Mexican Boxing Reality Show Shut Down in Cali
Feb 20, 2008 • 12:00 AM ET
TV Show Attempts to Stage Unsanctioned Bouts
By Michael Campbell
“Retador Azteca,” is a reality television program which airs on the Azteca America network and features eight professional boxers from Mexico and eight American boxers with Hispanic heritage in a tournament style challenge with the best from each group facing off in the finale. A grand prize of $50,000 is awarded to the winner.
Sources have informed BoxingScene.com that one American fighter has withdrawn from the show after he became aware that none of the bouts were being sanctioned.
Armando Garcia, Executive Officer of the California State Athletic Commission, informed us that producers for the show had tried to stage bouts without following the proper guidelines and he was forced to stop them from happening.
“They have not attempted to gain sanctioning from the California Athletic Commission for boxing matches. They had told us that the actual fights were going to take place in Nevada, and they were only going to be filming “spots” for the show in California,” Garcia said. “As soon as we found out (that they were going to hold boxing matches) we went with inspectors and state police to serve a cease and desist order on them at a place in Los Angeles.”
For the bouts that have already aired, it appears that there are no judges or inspectors at ringside.
No disciplinary action was taken against the boxers. Garcia stated, “I don’t know who they are, if they fought, where they fought and who against.”
“The Contender,” another boxing reality program, which aired seasons 2 and 3 on ESPN, was held in California under the jurisdiction of Garcia.
For the “Retador Azteca” bouts to be sanctioned, Garcia said, “It would require a very detailed process…finding and approving 16 fighters that can compete against each other at any time. They would then need licensing for the combatants and also for the event. Then there would have to be bout agreements signed for each fight.”
The official website is http://www.retadorazteca.com/
