Promoter Failed To Obtain Necessary Approvals Before Staging Amateur Boxing Match; Neglected To Have Doctor On Hand

Schneiderman: Safety Of All Boxing Contests In New York Must Be Ensured

Yesterday, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced two guilty pleas by David M. Archambault for promoting and hosting one unlicensed amateur boxing match in Lake George and another in Saratoga Springs. In the Saratoga Springs event, Archambault pitted a 16-year-old boy against a 34-year-old man. The teen was knocked out in 15 seconds in a ring. No doctors were on hand at either event, as required by state regulations and USA Boxing rules. Archambault, 39, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count under the state’s unconsolidated laws in each case, one in the Lake George Town Court and the other in the Saratoga Springs’ City Court.

Under each of the plea deals, he is barred from hosting or participating in any boxing events in the next year and faces up to a year behind bars if he violates the condition. He also agreed to perform a total of 100 hours of community service.

“Unlicensed and unsanctioned amateur fights are illegal and dangerous. We have laws on the books to ensure that potentially dangerous sporting events, like boxing, are as safe as possible. My office will enforce these laws,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “I want to commend the New York State Athletic Commission for referring this case to my office for investigation and to warn others against putting amateur New York athletes in harm’s way.”

Archambault, who owns and operates Wild Child Productions and Iron Fists MMA (organizations he runs out of his Fort Edward, N.Y., home), hosted an amateur boxing and martial arts event in April 2011 at the Knights of Columbus in Saratoga Springs. He failed to obtain a license from USA Boxing to host the event, which is required by state law. . He also failed to follow clear safety rules set out by the New York State Athletic Commission and USA Boxing, the commonly-used name for the U.S. Amateur Boxing Federation. According to federation regulations, a 16-year-old should only be allowed to box against fighters who are 16 or 17 years of age.

Among the regulations that Archambault ignored are requirements that a doctor and a licensed referee oversee amateur fights.

Archambault was arrested and charged with violating New York State’s Unconsolidated Laws, section 8933, and also Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. All are misdemeanors. He pleaded guilty before Judge Jeffrey Wait. Under a plea deal reached with the Attorney General’s office, Archambault pleaded guilty to one count of violating the state’s unconsolidated laws.

In the Lake George case, Archambault was charged in relation to an August 2011 amateur boxing and martial arts event he promoted there, titled “Fight Night at the Forum.” There, Archambault also solicited amateur fighters to engage in various types of fighting, including boxing, without obtaining the requisite licenses and approvals from the state or USA Boxing. He also, among other rule violations, failed to have a doctor or licensed referee on hand. Archambault plead guilty to violating the same section of the state’s Unconsolidated Laws and Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree.

New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales, whose Department of State oversees the New York State Athletic Commission, said, “We thank the New York State Attorney General’s Office for taking the necessary steps to curb unlawful and unsanctioned bouts in the State of New York. This case will serve as a deterrent to those thinking about promoting such illegal contests. The New York State Athletic Commission will continue to shine light on these types of occurrences to make certain safety in sports is paramount in New York State.”

Assistant Attorney General Darren Miller is prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Criminal Prosecutions Deputy Bureau Chief Steve Maher, Chief Gail Heatherly and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan. The prosecutors were assisted by Investigations Bureau Investigator Casey Quinlan under the supervision of Deputy Chief Antoine Karam and Chief Dominick Zarrella of the OAG’s Investigations Bureau.