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California State Athletic Commission backs shady promoters & watches a scandal brew in Oxnard

By Zach Arnold | September 24, 2012

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And here I thought my weekend was going to be a relaxed one with the UFC 152 PPV on the television schedule. I should have known better.

On Saturday night, I received numerous phone calls about CSAC-related problems with two shows – the Friday ShoBox event at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California and a Saturday boxing show at Pacifica High School in Oxnard, California. These aren’t exactly major events on the fighting calendar, but each show demonstrated regulatory problems caused by decisions made from Chief Athletic Inspector Che Guevara and others in the Sacramento office. When I hammer home the fact that Guevara’s leadership has been terrible, I can point to any number of examples demonstrating why this guy is in way over his head. Like the fact that many inspectors don’t know how to properly calculate a box office, costing the state of California up to 7-figures in cash. Instead, the front office is worried about nickle & dime BS like money from $50 fighter licenses instead of hundereds of thousands of dollars at the box office. We know there is a major problem with certain inspectors who can’t figure out how to detect illegal hand-wraps or skinned gloves, which of course is a natural result given that Che Guevara got a promotion at CSAC after he missed Antonio Margarito’s illegal hand wraps… right in front of his face. So, that kind of cheating is rampant throughout the state of California and can result in significant head trauma. Of course, the front office is more concerned about manipulating fighter paperwork that they’ve lost in order to cover their asses. Backdating paperwork. Great situational ethics there.

Oh, did I fail to mention that there hasn’t been any sort of training sessions for inspectors in over a year? You might want to teach the new inspectors how to do drug testing correctly. Way to do your job, CSAC.

I bring up all of this not because you should care about a bunch of faceless Sacramento hacks who take no responsibility for their actions. I bring up these developments because there are real life consequences for fighters who are now on the receiving end of some of the worst combat sports regulatory practices in the entire country. And not only that, but the inspectors who are doing their best to be professional at California shows are short-staffed & railroaded by horrible political decisions made from Denise Brown, Awet Kidane, and the legal department at the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Two examples of live events from this past weekend’s slate of shows in California bear out the fruit of Sacramento’s horrible decision making that is costing fighters their safety & their shows purses.

Slipping through the cracks in Chumash

At the ShoBox event in Chumash on Friday night, there was a curious development in the fight between Roman Morales and Jonathan Arellano. Arellano was sporting a knee brace to the ring and was allowed to wear it during the early stages of his fight. He shouldn’t have been allowed to do so, as per California rules there is a health & safety issue regarding the plastic on the knee brace possibly injuring the opponent. The knee brace was initially spotted by lead inspector Dave Rasmussen, who was sitting at the table doing paperwork. Inspector Rick Estrada was sent to Arelleno’s corner and asked trainer Henry Ramirez if the brace was approved by a member of the commission. It wasn’t approved by a member of CSAC at this particular show. So, the knee brace was removed and Arellano fought the rest of the bout on a gimpy knee.

Was it the end of the world that the inspectors initially missed Arellano wearing a knee brace? No. In fact, I’m happy they caught the error and resolved the matter. No harm, no foul. There would have been a problem, however, if Arellano had protested and said he wouldn’t remove the knee brace. The fight would have been stopped then.

The reality is more and more people in the combat sports industry are learning what we have been warning about, which is that the new “3 inspector policy” crafted by CSAC Chairman John Frierson and Sacramento’s front office has created absolute chaos on the ground at shows. In a building like Chumash where you have multiple dressing rooms to supervise, it is absolutely impossible for three inspectors to do the job when eight or more are needed to handle everything from drug testing to hand wraps to glove inspections. Because of having three inspectors per show, you end up with things falling through the cracks and mistakes happening that should have never happened in the first place. This doesn’t fall on the inspectors — this falls on Che Guevara, who simply doesn’t know what the hell he is doing when it comes to regulating shows and how many inspectors are needed. If he does know, he doesn’t have the guts to stand up and speak out.

