NEW YORK -- Manager Carlos 'Panama' Lewis has been banned from boxing and welterweight boxer Luis Resto has been suspended for at least a year by the New York State Athletic Commission for tampering with Resto's gloves in a June 16 fight at Madison Square Garden.
Lewis also trains Aaron Pryor, the World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion, and worked with three-time world champion Roberto Duran and former middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo. Another Resto cornerman, Pedro Alvarado, also has been banned by NYSAC Chairman Jack Prenderville.
A NYSAC investigation determined that Resto used illegal gloves to score a 10-round decision over previoulsy unbeaten Billy Collins on the undercard of Duran's victory over Davey Moore for the WBA junior middleweight title fight last month.
Collins suffered multiple facial injuries during the fight. The bout also was ruled a 'no decision' by the commission.
According to a statement released Friday by Prenderville, the testimony of Lewis and Alvarado at the June 29 public hearing contradicted reports of the New York State Police Academy and the Everlast Sporting Goods Manufacturing Company.
Lewis and Alvarado each testified that they inspected the gloves carefully before putting them on Resto's hands and found nothing wrong. The investigation revealed, however, that the gloves had less than an ounce of fiber and both gloves were slit three-quarters of an inch.
Alvarado signed for the gloves in the fighter's dressing room.
'Alvarado, having accepted the gloves, and Lewis, as chief second, were responsible for the safekeeping of the gloves,' read Prenderville's statement. 'The manager's and second's licenses of Carlos 'Panama' Lewis are permantly revoked effective immediately with the intent to effectively ban him from in any way being associated from the sport of boxing.
'The second's license of Pedro Alvarado is permanently revoked effective immediately with the intent to effectively ban him from in any way being associated with the sport of boxing.
'Resto's license is suspended indefinitely and for a minimum of one year.'
No action was taken against Arthur Salzman, who also worked Resto's corner in the bout. The investigation did not determine that Sazlman knew or should have known the gloves were tampered with.
Prenderville stated that the investigation shall remain open for the acceptance of any new information and that all other commissions and federations will be asked to recognizeand honor the determinations of the New York Commission.
Lewis also caused a furor last November during Pryor's title defense against Alexis Arguello when he was heard asking for a specially mixed preparation in Pryor's corner between rounds. Lewis said he has mixed some peppermint liquor with water because Pryor was suffering from stomach problems. No charges were brought against Lewis despite the fact that rules clearly state that only clear water may be given to fighters between rounds.
