As we were going to press, the boxing world was talking about the surprising (or not!) resignation of Kim Sumbler from her eight-year stint as Executive Director of the New York State Athletic Commission.

As of this writing, no successor had been found, as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office was being flooded by resumes from those applying for the $154,000+ position. As with all applicants applying for an executive position, some are extremely qualified. Most are not. 

Some are even laughable.

In the case of the State Athletic Commission, some resumes actually come from die-hard and longtime fans of both boxing and MMA. Remember, the State Athletic Commission in New York (the Empire State) regulates both boxing and MMA, and all of those die-hards would love to sit at the top of the NYSAC and regulate both sports. So, the Governor’s Appointments Office is sifting through the slew of resumes, from the Commissioner-wannabes to the true, legitimate candidates.

While the Governor’s office is saying nothing to the media about this ongoing selection process, this columnist has found out, through sources, about four candidates. Two are very solid. The other two, not so much.

One is obviously bright, but her apparent knowledge of the boxing business is miniscule. Microscopic. But, remember, this is a political job. 

Satisfying a constituency may also come into play if an upstate New York candidate is chosen, which we hear has been discussed. Will that upstate New York candidate – 250 miles from the commission’s New York City offices – be willing to travel that distance five days a week in order to fulfill the job – something Kim Sumbler did NOT do? But she was appointed by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Gov. Hochul may not tolerate an absentee, no-show Executive Director.

Another candidate, we hear, is the commission’s current Director of Boxing, Matt DeLaglio. He is a hard, dedicated worker and knows boxing. He is an excellent candidate and would be a fine choice for the position. It has been years since the NYSAC has been run by somebody so knowledgeable, hard-working and dedicated. Whenever I found myself at ringside in New York, calling the action on radio or TV, Matt would be the first member of the commission I’d run to when I had a question on NYSAC rules and policy.

The fourth candidate I know of who has applied for the job is a veteran in the business. You all know him. He has been in the sport for over 50 years.

His resume is extensive.

He is the former Editor of World & International Boxing Magazines and Big Book of Boxing.

He is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Ring Magazine.

He is the former Boxing Analyst for ESPN.

He is the former Boxing Analyst for the USA Network’s Tuesday Night Fights.

He is the former Boxing Analyst for the MSG Network.

He is the former Boxing Analyst for SportsChannel, SNY, PRISM and many other networks.

He is an inductee into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

He is an inductee into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.

He is awaiting induction into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in September.

He is the current Host of SiriusXM’s “At the Fights,” alongside his co-host of 15 years, former heavyweight contender “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney. 

He is the author of two boxing books: Ali and Glove Affair.

Oh. He was once the Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.

Yep. The candidate I am now talking about is this columnist.

I want the job for one reason: I can bring back the respect the NYSAC lost soon after my departure 29 years ago.

During that time, I have never been away from boxing. I am more in touch with the sport than I have ever been. I have strong ties with basically every commission in the USA – and many outside North America. 

Under my leadership, a fighter’s safety was paramount. I rewrote the antiquated New York rulebook and had a hand in helping other state boxing commissions rewrite theirs.

While Chairman of the NYSAC, I only missed attending a few fights. Why? Because, on the days I missed attending a fight card, we had TWO fight cards in different parts of the state. I could only be in one place at a time. Once, during a snowstorm, I worked as a cornerman and an inspector when most of my staff couldn’t get to the arena. I did it then and I would do it now. 

Since my departure, with the exception of Chairman Ron Scott Stevens, no chairman has attended every show. It was my job. I did my job.

Boxing officials (referees and judges) need more training. Lots more. I would give frequent seminars, even bringing in the Sole Arbiter Training Course for Officials, given by top referees Jack Reiss, Tom Taylor and Russell Mora. If there was no budget to pay for the seminar, I’d pay for it out of my own pocket. That’s how important training our officials is.

I would do my job the same way I did it before – with the same fervor, energy and exuberance. Only this time, I’m smarter. It’s called experience.

I’d like to sit in a room with Gov. Hochul and a panel of experts she chose – and have a debate with the other candidates. Let the panel decide who the next Executive Director should be. 

The New York State Athletic Commission has been broken for years. It is in desperate need of repair.

I believe I am the one to repair it!

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Atlantic City was the Mecca of Boxing in the 1980s. Names like Matthew Saad Muhammad, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, “Joltin” Jeff Chandler, Frank “The Animal” Fletcher, Bobby Czyz, Rocky Lockridge, Johnny “Bump City” Bumphus, Curtis Parker, Teddy Mann, James “Broadaxe” Broad, Johnny “Dancing Machine” Carter, Kenny “Bang Bang” Bogner, Earl “The Pearl” Hargrove, Calvin “Silky Smooth” Grove, Joe Manley, Michael “The Silk” Olajide, James “Hard Rock” Green, the two Charlie Browns – “White Lightning” and “Choo Choo” – are just a handful of the boxers who became household names fighting on ESPN’s Top Rank Boxing, the USA Network’s Tuesday Night Fights and NBC’s SportsWorld. 

New Jersey’s Larry Hazzard was a world-class referee in the first part of the 1980s, reffing many of those shows. He then became the Executive Director of the NJ Athletic Control Board, regulating all of them.

Commissioner Hazzard has seen Atlantic City’s rise, its fall in the early 2000s, and he is still at the helm of the NJSACB as Atlantic City is experiencing a regrowth and resurgence, much of it because of his hard work – along with the work of his longtime colleague, Rhonda Utley-Herring – and belief in the city.

Promoter Larry Goldberg – an Atlantic City native – is one shining example of the return to boxing along AC’s famed Boardwalk. He recently put on a successful boxing show at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City and plans on running another one before the end of this summer.