
NEW YORK, MARCH 16: New York state is conducting three investigations into the controversial draw between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
State attorney general Eliot Spitzer, New York8217;s Athletic Commission and the state senate committee on investigations each announced probes today of the bout at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
While most observers thought Lewis clearly dominated the fight, two of the three judges disagreed. One had IBF and WBA champion Holyfield winning, another called it a draw, and the other had WBC champion Lewis winning.
The sport8217;s three sanctioning bodies have called for a re-match within six months amid suggestions that the fight was rigged.
Spitzer scheduled a hearing for Friday in New York city to hear from the three judges and others involved in the fight, which could include promoter Don King.
King denied he had anything to do with the judges, who are selected by the sanctioning bodies and can be replaced ifeither fighter objects.
Spitzer said he would hold the hearing in his capacity as chairman of a boxing task force within the National Association of Attorneys General.
The senate committee on investigations also has subpoena power to compel witnesses to appear. Chairman Roy Goodman said today he would hold a public hearing in the near future to take testimony from the three judges, referee Arthur Mercante Jr., the fight8217;s promoters and others familiar with the bout.