Boxing board chair slams moves to boot Mick Gatto’s mates from sport

THE chair of the boxing board has rejected moves to boot a handful of Mick Gatto’s mates from the sport.

Mick Gatto in South Wharf. Mick with his mates Brian Amatruda and Barry Michael

THE chair of the boxing board has slammed moves to boot a handful of Mick Gatto’s mates from the sport.

Criminal defence lawyer Bernie Balmer said his board was under no obligation to ­accept police recommendations to strip licences from up to 10 promoters under the so-called “Get Gatto” law.

The Victorian Boxing and Combat Sports Board has submitted to police the names of 75 licensed boxing promoters to check they meet the “fit and proper” person test.

After checking with the police sports integrity unit, the Chief Commissioner has told the board about 10 do not meet that test. The board expects to hold formal inquiries into these licence holders in coming months.

The Herald Sun understands the majority have links with Mr Gatto, who was the reason a character test was introduced.

A board inquiry into promoter Tarik Solak was held in early February and a decision is expected next month.

The Herald Sun understands that during the Solak inquiry, the Chief Commissioner chose not to detail his reasons for wanting him banished. He does not have to if he considers the information “protected” or too sensitive.

But boxing board chair Mr Balmer suggested the board was under no obligation to ­accept unsupported advice.

“The board has held inquiries in respect of persons who the Chief Commissioner says, on his evidence, are not fit and proper persons, and we have to assess the history of these people and decide whether we’ll allow them to continue to promote,” Mr Balmer said.

“The board may take into account what they (police) say, but if they’re not going to tell us why, what weight do we put on it?”

Mr Gatto, who gave up his promoter’s licence before he could be officially banned, has worked with prominent boxing figures including Mr Solak, David Hedgecock, Brian Amatruda and Barry Michael.

Michael does not believe he is among those in the frame because he’s had limited contact with Mr Gatto. Others in the gun are tipped to go to VCAT to oppose moves to ban them.

Mr Solak is baffled by the move to oust him, saying his only conviction — for assault — dates back to 1986.

A mate of Mr Gatto, Mr Solak takes Australian boxers to his homeland, Turkey, for matches and once spoke out in support of a convicted terrorist whom he used to train.

Victoria Police Commander Brett Guerin, who sits on the boxing board, would not name those in the frame, but said there was no place for serious crime in boxing. “These are people with reputations for violence or suspected links with organised crime,” he said.

Mr Gatto turned in his ­licence in 2013, before the “Get Gatto” law kicked in, but has maintained a presence at boxing events as a sponsor.

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