bout, televised nationally by ESPN2, drew the ire of viewers and ESPN2 commentators, concerning the conduct of the referee and the split decision of the judges who awarded the win to Benton Harbor boxer Courtney Burton. The Bureau of Commercial Service’s Athletic Board of Control is responsible for licensing and regulating all aspects of boxing in the State of Michigan, including judges, boxers, timekeepers, announcers and promoters.
&#We’ve received numerous e-mails and telephone calls from boxing fans from the U.S. and Canada concerning the officiating at this bout,” Hollister said. “While we have not received a challenge to the judge’s decision from boxer Emanuel Augustus, we have received enough input from boxing fans to warrant a review. Athletic Board of Control members will be asked at a future meeting to review a video tape of the bout and discuss the issue further with DLEG staff who were in attendance at the boxing show.”
Under Athletic Board of Control Administrative rules, a decision that is rendered at the termination of a boxing contest shall not be changed without a hearing. Although the next regularly scheduled board meeting is not until September 16, 2004, the Department and the board chairperson have the authority to call a special meeting prior to that date. No special meeting date has been scheduled as of today.
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