Editing International Boxing Federation (section)

=== 20th-century bribery scandal===
Despite achieving an appearance of legitimacy, subsequent to a three-year investigation started by 1996 charges levied by former heavyweight champion [[Michael Moorer]]; IBF's reputation was ruined in 1999 with founder Lee's indictment for racketeering and other violations for taking bribes in exchange for high boxer rankings. Indicted on federal racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges were "president, Robert W. Lee, 65; his son and IBF liaison, Robert Lee Jr., 38; former IBF executive and Virginia boxing commissioner Donald William Brennan, 86; and South American IBF representative Francisco Fernandez."<ref>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/11/05/another-black-eye-for-boxing/ Hirsley, Michael] "Another Black Eye For Boxing", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', November 5, 1999. Retrieved August 4, 2018.</ref> Lee was subsequently convicted of money-laundering and tax evasion in August 2000, then sentenced, in 2001, to 22 months in prison and fined $25,000.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/15/sports/boxing-ibf-supervision-ends-founder-gets-22-months.html Smothers, Ronald] "I.B.F. Supervision Ends; Founder Gets 22 Months", ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 15, 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2018.</ref>

In 2000, citing [[extortion]], [[boxing promoter]] [[Bob Arum]] voluntarily testified to having paid IBF president Bobby Lee $100,000 in two installments in 1995, as the first half of a $200,000 bribe, through "middleman, Stanley Hoffman", adding that Lee had first demanded $500,000 to approve the [[George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz|Schulz-Foreman fight]], but had settled for the lesser amount of $200,000 (half of which was never paid).<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/07/sports/boxing-arum-gives-description-of-payments-to-ibf.html MCKINLEY, JAMES C. JR.] "Arum Gives Description Of Payments to I.B.F.", ''The New York Times'', June 7, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2018.</ref> Arum was sanctioned and fined $125,000 by the [[Nevada State Athletic Commission]]. Boxing promoters [[Cedric Kushner]] and [[Dino Duva]] also admitted to making similar payments to Lee.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-17-sp-5925-story.html Springer, Steve] "Settlement Approved in Arum Case", ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', August 17, 2000. Retrieved August 4, 2018.</ref>

{{Quote frame |quote="A culture of corruption has festered in the IBF virtually since its inception... IBF ratings were not earned – they were bought... The crimes have bastardized the ratings in most of the weight classes."|author=Adam Miller quoting Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cleary|source=[https://nypost.com/1999/11/05/feds-bid-to-ko-boxing-bigs-with-bribe-rap/ "FEDS BID TO KO BOXING BIGS WITH 'BRIBE' RAP"], ''[[New York Post]]'', November 5, 1999}}