Thankfully, no one was injured by the mistake and the fight went on as it should have. However, there will be a mistake sooner rather than later at a show in California that will result in a fighter getting severely injured or killed. This is the trajectory that CSAC is on right now because things are spinning out of the control. The inspectors will be the first ones to tell you so. The problem is that no one in Sacramento wants to pick up the phone and take their call. It’s only a matter of health & safety for fighters.

An “Oh s&^!” moment in Oxnard

The following scenario is a direct result of the decision making made by Che Guevara and others in the front office of the California State Athletic Commission.

El Dorado Entertainment is an entity that is new to the promotional game. Last January, the Ventura County Star newspaper listed the promoter as a man named Armando Renteria. Renteria is the media front man for the operation. BoxRec even lists Armando Renteria as a promoter. The first show under the El Dorado banner happened on February 25th at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme, California. They ran a show in May at the same venue. The reason it’s called El Dorado Entertainment is due in part to Renteria owning a restaurant in downtown Oxnard with the same name (El Dorado).

Despite Armando Renteria being labeled as the promoter, his business partner Raul Orozco is the man who has the promoter’s license — or at least that’s what the fighters booked for the El Dorado shows believe.

Orozco, according to one CSAC source, reportedly failed to show up for his first El Dorado event back in February because he was supposedly mad at this business partner. A promoter not showing up for his own debut event?

Renteria, as noted in this Fight News report, is the manager for boxer Jose Aguiniga. The B & P Code states the following:

18673. (a) All applications for a manager’s license shall contain a true statement of all persons connected with, or having a proprietary interest in, the management of the boxer or martial arts fighter.

(b) Any application for a manager’s license shall be signed under penalty of perjury by the sole proprietor, a general partner, or an officer of the corporation or association, as the case may be.

18674. All managers shall submit in writing, for prior approval by the commission, any change at any time in the persons connected with or having a proprietary interest in the management of the boxer or martial arts fighter, including any change in the shareholders of a corporate entity.

While El Dorado Entertainment is a new name in the fight game, Renteria has been around the scene before. As this Sherdog press release and Ventura County Star article demonstrate, Renteria tried to get into the MMA scene in 2009 with partner Rene Carranco. Carranco ended up doing his own thing under the National Fight Alliance banner. Where is Carranco running shows at? Ironically enough, at least for this article, at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. It’s a small world, after all.

Fly-by-night promoters in the fight business isn’t a new phenomena. Hang around long enough in pro-wrestling, MMA, or boxing and you’ll find a million horror stories about promoters. There’s nothing new with this angle to the story. However, stick with me here and you’ll discover where CSAC comes into play.

After the first El Dorado event in Port Hueneme, some of the checks to fighters reportedly bounced. After the second El Dorado event at the same building last May, more checks allegedly bounced — including checks supposedly to commission officials (like doctors, time keepers, judges, referees).

Instead of suspending the promoter’s license, asking the commission to revoke it or taking any kind of corrective or disciplinary action, Che Guevara & the front office allowed Orozco to continue promoting as if bounced checks to officials and fighters was OK.

So, why was Orozco allowed to keep his license? According to multiple sources at the commission (on background), an idea was formulated to allow Orozco to continue promoting shows as long as he paid commission officials with certified/cashier’s checks. However, there apparently wasn’t a guarantee to pay the fighters with cashier’s checks. El Dorado agreed to this condition and proceeded to promote an event for this past Saturday in Oxnard, California at Pacifica High School.

Background information for an Armando Renteria in Port Hueneme

An online search for a Armando Renteria in Port Hueneme turned up the following.

Business records with the state of California show that an Armando in Port Hueneme has a suspended corporation (not related to his fight promotion).

Entity Name: JET LIFTING SYSTEMS, INC.
Entity Number: C3038630
Date Filed: 04/10/2008
Status: SUSPENDED
Jurisdiction: CALIFORNIA
Entity Address: 261 E. PORT HUENEME RD.
Entity City, State, Zip: PORT HUENEME CA 93041
Agent for Service of Process: ARMANDO RENTERIA
Agent Address: 261 E. PORT HUENEME RD.
Agent City, State, Zip: PORT HUENEME CA 93041

What a suspended corporation means:

The impact of a corporation being placed in suspended status is substantial. When a corporation is suspended, it has lost all rights and privileges as a corporation and cannot legally operate. In that regard, technically a suspended corporation is required to close its business and stop all business related activity. Moreover, a suspended corporation cannot sue or defend any action in court. Furthermore, a suspended corporation that provides a service, or goods, to third parties while suspended may not be able to collect payment for such services or goods since the suspended corporation technically was not permitted to engage in any business transactions.

