Newz Forum: BOXING: Boxing Manager Pleads to Fixing Fights

A well-known boxing manager has pleaded guilty to fixing fights and trying to pay a federal prosecutor and judge $15,000 to have a case against one of his indicted boxers dismissed, authorities said Monday.

Robert Mittleman, 61, of Oak Park, Ill., pleaded guilty to two counts of sports bribery and one count of bribery of a public official, according to a plea memo unsealed by court order last week and made public on Monday.

Mittleman admitted that he arranged for boxer Thomas Williams, also known as Top Dog, to lose a match with Brian Nielsen in Denmark on March 31, 2000, the guilty plea memo states.

Mittleman said Mogens Palle, a Danish boxing promoter, contacted him to set up the fight.

Williams lost the match in the third round and was paid up to $40,000 by Palle for throwing the fight. Mittleman was paid $1,000 to arrange the fight, according to the plea memo.

Mittleman also admitted that in July 2000, at the request of boxing promoter Robert Mitchell, he arranged for Williams to lose an Aug. 12, 2000, boxing match against Richie Melito Jr. in Las Vegas.

Williams lost to Melito in the first round. Mittleman was paid $1,000 to fix the fight, and Williams got $15,000 for taking a dive, the plea agreement said.

The two fought on the undercard of the Evander Holyfield-John Ruiz WBA heavyweight title fight.

After learning that Williams had been indicted on federal sports bribery charges, Mittleman contacted an undercover officer in Las Vegas on Oct. 30, 2003. He told the officer he would pay an assistant U.S. attorney and a U.S. District Court judge $15,000 to drop the case.

Mittleman gave the undercover officer $3,000 as a down payment, authorities said.

Mittleman, who briefly managed Oscar de la Hoya when he turned pro after the 1992 Olympics, will be sentenced July 26 before U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones.

He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the sports bribery charge, and up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on the bribery of a public official charge.

Mittleman was released on his own recognizance pending sentencing.

The plea memo indicates that Mittleman will testify in the trial of Williams and fight manager Robert Mitchell, who are both charged in federal court with sports bribery and conspiracy to commit sports bribery. Their trial is scheduled for August.



Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.