Florida Governor’s Boxing Commission

With the need for a singular governing body to codify boxing’s mayhem as great as it’s ever been, and with the pro and con arguments re: the government’s lacing up gloves and getting in the mix just beginning to heat up, it looks like it’s business as usual in boxing land until further notice, so protect yourselves at all times and may the best man win.

Florida’s Governor Jeb Bush, through the good offices of his office, appointed two South Florida business leaders – Donald Bowen, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Broward County, and Ramiro Ortiz, president of Coral Gables-based BankUnited – to the Florida State Boxing Commission.

Neither man knows much about the fight game, but they know much about money.

Gov. Bush named Bowen to a term that will run until Sept. 30, 2009, bearing any unforeseen ring deaths, and Ortiz's term, as per agreement, ends in 2008.

The Florida Senate, which convenes in Tallahassee, still needs to approve the appointments of both future commissioners.

The five members of the Florida State Boxing Commission, all governor appointees, oversee professional and amateur boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts in the Sunshine State.