A California corporation can be placed back in good standing after its has been suspended by being revived or reinstated. Until the corporation corrects its suspended status, the corporation is prohibited from transacting business and any contract executed by a suspended corporation is voidable at the demand of the other party. The only exceptions to the loss of corporate privileges upon suspension are that the corporation may (1) change its name by amendment to its Articles of Incorporation and (2) apply to the Franchise Tax Board for tax exempt status.

In the June 22nd, 2012 edition of The Antelope Valley Times, check out this arrest log:

Arrested by LA County Sheriff’s Department – Lancaster Station

Armando Renteria, 42, Male, Hispanic of Port Hueneme, CA
2:05 p.m., 6-20-2012
487(A)/PC/F GRD THFT:MONEY/LABOR/PROP
44226 20th Street West

For those wondering about 487, here you go:

487. Grand theft is theft committed in any of the following cases: (a) When the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), except as provided in subdivision (b).

The area this person was arrested at has stores like Home Depot, Hardwood Lumber, and Masonry Materials.

In what appears to the Facebook page for El Dorado in Oxnard, take a look at this screen cap:

Class of ’87 would line up with the age (42) listed in the Lancaster arrest log record.

Broken promises

Matchmaker Hervi Estrada, who booked some of the fighters on the El Dorado card, reportedly asked for 50% of his fee up front and the other 50% at the weigh-ins the day before the show. He got his initial 50% fee up front but didn’t get his other 50%. The reason? The man with the promoter’s license, Raul Orozco, failed to appear at his own weigh-in. Instead, Armando Renteria showed up. When CSAC lead inspector Anthony Olivas conducted the weigh-ins and signed the bout contracts, Orozco was nowhere to be found. The rules are clear — the promoter, matchmaker, or officer of the corporation with the promoting license is the one who signs the bout contracts. Why was Olivas conducting business/weigh-in and signing contracts with Renteria and not Orozco? In this case, neither Orozco nor Estrada signed the bout contracts. Renteria reportedly signed the contracts.

For the fighters that Hervi Estrada booked, they were allegedly given a purse. Also, for the fighters that Orozco & Renteria booked, they were reportedly given tickets as compensation. The question is — did they use the value of the tickets given to fighters as the value of the purse reported on the bout contract?

Confused? Read the rest of the article and we’ll lay out a scenario of how this allegedly happened.

It’s not uncommon to see promoters give fighters tickets to sell in exchange for receiving a % of the sales. However, you can’t substitute the actual value of the purse by claiming the purse value is based on how many tickets you gave to a fighter.

Example – you give a fighter 30 tickets at $20 face value for each ticket. You can’t claim that the purse is $600 in value because… what if the fighter didn’t sell all 30 tickets? How much did the fighter actually make from ticket sales? This is all critical information for the lead inspector because they have to calculate the box office and, as one CSAC source noted to us, you have to calculate the % you take away for neurological & boxing pension funds from the promoter based on the ticket manifest and just how many actually tickets were sold by the fighter. You can’t simply say, “I gave that fighter $600 in tickets, therefore calculate it based on the fighter getting $600.” It doesn’t work that way. The idea that tickets can replace cash as the full currency value of the purse is insane.

The stink bomb detonates

On the day of the show, about a couple of hours before the first bout of the evening, a teenage kid showed up at Pacific High School and approached Anthony Olivas & Hervi Estrada. The kid, who was reportedly Raul Orozco’s son, told them that there was no money and that the show was canceled. Before those at the show figured out it was a joke (or NOT), the kid reportedly got out of dodge and a cancellation sign was posted at the building.

