SPORTSNET.CA
Florida officials are investigating allegations of match-fixing in EliteXC’s Kimbo Slice-Seth Petruzelli fight on Oct. 4.
Petruzelli, a last-minute replacement to fight Slice in the MMA bout, hinted to an Orlando radio station that the promoters — L.A.-based ProElite — offered him money to “stand and trade (punches) with” Slice, rather than try to take him down.
Petruzelli won the fight 14 seconds into the first round after sending Slice to the mat with a punch to the head that opened a gash over Slice’s eye. Slice is is a former street fighter turned MMA fighter and is known more as a puncher, while Petruzelli, like many MMA-trained fighters, has a background in Olympic-style wrestling and kick-boxing.
Petruzelli was a last-minute replacement to fight Slice in the main event on Saturday’s card after original opponent Ken Shamrock withdrew because of injury.
ESPN.com reported Thursday that the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has begun a preliminary investigation into the allegations.
Petruzelli told the radio station in an interview on Monday: “The promoters kind of hinted to me, and they gave me the money to stand and trade with him. They didn’t want me to take him down, let’s just put it that way. It was worth my while to try to stand up and punch with him.”
