Cage fighting promoter Sam Greco: Minister John Eren is my mate

SAM “Slam ’em” Greco is a man of many talents: world-class fighter, actor, restaurateur and entrepreneur, and the driving force behind the push to legalise the bloody sport of cage fighting.

SAM “Slam ’em” Greco is a man of many talents.

A world-class fighter, actor, restaurateur and entrepreneur, he has emerged as a driving force behind the push to remove a ban on the bloody sport of cage fighting.

Greco on Monday confirmed Allstar MMA’s relationship with the Sport Minister.

“John Eren is a friend who has supported martial arts for many, many years,” Greco told the Herald Sun.

A super-heavyweight kickboxer, professional wrestler, karate ace, and combat sports trainer, Greco is one of the industry’s most recognisable figures and also has long mixed with some of the city’s more colourful characters.

Like many on the fight scene, he knows industrial mediator and underworld figure Mick Gatto, describing him as one of his “greatest friends”.

“He is a good man, a great friend, and an honourable man, in my experience,” Greco told the Herald Sun.

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Greco also has links with other industry figures who police believe are unfit to hold official roles in combat sports.

During Greco’s long and glittering fight career, which ended in 2005, one of his Australian promoters was industry stalwart Tarik Solak.

Police have identified Solak as unfit to hold a promoter’s licence following an intelligence check this year.

The boxing board is considering whether to strip Solak’s licence on the basis of police advice. A decision is expected later this month.

Greco’s social media associates include three other fighters or promoters now the sub-ject of boxing board or police inquiries relating to the conduct of combat sports events.

He has also described former bikie and ex-kickboxer Toby Mitchell as a mate.

Only last November, Greco mixed with Gatto and John Kizon at the Anthony Mundine fight at Hisense Arena.

As far back as 2008, he watched Jeff Fenech from a ringside table with Gatto, Kizon, John Khoury, David Hedgecock, and Carlton footballer Nick Stevens.

Stevens now faces jail for assaulting and threatening to kill his then girlfriend, and texting her abuse, in 2013.

Greco, who believes cage fighting is much safer for fighters than in a ring, does not accept the police line that the sport encourages violence on the street or against women.

“It’s not us. It’s alcohol, drugs and poor education” he says. “You can’t just point the finger at us.”

And he says there is nothing sinister in his friendships.

“The only association I have with them is through the fight game. That’s it.

“They’re all friends, they’re all mates. We see each other at events.”

Greco has had several bit parts in Australian TV productions including Underbelly , and advises film production companies on martial arts.

“I always seem to play the villain,” he jokes.

When not on set, he runs a popular cafe, Don Camillo’s.

Greco was promoted as a featured guest at last week’s Arnold Classic Australia, a bodybuilding event featuring Hollywood star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, which was hosted by prominent local gym owner Tony Doherty.

Although Greco does know Doherty, he says he is not a regular at Doherty’s gyms.

Doherty was identified in a police submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the drug ice as a “supporter” of outlaw bikie gang the Bandidos.

“It is ... likely gyms that are owned or managed by supporters of outlaw motorcycle gangs are used as locations for club members to meet to discuss illicit matters,” the submission, tabled last September, says.

“Doherty’s Gyms, aligned with the Bandidos, are a prime example of this.”

Doherty, who has no convictions, was not accused of any criminal activity himself.

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