Mickey Vann in big trouble

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Feb 2004, 10:08

Steve Bunce
11 February 2004

Mickey Vann, arguably British boxing's top referee, will appear before a disciplinary hearing at the British Board of Control's office in Cardiff today to face 14 charges of bringing the sport into disrepute.

The charges against Vann emanate from his entertaining autobiography, Give Me A Ring, which was published in May 2003. Vann, a former boxer and ballroom dancer, has been the third man in over 370 title fights since taking charge for the first time as a referee in 1978.

He was the referee when Lennox Lewis retained his world championship against Frank Bruno in 1993 and recently he has been in the middle for eight of Ricky Hatton's World Boxing Union light-welterweight title fights, including the 2002 fight that saw him disqualify a boxer after being attacked in the ring by the fighter's father. In 1993, Vann was questioned by a special committee of the United States Senate about links between boxing and organised crime because he had officiated at fights that allegedly involved criminal activity.

"I know I'm a bit of an extrovert but I've never done anything wrong and it looks to me like the board has got it in for me," said Vann, who can be a referee for five more years under British rules.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 11 Feb 2004, 10:12

"bringing the sport into disrepute"

What a joke...coming from an organisation that saction Mike Tyson to fight in the UK.....

What's their policy?

"Don't officiate in fights linked to (possible) organised crime...but if you're a convicted rapist & thug...come onnnnn in!!"

BBBoC = Hypocritical tossers.

Priff · Post by **Priff** » 11 Feb 2004, 10:39

Vann's a colourful character, has been involved in controversy, and takes a lot of stick for being Hatton's personal referee.
He is clearly in a lot of trouble for this also. (somthing which is news to me).
But something he doesn't take any stick for, is his ring conduct. He really is a very competent referee. It would be a shame for him to have to leave the game. Cracking footwork. (must be all that dancing).

DIRT SUGAR · Post by **DIRT SUGAR** » 11 Feb 2004, 10:43

Bennie, what are the charges (or at least some of them). Is it something to do with what he said about fights he officiated in, because don't the Board not allow referees to talk to the press after a fight?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Feb 2004, 12:03

DIRT SUGAR wrote:Bennie, what are the charges (or at least some of them). Is it something to do with what he said about fights he officiated in, because don't the Board not allow referees to talk to the press after a fight?

I don't know I'm afraid, Dirt. The book was excellent because it was very honest and I suppose the old farts at the Board found it too near the knuckle. He said that Scottish referees were biased towards visiting fighters, and things like that.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 Feb 2004, 13:53

bennie wrote:
DIRT SUGAR wrote:Bennie, what are the charges (or at least some of them). Is it something to do with what he said about fights he officiated in, because don't the Board not allow referees to talk to the press after a fight?
I don't know I'm afraid, Dirt. The book was excellent because it was very honest and I suppose the old farts at the Board found it too near the knuckle. He said that Scottish referees were biased towards visiting fighters, and things like that.

Did dancing Vann mention in his book why he took a point away from Pernell Whitaker in his fight with JC Chavez for no reason ?. The ref did not take a point and VANN the judge did !..

Cost Pernell the fight !

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 11 Feb 2004, 14:37

Why don't these idiots make it clear what he is in trouble for instead of just the usual line of "Bringing the game into disrepute". If anyone would be involved in illegal activities then it strikes me Vann would be the man! He is a bit of a wide boy although i would like to read to his book, i am looking for some new material after finishing Eubank's. What is the full title anyone?