Promoter: Jose Canseco sent twin to box

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 28 (UPI) -- Former major league baseball slugger Jose Canseco secretly sent his twin brother to fight for him in a Florida celebrity boxing match, its promoter claims.

A representative of Celebrity Boxing confirmed to El Nuevo Herald that it was Ozzie Canseco, rather than the former Oakland Athletics home run king, who unexpectedly showed up Saturday in Hollywood, Fla., for a match against Billy Padden.

The celebrity bout was on the undercard at the Passion Night Club, part of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

"Jose, who lives in Los Angeles, did not even bother to travel to South Florida," the unnamed representative said.

Attempts by El Nuevo Herald to reach the former player were unsuccessful.

The promoters called the police after uncovering the switcheroo, claiming they paid $5,000 to a man they believed to be Jose Canseco under false pretenses. Ozzie Canseco left the night club escorted by police, the newspaper reported.

"I'm very disappointed, especially for the way this has affected the fans and our company," Celebrity Boxing's Damon Feldman said. "First I want to talk to my lawyer to see what legal measures we can take."

Jose Canseco admitted steroid use in his book "Juiced."