Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum has been addressing various questions from boxing fans in recent days and has now gone on record on one rather controversial topic from the past.
A long time ago Arum was linked with an alleged story that suggested he was involved in something he should not have been in boxing.
Speaking in an open Q and A forum on Reddit, one fan was keen to press him on the issue and asked the following:
Hi Bob, can you elaborate on the corruption with the sanctioning bodies in yesteryear? You’ve said that you had to pay the IBF bribes for ranks in the 80s. Is that still a thing in today’s boxing? You don’t have to elaborate on that one!
To which the Hall of Fame promoter responded:
“Well, I’m happy to say that that is no longer the case as far as I can see. Bribery was rampant a number of years ago. The President of the IBF was indicted by a federal grand jury and convicted, and the IBF is a very clean organization today as are the WBC, WBO, and WBA. Now, they may do things that I wouldn’t go along with or endorse, but that’s part of life. But because I disagree with a particular move that one might make, doesn’t mean that they’re corrupt. I don’t believe that there is corruption within these organizations.”
Arum is the longest-serving promoter in boxing today.
Arguably, he is one of the best of all time when you consider his longevity in bringing new talent through.