As soon as Hervi Estrada confirmed that the show was canceled, he posted this message on Facebook:

WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT TODAY!, @ LEAST 4 ME, BUT I MUST THANK ALL OF THE FIGHTERS, TRAINERS AND MANAGERS, FOR ALL OF WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH TO MAKE THIS FIGHT HAPPEN TODAY, 2 BAD IT DID NOT GO THROUGH, BUT I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE TO ALL THE LOYAL BOXING FANS THAT PAID FOR THAT 1 TICKET EXPECTING TO SEE A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT OF BOXING IN THE BEAUTIFUL 805 WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE. FOR THE BIG LET DOWN, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE BIG LET DOWN…EVEN THOUGH I AM ONLY A MATCH MAKER. NOBODY DESERVES TO GO THROUGH THIS. SINCERELY YOURS, HERVI ESTRADA

So, where did Raul Orozco and Armando Renteria go? In the case of Renteria, he started talking to the media in the form of the Ventura County Star newspaper. Renteria claimed that the show was ‘postponed’ and not canceled. Doesn’t it make you wonder who exactly is the show promoter, Orozco or Renteria? I don’t think Che Guevara, the Chief Athletic Inspector, could tell you.

When contacted over the phone, El Dorado Entertainment’s Armando Renteria said ticket sales were not doing well and he had no choice but to pull the plug.

Renteria added the event was postponed to a later date and not cancelled.

Renteria said the hand injury to Aguiniga and the co-main event bout featuring Oxnard boxer Irvin Garcia falling through were reasons why fewer tickets were being sold.

“The show revolves around Aguiniga and Garcia,” said Renteria, who manages Aguiniga. “How could I leave it to chance without those two? We had no choice but to postpone the show. I feel horrible about it.”

How did VC Star writer Francisco Salazar manage to get in contact with Armando Renteria when others could not? A look at these two Fight News articles (here & here) provide you with the answer.

In my opinion, Renteria admitted to violations of the law with his comments to Salazar.

§ 246. Postponement.
If, through inclement weather (in case of any outdoor show) or other happening not within the control of the club, a postponement becomes necessary, the commission may grant an extension of the contracts and set a new date, and the action of the commission if a show called off shall be binding upon all parties to the contracts. A small advance sale shall not be regarded as legitimate reason for a postponement. Indoor boxing and wrestling shows shall not be canceled for any reason except with the written approval of the commission.
§ 247. Notice of Change in Program.
Notice of any change in announced or advertised programs for any main event boxing contest shall be filed with the commission and the press at least 24 hours before the contest. Notice of such change or substitution shall also be conspicuously posted at the box office, and announced from the ring before the opening contest. If any of the patrons desire to have the price of their tickets refunded, such refund shall be made immediately if the tickets or the ticket stubs are presented at the box office. The box office shall remain open a reasonable length of time to redeem such tickets.

This is important to note because of what Salazar said in the VC Star article:

El Dorado Entertainment decided to postpone the show just a few hours before doors were to open at 5 p.m.. The first fight on the card was scheduled to begin at 6.

If you read the full article, you will not see the word ‘refund’ anywhere from Renteria in regards to tickets bought for the Oxnard show. Instead, a promise that those tickets will be ‘honored’ in the future. The commission’s rules & regulations state that on the cancelation notice for the show there must be notification for the fans on getting refunds when the top fights on the card are canceled. That’s a hard-and-fast rule. You can’t avoid it.

Apparently not, as long as the state gets their money up front.

According to multiple sources, the El Dorado Mexican restaurant has been swamped with calls from angry ticket purchasers asking how they can get a refund. One source framed the restaurant’s response in this manner:

“I called and they said the promoter is having a meeting tomorrow and they were told to take all the phone numbers and the promoter will refund the money.”

You will also notice in the VC Star article that Crystal Morales talked about selling $800 worth of tickets. You don’t say. It’s one thing to have a side deal with a promoter where if you sell tickets you get a % but when you try to substitute the value of a purse by claiming the face value of tickets, we have a problem on our hands. Was that the case here?

Plus, giving tickets out to fighters is a way to avoid paying CSAC taxes by having these kinds of side deals.

