by David P. Greisman

Why is it, in life, that in order to clean things up we must first make a mess, laying out the assorted pieces before finding the right path of organization?

And why is it, in boxing, that in order to clean up the organizations, we must lay out the assorted messes they make, since their actions occasionally seem to stray from the right path?

Journalists have taken on private corporations in the sanctioning bodies, and government institutions in the athletic commissions, fighting outside of the ring for the pugilists who fight for us inside the ropes, acting as a public watchdog, an unfortunate obligation.

The latest issue involves welterweights Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir, the duo that fought on Jan. 7, with Baldomir taking the unanimous decision, as well as Judah’s WBC and Ring Magazine title belts.

Baldomir should have also inherited the WBA and IBF championships, too, but the Argentine never paid the pair of sanctioning bodies their required fees, and the general understanding was that, with Judah’s loss, the titles would be considered vacant. In the case of the WBA, their "regular" champ, Luis Collazo, would receive the distinction as their proper champion, with Judah, their unified "super" champion, defeated.

It should be so simple.

On Thursday, Fightnews.com reported that Judah was still the IBF champion, citing championship chairman Lindsey Tucker and listing reasons for the surprising correction, a supposed clarification that came nearly two weeks after Baldomir’s upset.

The news brief said that Judah was “still the IBF welterweight champion because his title was not on the line, as Baldomir did not comply with IBF rules for sanction.”

Among the broken rules was Rule 2.B., concerning sanction fees. It states:

“In each title contest, the promoter must submit payment of the entire sanction fee for promoter and contestants to the IBF/USBA Bout Supervisor at the Rules Meeting.”

Also integral to their decision was Rule 1.F., about the second-day weigh-in:

“There shall be a second weigh-in on the morning of the event. At this weigh-in, boxers cannot weigh more than 10 pounds over the weigh limit. If either boxer does not make the weight, the fight cannot proceed as a Championship bout.”

This rule made sense, having been enforced in December’s rubber match between 122-pounders Oscar Larios and Israel Vazquez. Larios had gained too much between the two weigh-ins, meaning that, if he won, he would not receive Vazquez’ IBF belt, but would only retain the WBC belt that he owned.

The point became moot when Vazquez won via technical knockout, thanks to a nasty cut over Larios’ eye.

Baldomir, reportedly, did not participate in the second-day weigh-in, another reason for the fight to not “proceed as a Championship bout.”

But glossed over by Tucker was another IBF regulation, Rule 5.H., about unsanctioned contests, something that could not change Baldomir’s status, but could affect that of Judah:

“If a Champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit and loses the bout, the title will be declared vacant. The Championship Committee, with the approval of the President, will then establish a new Champion in that division in accordance with the procedures established and prescribed in these rules.”

Thus according to the first part of the rules, Judah’s loss, which took place within the welterweight division, would produce just grounds for a forced vacancy.

Yet the IBF apparently sanctioned Judah’s fight with Baldomir, at least according to the announcing of Jimmy Lennon Jr. Lennon ran down the sanctioning bodies at ringside, and among the list was the IBF, “President: Marian Muhammad, Supervisor, Hiawatha Knight.”

This columnist seeks clarity without making accusations, hoping to properly understand this mess so that all involved can begin cleaning it up.

My questions for the IBF are as follows:

1. Was Zab Judah-Carlos Baldomir a sanctioned championship bout?

2. Since Baldomir did not pay the required three percent sanction fee, was Judah still required to make the same payment?

3. If the fight was not a sanctioned championship bout, why was it necessary for representatives of the IBF to attend?

4. If the fight was not a sanctioned championship bout, considering that Baldomir was unable to receive your title, why isn’t rule 5.H being enforced to strip Judah of his title?

5. If featherweight Juan Manuel Marquez is to be stripped of his title because a purse bid cannot be reached to allow him to defend, why is it proper for Zab Judah to be allowed to hold onto his title after a loss?

6. Why did it take the organization nearly twelve days to make the clarification, after nearly two weeks of media outlets reporting contrary information?

Assistance, via answers, is requested, as this situation and the confusion it is producing is quite discomforting.

Answers can be sent to dgreisman@aol.com