HELLO AGAIN

The Intro

OK, where were we?

You know, it really astounds me that there are some people out there who are pulling down upwards of $75,000 a year for implementing the regulation of boxing, carrying an obligation toward taxpayers, who have not read one word of “Operation Cleanup”.

I know that they have been apprised that the material is available, because the stories were sent via e-mail to just about every address that is listed on the official website of the Association of Boxing Commissions, or to an updated list that was sent to me by one of the commissioners.

And the reason I know some of them have not read any of it, because during the course of researching the original “Operation Cleanup” series/book, I've had to call a lot of state boxing commissions, and some of them have not even heard of me, my website, or what it is I've been doing.

That's deplorable. It's a shame. And I think – no, strike that – I fear, that this is symbolic in terms of where we are in terms of the level of involvement many of our boxing commissioners want to have in making the sport better.

And it's not that I'm saying that with a bruised ego. But let's face it – if there's a series of material specifically directed toward what you are doing, and offering some unique insights into a business you are supposed to be familiar enough with to regulate, I would think you'd be anxious to read it.

OPERATION CLEANUP – that means this book, the previous book, and any future books that might come – should be REQUIRED reading for any of the following:

— Boxing commissioners and administrators who have any responsibility at all to the public

— Boxing officials (judges, referees, doctors, inspectors)

— Matchmakers, promoters and agents

— Boxers (especially)

— Any U.S. representative or senator who is going to vote on future boxing legislation

— Any congressional staffer who is going to advise someone voting on this legislation

— Anyone who purports to, or aspires to, cover boxing in the media

— Any media member from outside boxing, who undertakes to address the subject of boxing corruption or reform

— Fans who are interested in knowing how this sport, and this business, really works

I'm going to be real honest with you – this is not a light and easy read. It's not a product of public relations. It's not filled with juicy stories about Mike Tyson's personal life. It is investigative in nature, but it's not straight reporting. It's filled with opinion, using anecdotal evidence, just like the first book. It's as balanced as possible. And it will, in some cases, seek out solutions for problems that continue to plague the boxing industry.

And by the way, it won't be just MY opinion. I'll be actually looking for feedback from readers, on specific subjects that we're covered or have covered in the past, and will be posting some of the best responses.

There's going to be a lot of material, and frankly, I don't know where it will stop.

In addition to some of the situations that were not resolved yet as of the conclusion of the first “Operation Cleanup”, I sat down and listed all the subjects that had not even been touched yet. There was a LOT of stuff there; in fact, more than enough to write another book. Well, here it is.

I'm writing this introduction before I've started to install the chapters, but I already like what I'm looking at. This book is much more coherent than the first effort; for example, I'm not meandering about, not knowing which road I'm going down. It's also being written AS A BOOK, so the game plan is well laid out. “Operation Cleanup 2” will be rolled out in rapid fashion.

This book is going to be more important, more revealing, more explosive, if you will, than the first “Operation Cleanup” book. If you're the type of person who's enjoyed reading the first part of our project, you're certainly going to be in for a treat.

And it will be a grand experiment as well. For the people who are on the ground floor, accessing the material through web delivery, it will be a unique opportunity to view a book, as it is being written, chapter-by-chapter.

I hope you'll help to make this experiment a success.

CJ

Copyright 2002 Total Action Inc.