Michigan Athletic Board of Control Initiates Formal Complaint Against Boxer Emanuel Augustus

Contact: Maura Campbell 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Administrative Rule 236(2) of the Michigan Athletic Board of Control mandates that a Formal Complaint must be initiated once the state agency receives a positive toxicology report following a boxing match.  Emanuel Augustus, who is licensed under the name Emanuel Burton, has received a copy of the Complaint and could face a 90-day suspension and/or fine if administrative action determines he is in violation of the Michigan Occupational Code, and Rules regulating professional boxing.

The Athletic Board of Control, which is part of DLEG's Bureau of Commercial Services, is responsible for licensing and regulating all aspects of boxing in the State of Michigan, including judges, boxers, timekeepers, announcers and promoters.

"Regardless of who the boxer is or where they are from, state law requires our department to take action against any boxer testing positive for drugs in order to preserve the integrity of the sport. Administrative action against boxers, like other professionals regulated by the state, can be a lengthy process because we want to ensure due process for the licensee.," DLEG Director David C. Hollister said. "It is important to stress that Augustus' complaint will have absolutely no bearing on the Athletic Board of Control's ongoing review of the Augustus v. Burton bout since the focus will be on the fairness and competency of officials who were refereeing and judging the match."

The Athletic Board of Control has moved up its next regularly scheduled meeting to Tuesday, August 31 to review a video tape of the bout and talk about the officiating to DLEG staff who were in attendance at the boxing show. The bout, televised nationally by ESPN2, has already been the focus of controversy since it 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 department has received numerous calls and emails from boxing fans in Michigan, Canada and other countries criticizing the officiating at the match.

For more information about the Michigan Athletic Board of Control, please visit:

http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-10557_12992_13912---,00.html

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