New Bryant Pappas Interview: Wants Williams Rematch, Justice From NYSAC
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Correspondent
New York, NY (May 30th, 2013)– Following the report of the New York Inspector General’s Office clearing the New York State Athletic Commission and its officials of wrongdoing in the investigation of Yonkers police officer and middleweight boxer Bryant Pappas’ allegations his opponent Josh Williams boxing gloves were tampered with on May 15, 2012 (Pappas lost a six round decision at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, but his appeal caused a number of rules changes to occur), Pappas granted Real Combat Media a new exclusive interview of his views following the Inspector General’s report and his future plans to return to the ring. Pappas complained the Williams camp substituted a pair of used Fuel gloves with worn padding, and questioned the inspection of the fuel gloves used by Williams in their bout.
Reader’s note: The opinions expressed therein are solely those of boxer Bryant Pappas. They are not the views of Real Combat Media. This interview was edited by the interviewer due to liability issues. Pappas stated after the interview that the interview could be edited and presented in print by the interviewer as he saw fit.
Real Combat Media: “Let’s cut to the chase. Do you want a rematch with Josh Williams in New York State in 2013?”
Bryant Pappas: “Yes! I can say that with certainty. I would like a rematch in the right area, the right venue. I beat Josh Williams the first time and I’ll beat him again! It depends on the purse and the amount of rounds. I can do eight rounds. I haven’t thought about it for a whole year. I’ve been embroiled in this whole thing.”
Real Combat Media: ” The New York State Athletic Commission is under a binding decision to abide by the terms dictated by the legal counsel of the state of New York State Inspector General’s Office. Do you think this will improve conditions for boxers?”
Bryant Pappas: “Regarding gloving, yes. Judging, no! Judging five rounds to one against me in laughable. It is all over and done with now. My bout with Williams is in the history books. My beef was not with the judges when I fought Williams. I didn’t know who the referee was when I stepped into the ring.”
Real Combat Media: “How would you change judging and refereeing procedures in New York State?”
Bryant Pappas: “I need some guarantees about the judging. I feel the New York State Athletic Commission isn’t too happy about what happened to me. The referee of my bout, Ricky Gonzalez, was alright. I didn’t get the chance to speak with the referee before the fight. I hit Josh Williams with a legitimate body punch in the fourth round. The referee called it a low blow. Williams did the same thing with Tommy Rainone. Usually the referee does come to the dressing room before the fight. This (my bout with Williams) was the first time in my 14 fights that didn’t happen.”
Real Combat Media: “Are you concerned about Fuel gloves being used in New York State again after your bout with Josh Williams?”
Bryant Pappas: “No, because they don’t make them anymore. They weren’t made anymore when I fought. They are no longer manufactured..”
Real Combat Media: “Let’s ask some new questions. You have said much about the gloves used by Josh Williams. What do you think of Josh Williams as a person?”
Bryant Pappas: “In all fairness to him, he’s a nice guy. I like him as a person. He’s a good guy, he seemed like a real nice guy. I don’t blame him for any of this (what happened to me). He may not like me, but he was led on.”
Real Combat Media: “You were present at the Westchester County Center boxing card covered by Real Combat Media last weekend. Would you consider fighting your rematch with Josh Williams there? It seems a fair place near your Yonkers.”
Bryant Pappas: “I’d definitely be interested in exploring that notion. I have a lot of stuff going on right now. I work as a Yonkers police officer. And (besides Josh Williams) there are plenty of other opponents, boxers, fighters out there (I could fight), if you look at it objectively. I’d like to see real progress by the New York State Athletic Commission first.”
Real Combat Media: “What does your manager Stacy Goodson in Arkansas say?”
Bryant Pappas: “We’ll get this think taken care of first (our next move) and take it from there. We’re sitting down now, and we have some decisions to make.”
Real Combat Media: “Do you want the grudge rematch with Josh Williams?”
Bryant Pappas: “I want the grudge rematch! The Fuel gloves used by Josh Williams in our bout were old and used, and the padding was compromised. In New York State, it depends on the conditions. I abide by the rules. I want to see the judging get better. Absolutely, I’m certainly going to try to get a rematch with Josh Williams. If I agree to a rematch, I believe I will have to knock him out to win.”