We’ve talked with multiple lawyers experienced in combat sports about this matter and not one lawyer agreed with the assessment that tickets are legal tender for the purse.

If you click on the image, you’ll see the enlarged version. On the ticket, it plainly says “NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.” That’s against CSAC rules & regulations. Take note of this code section:

§ 272. Refunds.

Every club holding either boxing or martial arts matches shall have printed on the stub of every ticket sold the following statement:

“Retain this coupon in event of postponement or cancellation. Refund $________.”

The price paid for the ticket shall be printed in the foregoing blank space, and the coupon detached and returned to the ticket holder at the entrance gate. This coupon check shall also show the name of the club and date of the contest or exhibition, and shall be redeemed at its face value by the club upon presentation by the purchaser if the advertised main event is postponed or does not take place as advertised. The surety bond shall be conditioned upon the compliance by the club with the provisions of this rule.

This rule was clearly violated & no one from the athletic commission did anything to put a stop to this.

Honoring & dishonoring the bout contract

We received a copy of Crystal Morales’ bout contract. The contract states that she was to get paid $1,000 for the purse. At the weigh-ins the day before the show, Crystal claims that it was modified to $1,200 because a couple of fights were canceled.

You’ll notice that the promoter listed on the contract is Raul Orozco. He was supposed to be the one to sign the bout contracts at the weigh-ins. Instead, Armando Renteria (not listed as the promoter on the contract) signed the bout contracts that CSAC approved.

In an on-the-record conversation Monday night, Crystal claims that Armando Renteria asked her for the money she sold from tickets. She was allegedly given 100 tickets with a total face value of $3,000. She didn’t sell all the tickets. After she gave the money from her ticket sales to Armando Renteria at the weigh-in, she claims that Renteria turned around and gave the money to a representative of CSAC.

After the fight was canceled on Saturday, she had not been paid. On Monday, Crystal claimed that she received a text from Raul Orozco. To paraphrase what she claims the text message stated, allegedly the message stated that if she had talked to Armando Renteria she would have found out that she was not getting paid her purse because she didn’t sell the 100 tickets she was given.

In the bout contract, the language clearly states that you have to pay a fighter reasonable compensation for a bout that is postponed or canceled.

CONSEQUENCES IF BOUT FAILS TO OCCUR: If the promoter fails to perform as required by the terms of the contract of any statute, rule, or policy enforced by the commission, the promoter shall pay the contestant reasonable compensation as determined by the commission. Nothing in this contract procludes the commission from taking immediate disciplinary action against any part to this contract for a violation of the statute, rule, or policy enforced by the commission.

We understand that Crystal is talking with an attorney right now regarding what kind of case she has.

One respected commission source framed the debacle in Oxnard this way.

“The fighters train, make weight, and fight. Why are we not protecting them? It’s not the fighters’ job to promote.

“This could have been avoided because this particular promoter had bounced checks in the past, which means his promoter’s license should be suspended. At his last show he bounced not just one or two but all his checks bounced to the fighters, officials, and doctors.”

The punchline? The cashier’s checks to CSAC officials were reportedly $100 each. While the Sacramento front office is worrying about $100 cashier’s checks and $50 fighter licenses, they’re completely oblivious to losing hundreds of thousand of dollars from mismanaged box office accounting practices. This is as classic of a penny-wise and pound-foolish scenario as you could possibly find.

And who gets screwed in the end? The fighters do. The bureaucrats don’t. But the fighters sure take it up the ass, don’t they?

Only CSAC could come up with a scenario where fighters get hosed while commission officials get cashier’s checks. Let’s see what Che Guevara will do next. Will he take action now or just continue to close his eyes and let the fighters get screwed again? Che Guevara and company knew exactly what the background of Raul Orozco & Armando Renteria was and chose to do nothing about it.

What about the promoter’s word as their, ahem, bond?

The state’s Business & Professions Code is pretty clear about where the bond money should go if a situation like the one in Oxnard happens. The money should not only go to event officials from CSAC, it should go to pay the fighters and refund the customers who bought tickets. It’s also allocated to pay for medical insurance & pension contributions, too.

