Back in 1980,,,,,,, An investigative report found the following; WBC Officials were paid between $1200 and $1500 for judging WBC Championship bouts. Usually a fee of $2500 was paid for the Heavyweight Championship, and any 'major' lower weight class bout. WBA Officials were paid differently. $800 to $1200 for the Referee, and $400 to $800 for the Judges. This, also included all expenses, and accomodations at the 'finer Hotels' in the host city. But, the Officials, were told, either subtly or directly, that they either lean in the 'right' direction, or the Organizations will go somewhere else. If you like the 'nice' paycheck, and 'upscale accomodations' you were told 'Play Ball.'
And yet, these two organisations are still going strong. Sickening. That's another thing I'll miss about Bert Sugar...the way he used to denounce Sulaiman and his merry band of thieves at every given opportunity. (And King too.)
In 1980 and 1981 The Heads of these 'Two Nickel and Dime Outfits' WBC = Jose Sulaiman (Mexico) WBA = Fernando 'Mandry' Galindez (Venezuela) The WBA, also had its 'two robbers', Dr. Elias Cordova (Panama) Rodrigo Sanchez (Panama) As they demanded, and got, exorbitant santioning fee's, plus lavish expenses for 'Title Fight Observers.' If the officials selected to 'officiate' Title Bouts wanted to keep their 'gig' of excellent pay, plus an all-expense trip around the world, they had to 'Play Ball', or the 'Organizations' will go elsewhere, to more 'cooperative' Judges and Referee's. It was,,,,,,,,,a 100% straight buy-out.
The results are that few networks want to televise bouts unless they are "world championship fights" if such a thing really exists any longer, so even while excoriating these organizations, they usually only televise their championship bouts.
Don King aligning himself with the WBC Bob Arum aligning himself with the WBA Corrupt and bogus fighter ratings, numerous controversial decisions. Rematch clauses to get fights, fight purse fee's put in escrow to guarantee the return match. The 'organizations' violating their own rules about 'mandatory title defenses' within 6-Months.
I think Eusebio Pedroza was a great fighter, but I always felt he was coddled a bit by the WBA. The fact that he got through Lockridge (x2 very close fights), Laporte (should have been disqualified if not arrested), Taylor (horrible effort by both) unscathed is enough evidence for me. But I think bad decisions have always plagued the sport and I don't know that it was any worse then. The real crime of those sanctioning bodies at the time was their inept and biased ratings which drove horrible matchmaking. Eijiro Murata was an excellent fighter, but his third title crack at Chandler was unecessary. Speaking of Chandler opponents, Miguel Iriarte (a Panamanian by the way), did not belong in a championship fight. Jorge Lujan, a Panamanian, was recycled three times for title shots after losing his title to Julian Solis. In addition to their biased ratings and unwarranted title shots, the most unforgivable sin was that the WBA/WBC & Arum/King did not play well together and did not make matches that absolutely had to be made such as: Pintor/Chandler Sanchez/Pedroza Saad/Mustafa Holmes/weaver II and or Coetzee.
Don't forget the WBA's 'sacred son',,,,,,,,,,,Ernesto Espana,,,,,,, After winning the vacant WBA Lightweight Championship in 1979, he gets 'blasted' by Hilmer Kenty. Then the guy was the WBA Lightweight 'mandatory challenger', for what seemed like every TV fight in 1980 and 1982.
Lol Pepe, I meant to mention him and DID forget. You read my mind. He was sacrificed to Mancini at a Youngstown/****** football stadium I believe.
Natonic,,,,,, Ernesto Espana,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,'The WBA's 'eternal' #1 Lightweight Contender' A Venezuelan, living in Puerto Rico, and managed by 'former felon' Pepito Cordero. Pepito Cordero was close friends with WBA Officials, Dr. Elias Cordova and Rodrigo Sanchez. Ernesto Espana, was somewhat impressive in 1979, by defeating Claude Noel for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title, and an 'off-the-floor' Knock-out of Chicago tough-guy Johnny Lira in his only successful WBA Title defense. But, in 1980, the slender Hilmer Kenty just walked through him to take away his WBA Title. But, the WBA places him back as the #1 Challenger, without fighting or defeating anyone, and he gets to fight Hilmer Kenty again,,,,,,,,,only to be stopped quicker. Enter 1982, when #1 WBA Ernesto Espana is again, the WBA mandatory challenger when he faced new Champion, Arturo Frias. Arturo Frias wins on a Technical Decision, by a cut, and the WBA mandates an immediate rematch. With a 'big money fight' in the wings between Arturo Frias and Ray Mancini, Bob Arum pays Ernesto Espana and his manager $50,000 in 'step aside money'. Pepito Cordero accepts the cash, as long as Ernesto Espana is guaranteed the next bout. Ray Mancini of course wins, and guess who emerges as the #1 WBA Lightweight Challenger, and now with a $100,000 fight purse. Ernesto then gets battered by Ray Mancini, and gets stopped TKO 6, but Ernesto Espana and his manager Pepito Cordero complain that Mancini had land punches after the bell ending Round 6, and that the bout should be declared a 'No Contest' or Mancini should be Disqualified. Pepito Cordero, with his WBA connections puts the squeeze on,,,,,,,and asks for a rematch within 120-Days, and that Ray Mancini cannot have another bout in between. And since there was a foul, that the fight purses be split evenly. The WBA, caving in, keeps Ernesto Espana at #1 and mandate a rematch,,,,,,until someone gives Ernesto Espana and Pepito Cordero $35,000 to go away,,,,,,,which they do. Ernesto Espanas on Television; June 16, 1979...........TKO 13......Claude Noel August 4, 1979..........TKO 9.......Johnny Lira March 2, 1980...........L TKO 9.....Hilmer Kenty September 20, 1980....L TKO 4....Hilmer Kenty January 30, 1982........L TD 9.....Arturo Frias July 24, 1982.............L TKO 6....Ray Mancini Can you imagine one more WBA Lightweight bout with Ernesto Espana.
