By Norm Frauenheim –
Sweet Science Boxing Promotions of Phoenix lost its bid for a license renewal by a 2-0 vote at a meeting of the Arizona Boxing & MMA Commission this week.
The Commission denied the Sweet Science’s application Wednesday after a review of its promotional business practices in 2022 according to Commission Chairman Scott Fletcher
Part of the denial was based on what happened on a chaotic August 12 in Prescott Valley, north of Phoenix, on a card that was supposed to feature ex-champions Tevin Farmer and Mickey Bey in a pay-per-view bout.
Sweet Science also canceled a card that it had advertised for December 18 at Sky Event Center in west Phoenix.
“The promoter, through both words and actions, appeared to not have the best interests of fighters and ticket holders in mind,’’ Fletcher said. “During their last event, the final six fights were canceled. These fighters had endured weeks of preparation, traveled to the venue and made weight.
“Ticket holders purchased tickets to see specific fights, which were canceled without notice.
“When questioned, the promoter could not name the co-promoters with which she had worked on this event.
“The Arizona Commission requires licensed promoters to be in complete control of fighters and ticket holders. It is for this reason that I believe the renewal application was denied.’’
The Bey-Farmer fight, which was scheduled to show on RedemptionPPV.com, never happened. Bey, a former lightweight champion, and Farmer, an ex-junior lightweight champ, refused to fight. The fight’s cancellation was never announced within the arena, the Toyota Center. News of it came through social posts from Farmer and Bey as they sat aboard a flight ready to depart SkyHarbor in Phoenix.
Both Bey and Farmer said the promoters didn’t have the money they were promised. At the time, the event was described as a Sweet Science promotion in collaboration with Bigger Than Life Sports.
Farmer-Bey was advertised as the main event. Bey-Farmer co-promoted with Bigger Than Life, which was represented by EJ Matthews. Bey-Farmer was shopped around. First it was scheduled to happen in Ghana and then Dubai, before it wound up in central Arizona.
The undercard bouts featured fighters promoted by the Sweet Science, including Keenan Carbajal, whose uncle is Hall of Fame junior-flyweight Michael Carbajal.
At Wednesday’s commission meeting, Sweet Science was represented by Lucinda Morrow. She is listed as the Sweet Science manager in the company’s LLC filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
The company also included Josephine Carbajal, who was listed as an officer until August 5 2021. Josephine is Keenan Carbajal’s mom. Keenan is trained by Danny Carbajal, Michael’s older brother and his former trainer/manager.
Danny Carbajal was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison in February 2008 on charges he robbed Michael, who at the time had earned more than any fighter in boxing’s lightest weight classes.
Danny Carbajal pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent schemes and two counts of theft.
He was accused of unlawfully transferring land and property that was jointly held by himself and his late wife, Sally, who was shot to death in 2005.