§ 213. Promoter’s License in the California Code states the following:

(a) An applicant shall demonstrate financial responsibility. For purposes of section 18665(b) of the code, “financial responsibility” means no less than $50,000 in cash or the equivalent in liquid assets as demonstrated by the applicant’s financial statement. The financial statement shall be prepared by and be on the letterhead of a certified public accountant within sixty (60) days of the date the application is filed.

(b) An applicant shall demonstrate either that the applicant possesses the necessary knowledge and experience to act as a promoter or employs a person whose possesses those qualifications.

(c) The bond required by section 18680 of the code, which shall be set by the commission in an amount no less than $50,000.

In the case of Raul Orozco & Armando Renteria, there was a $50,000 bond for the show. Matchmaker Hervi Estrada reportedly contacted Christa Beck, a CSAC front officer worker, to ask if the bond was in tact and was told it was. Of course, the commission has to take action in order to get the money from the bond to cover the fighters who got screwed at the show. Given that some of the fighters are not from California, you can see why some of the victims would simply write off their losses and give up.

When fighters get screwed over and costs continue to skyrocket for small-show promoters in California, the cost of how much you have to pay for a bond to cover your event also goes up.

The obvious must be stated here about the fighters. They signed the contracts and honored their end of the bargain. The promoter(s) did not. CSAC signed on bout contracts that were not signed by the person with the promoter’s license. In my opinion, they are legally (if not morally) liable here to take care of the fighters. If the commission refuses to take care of the fighters and leave the fighters out to dry to fight on their own for the bond money, they are asking for lawsuits at that point.

What’s next?

There’s a commission meeting date set for CSAC on October 8th in Los Angeles. Here’s the agenda document. Nothing so far on Raul Orozco or Armando Renteria. I suspect that’s about to change.

At that October 8th meeting, the public should put Che Guevara and company on the spot and demand answers as to why they allowed deadbeat promoters to continue promoting events in the state of California. They must demand answers to why the Sacramento office wanted their officials to get cashier’s checks but not demand that the fighters get cashier’s checks.

If Che Guevara wants to be the man to run the ship in Sacramento, then let’s see him push for the revocation of the promoter’s license for Raul Orozco. (Something he should have already done.) All he has to do is cite the following B & P code:

18841. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, licenses issued under this chapter may be revoked, suspended, or placed on probation under terms and conditions including, but not limited to, the making of restitution, for any violation or attempted violation of this chapter, any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or for any cause for which a license may be denied.

Such action shall be final, except that the propriety of such action is subject to review, upon questions of law only, by the superior court. The action of the commission shall stand unless and until reversed by the court.

18842. The commission, the executive officer and other employees duly authorized by the executive officer, shall have the power to suspend temporarily, any license until final determination by the commission when, in his or her opinion, the action is necessary to protect the public welfare or is in the best interest of boxing or martial arts.

The suspension may be without advance hearing, but the suspended licensee may apply to the commission for a hearing on the matter to determine if the suspension should be modified or set aside. The application for a hearing shall be in writing and shall be received by the commission within 30 days after the date of suspension. Upon receipt of such written request, the commission shall set the matter for hearing within 30 days.

We’ll find out soon enough which side the Department of Consumer Affairs is on. Are they willing to help protect the fighters and inspectors or are they on the side of bureaucrats like Che Guevara? It’s pretty sad and pathetic that fighters, promoters, and matchmakers are approaching me and wanting to talk because they feel they have no other recourse in terms of moving the needle to get anything done in Sacramento. It’s says a lot about how impotent and intellectually-challenged folks like Denise Brown are at the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job.

You, along with the rest of the management at Consumer Affairs, have ran the California State Athletic Commission into the ground. In the process, you’ve screwed over the state’s taxpayers, fighters, promoters, matchmakers, and the fans. Consumer Affairs attempting to ‘sunset’ the commission in order to sweep everything the rug isn’t going to work. The situation on the ground is deteriorating at a rapid pace. People are already suffering because of Consumer Affairs’ political decision making. How many more victims will there be in the future? Many more.

