Bowe seeks negotiated fine

Boxing

A New York State Athletic Commission official has criticised reports that Riddick Bowe is to be fined pounds 167,000 and his manager, Rock Newman, suspended for a year following a post-fight riot last month.

Bowe won the fight in Madison Square Garden after Andrew Golota was disqualified. After the referee stopped the bout, members of Bowe's entourage charged across the ring, and a fight broke out, with Jason Harris attacking Golota with a mobile telephone.

It was claimed lawyers for Newman and Bowe worked out the fine and suspension as a compromise to keep the commission from banning Newman for life, but the official said: "It's premature because discussions are ongoing. No final disposition has been made. I cannot confirm or deny anything."

Under the alleged agreement, Bowe's promoters would be barred until 31 July 1997 from any boxing event in New York. Harris would be barred for life for the attack on Golota, but Bowe would remain eligible to fight during the penalty period.