Larry Hazzard, the state's boxing commissioner, did not return calls seeking comment yesterday.

He last appeared as Pop Morrison, the boxing commissioner, in the 1970 film "The Great White Hope."

The boxing commissioner's position has been vacant since Gerald Gormley resigned and paid a $14,000 fine for ethical violations in March.

I was a boxing commissioner here in Miami Beach.

Shortly after the loss to Gavilan, Davey retired and became Michigan's boxing commissioner.

Newman openly describes boxing commissioners as "crooks" and says they take payoffs to rank other fighters ahead of his.

"Maybe if we had a boxing commissioner, it never would have come to this," said Nelson.

Day said a background in business is more important for a boxing commissioner than a background in medicine.

If I were a boxing commissioner, that's the first thing I would do.

But Davis said a boxing commissioner and promoter both told him, "As good as you are, you only need one eye."