Topics: Boxing, CSAC, Media, Zach Arnold | 15 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

15 Responses to “California State Athletic Commission backs shady promoters & watches a scandal brew in Oxnard”

  1. Zack says:

    Oxnard!! My beautiful hometown 🙂

  2. Ethel Herrera says:

    I do believe you need to revoke Raul Orozco and Armando Renteria License and fine them. Or jail time…

  3. Chris Beltran says:

    The real low life in this is Raul Orozco who went into hiding
    And sent his son out to cancel the show instead of himself
    A total piece of shit

  4. Chris says:

    Thanks Zach,

    It baffles me taht this is a story that no one else seems to care about. So I guess we are going to have to wait for someone to get seriuosly hurt before anyone else raises an eyebrow.

    • Zach Arnold says:

      In the industry, behind the scenes, everyone is talking about what a disaster zone California has become. Don’t think that power brokers aren’t paying close attention. They are. I just think most people have no idea what to say because they’re speechless.

      It’s only going to get worse.

    • RST says:

      “It baffles me taht this is a story that no one else seems to care about. “

      Thought that everybody already figured out not to run shows in california.

  5. Clint says:

    Ethel the real problem is that Armando Renteria HAS NO LICENSE yet CSAC is letting conduct buisness as if he did, by letting him sign contracts.

    Chris you are right I hope other reports for combat sports will speak up.

  6. edub says:

    Sorry to hijack Zach, but apparently Nick ain’t done.

    http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/9/27/3419178/ufc-nick-diaz-court-judicial-review-nevada-state-athletic-commission-mma-news

    I’ve never hoped nefarious connections from a defense attorney would work before.

    • 45 Huddle says:

      He wont win. I have no problem with somebody fighting back at the NSAC…. but Diaz is the wrong guy to do it….

      • edub says:

        Ah Diaz might be, but Goodman is definitely not the wrong guy. If Diaz keeps his mouth shut during this hearing it could go very well.

  7. RST says:

    “…chief Athletic Inspector Che Guevara …”

    Say what now?!

    (california is as california does.)

  8. Jay B. says:

    Great story. I take it Crystal will win with that ironclad contract. They must have hired boxers from Nevada and Arizona. Janky promoter hiring outside the state is hard to believe. Stuff like this is going to make people like crystal and Irvin guy hard to believe in these promoters.

    Its little odd for CSAC to allow this to happen when they are not receiving any benefits or kick backs from this.

    • Clint says:

      CSAC is allowing this to happen because they just don’t care as long as they get their money up front.

      • Jay B. says:

        Are they getting money upfront though? I mean they had checks bounce on 1 show, never got money for that. They got paid the next time around from cash received and it wasnt that much money either.

        Thats alot to go through just to get 1500 from tickets or whatever they received from the tickets sold which need to be refunded now. Jumping through hoops for chump change venues?

        Ed. — The commission wanted cashier’s checks for the 3rd show (after checks bounced on first two shows)… and they were reportedly $100 a check. I kid you not. This is what the commission cared about more than actually protecting the fighters who got stiffed by the deadbeats. They still haven’t suspended the licenses!

        • Jay B. says:

          And Zach with that question being somewhat answered, these people not taking kickbacks, from the article I just assumed they were taking under the table cash from Advance ticket sales from shows that have yet to happen which the way Crystal described it was they took the money from her hand and just handed it over as a “you are good to go” type of approval. I guess it really doesnt matter if they went to turn it into a certified check.

          Thing I am wondering is: Who is benefiting from this crooked operation. Estrade guy and his janky promotions are not making any money. He will probably fold here in a matter of months, even if there is no suspension. Wondering why they did not suspend the guy. Does he know someone in the CSAC that could hook him up. CSAC clearly doesnt care about protecting fighters, doesnt even care about promoters at this point.

          LOL I mean as you said, Sac town worrying about 50 dollar licenses and 100 dollar cashier check being handed over.

          There is no method to CSAC madness, nobody is taking handouts, allowing chaotic/anarchy in their fight shows. Soon enough we might as well just consider California Fight game to be a barren wasteland. Pretty sure out in Cali somewhere, there is a story about a promoter just handing cash to a CSAC exec for the right to run his/her show.

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