(NOV 3) Just when you think you have heard it all, a story comes along that will just be another nail in the coffin when promoters try to put on a boxing event. WBAN received this press release earlier today.  Press release:

O'Connor Homecoming KO'd by Town Bureaucrats - "...if people want to eat they can use the vending machines."

While the citizens of Framingham, Massachusetts, were eagerly scooping up tickets to see hometown son Danny O'Connor's fistic Homecoming, the town's Board of Selectmen did not share their enthusiasm -- thus forcing the entire show's cancellation.

"The Homecoming", scheduled for Friday, November 19, 2010, at Nevins Hall in Framingham, and promoted by Warriors Boxing, was to have featured undefeated super lightweight prospect and Framingham native Danny O'Connor (13-0, 3 KOs) in a experience-building test against solid Mexican veteran Humberto Tapia.

Also set for battle was IBF #1 world rated light middleweight Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell (26-2, 15 KOs).

According to their web site, the Framingham Board of Selectmen is the policy-making body of the town and also acts as the licensing authority for various licenses such as Alcohol and Common Victualer.

Warriors Boxing President, Leon Margules, explains the bizarre bureaucracy he faced.

"When I first began arranging this event, representations were made to me by town officials that I would be able to sell stadium-type food and could get a temporary liquor license. They said we had to go in front of this board, but that it would be approved because everybody likes Danny and they want boxing. Based on that, I sent them money, bought airline tickets, got a promoter's license and contracted fighters.

Tickets were on sale and selling very well. On my behalf, Danny himself attended the 'routine' hearing in front of the board for a liquor license for the event. The police chief said he didn't like the idea of beer and wine being sold and it got rejected. But, they said just sell more hotdogs to make up for it, so I said fine, I'll go ahead without any alcohol sales. But then they had another meeting and informed me they also won't approve concessions and that if people want to eat they can use the vending machines.

Can you imagine? I told the board I know now that I'm not wanted and that I'm not going to sully my name or Danny's name with a show like that."

Margules says he can't understand why the town would work against someone trying to put on a world-class event featuring one of their most popular native sons. And his lack of understanding is compounded by the fact that he can't get a single board member on the phone to clarify their reasoning.

"It's extremely baffling to me why the town's Board of Selectmen would sabotage a world-class event like this that not only paid tribute to one of their own, but would have also brought in worldwide attention and added revenue in tough economic times. The area residents had voted yes to this show in a big way by buying up a number of the tickets in the short time they've been on sale. It's just inexplicable."

O'Connor's fight against Tapia will now be moved to the next night, November 20, at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Those who purchased tickets to the Framingham event can contact Warriors Boxing to exchange them for tickets to the Mohegan Sun card or receive a full refund.

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