Promoter Peters hits out at 'Spoyle Sports'

Boxing promoter Brian Peters had hit out at bookmakers Boylesports for not co-operating with the Boxing Union of Ireland's investigation into last month's controversial Peter McDonagh v Michael Gomez fight.

Peters promoted the Irish Lightweight title bout on the undercard of his protege Bernard Dunne's clash with Noel Wilders at the Nationsl Stadium on January 28.

In the aftermath of the fight, which Galway-born McDonagh won in bizarre fashion, the BUI (Boxing Union of Ireland), with rumours of a betting scam ringing in its ears, decided to withhold both figthers' purses. Gomez had dropped his guard in the fifth round and took eight unanswered punches before being floored.

It also emerged that Boylesports had revealed to RTE on the night of the fight that they had been forced to "suspend betting" on the fight due to "an unusual pattern of betting" on McDonagh winning in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

This evening, the BUI has confirmed that both McDonagh and Gomez are to receive their purses after releasing details of its in-depth investigation, but the Union admitted in a statement that the fact that Boylesports were the only bookmakers, out of a number contacted, to fail to reply to the Union's investigative queries was "extremely disappointing."

The Union sent a registered letter, dated February 3, 2006, to Boylesports, but received no written or oral reply. Eastwood Bookmakers, Paddy Power Bookmakers and Cashman's of Cork all participated in the investigation.

Peters said: "As the promoter of the bout, I welcome the Boxing Union of Ireland's findings following such a comprehensive investigation.

"It's disappointing that the bookies (Boylesports) that made the most noise on this issue have proven to be "Spoyle Sports" by not co-operating with the Union's investigation.

"It's unfortunate that a publicity ploy embarked upon by this particular bookies did not take into consideration the effect that it would have on Irish professional boxing and in particular the careers of Peter McDonagh, Michael Gomez and their respective trainers and managers.

"It also took the shine off yet another impressive performance by Bernard Dunne," added the Meath man.

"Having failed to "put up" in regards to the Boxing Union of Ireland's investigation, perhaps it is time for the bookies concerned to "shut up."