By Ron Widelec

Earlier this year I had the great pleasure to stumble across a fantastic book titled Operation Clean-Up. I had heard about the book a few times, but after hearing an interview with the author Charles Jay, on MaxBoxing.com I decided to take a look at the book.

As it turns out Charles Jay is manager of Totalaction.com, which is a large sports website. This site has a boxing section titled Fightpage. After taking a quick look around the site I promptly purchased this book, and began a journey into the deep underworld of boxing.

Charles Jay has “worn many hats” in the boxing world. He has been a manager, promoter, matchmaker, and held positions in sectioning bodies. He has seen the boxing world from an inside angle that most fans cannot even imagine. Now, as an investigative reporter, Charles Jay is using his vast experience to inform fans, while at the same time challenging the various boxing structures that many see as corrupt.

The first thing you will notice is that Charles Jay is an expert when it comes to boxing, but in a very different way than some of the “experts” to which we are accustomed. He is no Max Kellerman or Jim Lampley who simply call it from the side lines, and nostalgically looks back at past eras. Jay provides a look into the dealings that go on behind closed doors; the world of boxing to which Kellerman and Lampley have never been privy.

Operation Clean-Up is sub-titled “A Blueprint for Boxing Reform”. As such, it has two main objectives; to inform fans of the clandestine actions in boxing, and provide ideas for various reforms that may help to ameliorate these situations.

Jay discusses problems ranging from ranking “mishaps”, fighters that have been cheated, the fixing of fights, boxing legal issues, and neglect on the part of some of boxing’s biggest, most deeply entrenched organizations that have even led to fighters being seriously injured.

As the book moves on, Jay takes the reader on an ever winding road deeper and deeper in the underbelly of one of the most corrupt sports in the world. By the end any serious fan will see the absolute necessity for comprehensive boxing reform.

Operation Clean-Up is a MUST read for any boxing fan. The book offers a view into boxing never before available. And if his description of this boxing underworld seems tremendously bleak and shady, that is simply because it is tremendously realistic. Take it from Charles Jay, he has been there and back.

Questions or comments… Email me at Beowolf88@aol.com