reviewjournal.com -- Sports: Boxing reform blocked by Reid, McCain alleges

WASHINGTON -- A feud between Sens. John McCain and Harry Reid over boxing reform intensified Tuesday when McCain accused Reid on a nationally syndicated radio program of stalling efforts to clean up the sport.

Appearing on the Don Imus show, which is simulcast on MSNBC, McCain promoted his bill to empower a national boxing commissioner.

"It's being held up by Sen. Harry Reid," said McCain, R-Ariz. "(Promoters) Don King and Bob Arum don't want boxing reform, but we're going to win because there are going to be more scandals."

The Senate Commerce Committee approved McCain's bill by voice vote last March, but it has never come up for a vote on the Senate floor.

Among other things, McCain's bill would establish a United States Boxing Administration within the Labor Department.

Reid, the Senate minority whip, denied he is blocking McCain's bill.

"I don't know how you can hold something up. (McCain) can do anything he wants," said Reid, D-Nev. "I don't know what he's talking about."

Told of Reid's response, McCain scoffed.

"I'm disappointed Senator Reid has blocked it for as long as he has. I've told him that to his face," McCain said. "We know that a senator can object to a bill being taken to the floor."

McCain said he mentioned boxing reform on the Imus show because of the Jan. 6 raid by FBI agents on Arum's office in Las Vegas. The raid was part of a probe into alleged fight fixing among other alleged crimes.

"Every few months there's going to be another scandal until we clean up boxing," McCain said.

Reid said he also wants a boxing reform bill, but that cable television networks should be regulated as well as promoters.

"I don't see how you can do a boxing bill unless you include Showtime and HBO because they are the ones who control all the fights now," Reid said.

Reid acknowledged he has talked to Arum and King "for maybe a total of two minutes each" about boxing reform legislation.

Asked if Arum and King oppose McCain's bill, Reid said, "Not at all, but I think they recognize it's important that if they're going to be included in the bill, you should also include Showtime and HBO, which do more work than either one of them does."

Despite McCain's charges, Reid said he thinks the two are close to making a deal.

"I think we have something pretty well worked out," Reid said. "I think we'll introduce something. Whether we get to it on the floor, that's always another question."