Was the first week of November... year 1999... and boxing in the news on two fronts... only way it can be these days... the ol' "F" word ... as in "FIX."

First a November 3 Associated Press wire story that ran in the New York Post ... shouted about fighters admitting to tossing bouts... and then the names... talk about disappointment!

Tony Fulilangi, Andre Smiley, Mike Smith, Tim Murphy and James Calvin Baker were those quoted in the story as accepting bribes to go wading.

Fulilangi, described as a once world-ranked heavyweight - and isn't that a stretch - told of faking a second round knockout by George Foreman during a 1998 meeting in Marshall, Texas.

And Andrew Smiley... no specifics... said only that he once made mucho dinero while treading water from 1990 to 1997... a regular Esther Williams this guy... and how about that minimally renowned Tim Murphy guy?. Claimed he tossed his 1991 spat with former NY Jets footballer Mark "Mutt" Gastineau... and didn't that alleged bit of larceny boost the fistic career of ol' mighty-mutt Mark.

Funniest of all was in reading the James Calvin Baker story... a "little-known" heavy that owned up to splish-splashing in four bouts... actually claimed to have gone into the tank for none other than one Eric Esch aka "Butterbean."

And then November 5 and in the news over the magic lantern and print media came the shout... Feds indict IBF Prexy Bob Lee ... word is they have evidence that Bobby baby and several cohorts have been accepting bribes to adjust its ratings.

No surprise here if charges are proven... anyone perusing a monthly Ring Magazine and turning to respective WBA, WBC, IBF rankings will clearly spot a visible oddity.

Example: While Evander Holyfield owns both WBA and IBF titles he's not even listed among the WBC top-tens ...ditto Lennox Lewis not numbered among WBA and IBF while king of WBC.

Similar scenarios are reflected in most other weight classes ... welterweights ... a past issue had neither Trinidad, De La Hoya, Quartey listed among other fighter's association top tens while all three were respective IBF, WBA, WBC champions.

And so, in light of recent revelations of crookedness, perhaps with luck... as in mucho luck ... a major change could be unveiled come the new millennium... as in a return to a similar format of yesteryears.

No need for the original eight divisions arrangement... can still have 17 belts up for grabs... but that's it ... a single champ at each weight class... and let the games begin!

Keep the faith guys and gals.

Semper fi,

Geo. El

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