Real Combat Media: “Was the Inspector General’s decision what you hoped for?”
Bryant Pappas: “The Inspector General’s report result isn’t exactly what I wanted, but I am happy the New York State Athletic Commission is going to be more cognizant and aware of the issues surrounding gloving and the use of gloves. This definitely increases safety for all fighters in New York State. This came directly from me doing something.”
Real Combat Media: “How can you state the fuel boxing gloves used by your opponent Josh Williams weren’t new? The commission said they were?”
Bryant Pappas: “They weren’t new. You could feel when they hit you the gloves were worn down on the outer shell.”
Real Combat Media: “Where are the gloves now? Should not the gloves have been impounded for later examination by the commission after your complaints? What is the procedure in New York State in regards to that?”
Bryant Pappas: “They gave the gloves back to Josh Williams (after the bout). What he did with them, who knows?”
Real Combat Media: “What exactly was your beef with the New York State Athletic Commission? It doesn’t seem you were very happy with their performance in regards to your bout with Josh Williams.”
Bryant Pappas: “You want me to sugar coat it for you? Inspector Ruggero went in to my dressing room before, during, and after the fight, and he testified he never saw Chief Inspector Felix Figueroa. I don’t hate Felix Figueroa. I have no problem with Felix Figueroa. I like Felix Figueroa.
Real Combat Media: “Bryant, what will it take to get you into the ring with Josh Williams again in New York state?”
Bryant Pappas: “For one, I want the referee to meet with me before the fight. For two, I want the gloves to be (supplied) from the promoter, and I want to pick my gloves in the presence of my opponent. Three, I want the whole thing videotaped, so any claims I make or they make (my opponent’s corner) make can be disproved, or if they are accurate they can be addressed. It protects me, it protects them, and it keeps everyone honest.”
Real Combat Media: “How will you reach the second time around when commissioners and inspectors enter your dressing room. How will you react?”
Bryant Pappas: “If the commissioner, Malvina Lathan, and the Chief Inspector, Felix Figueroa, enter my dressing room, what am I going to say? What choice do I have? I am a very forgiving person. I don’t have a grudge?”
Real Combat Media: “Then what is the source of your internal conflict, Bryant? Surely whatever it is, you have to be able to let go of it before you can go back into training and fight again. If the gloves selected before a rematch with Josh Williams meet with your approval, isn’t that it?”
Bryant Pappas: Both guys (Figueroa and Ruggero) were place under oath. Chief Inspector Figueroa says he was in my dressing room. Inspector Ruggero was in the dressing room and says he wasn’t. Then Figueroa got called back and said he was. They didn’t ask Ruggero again. One guy says he was there. One guys the other guy wasn’t there. Of course, if they were both under oath, who would you believe?”
Reader’s Note: Pappas then presented a hypothetical situation. This was removed from the interview, because the hypothetical situation proposed was not factual.
Real Combat Media: “Who brought the Fuel gloves in? Who? Who? Who?”
Bryant Pappas: “I believe Tommy LaManna brought the Fuel gloves in. He represented Fuel at one time. The Fuel Company didn’t exist anymore, so what would be the sense of an endorsement? (a fighter wearing Fuel gloves) The purpose of the gloves was to give Josh Williams an unfair advantage.”
Real Combat Media: “Did you see who brought the Fuel gloves in your opponent’s dressing room?? LaManna said it was not him.”
Bryant Pappas: ” I’m not for sure it was LaManna. I didn’t see who walked in (to the Williams dressing room with the Fuel gloves). But I believe he (LaManna) did it. In no uncertain terms, the Fuel gloves should not have been used (allowed). A set of Fuel boxing gloves was not offered to me. Felix Figueroa said he went to my dressing room and asked if it was alright if Josh Williams could use the Fuel boxing gloves and I agreed, but he never did (I never saw him). Sad words. The New York State Athletic Commission dropped the ball, then covered it up.”
Real Combat Media: “Forget everything else. The inspector General’s Office made its final decision. The bottom line: if your conditions are met, do you want the rematch with Josh Williams now?”
Bryant Pappas: “I want the rematch!”
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