By Michael Marley

Jeff Wald, the sometimes controversial music and entertainment mogul who has long dabbled in boxing, has thrown his hat in the ring.

Literally, in the sense that the Hollywood impresario, who was once married to singer Helen Reddy and has handled such stars as Roseanne Barr and many others, has been interviewed for a post on and possibly the Chairmanship of the California State Athletic Commission.

In boxing circles, Wald is known for directing the career of former world heavyweight champion Big George Foreman and for being one of creators and producers of the boxing reality TV series, “The Contender.” He’s also managed or co-managed such fighters as Sergio “Latin Snake” Mora.

Wald said he could not discuss his commission application, saying any word as to that would have to come from Gov. Brown or his office in Sacramento.

Wald has many ideas for the reform of and improvement of pro boxing including brining in new referees and judges and trying to make their work more consistent.

“On the Arthur Abraham-Andre Ward fight out here Saturday night, the refereeing and the judging was exemplary, really outstanding. So good for California but I recently had a guy fight in a big state where they made him used gloves, the ring was only 16 feet inside and the ropes sagged like rubber bands,” Wald said.

As far as boxing’s marquee names, Wald is among those who can’t fathom why Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao can’t get a bout deal done.

“There’s no question now as to Pacquiao’s greatness as a fighter,” Wald said. “Manny has beaten everybody around. With Mayweather, I just don’t get it. I don’t know what his handlers are waiting for as Mayweather is not going to get more valuable as he ages. We need that fight and we need a sea change in the (American) heavyweights.”

Wald said he would hope to use a commission post as “a bully pulpit” for the betterment of the sport.