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Ferguson was brought in as an opponent for Ray Mercer on the undercard of a Riddick Bowe title defense against Michael Dokes. Mercer was expected to knock Ferguson out and fight Bowe for the title. Instead Mercer showed up ill prepared and Ferguson, perhaps motivated by the big stage, dominated him. At one point Mercer allegedly offered Ferguson a bribe to "lay down,"(by whispering in Ferguson's ear during the fight) realizing his big shot at Bowe was slipping away from him. Ferguson refused the money and won a unanimous decision.
UPDATE (4/18/1994) Ray Mercer, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist boxer who has been accused of offering his opponent a bribe in the ring, has been acquitted by a jury in New York.
After a two-week trial in Manhattan, a jury acquitted the heavyweight contender on a charge of sports bribery, saying essentially that Mercer did not offer Jesse Ferguson $100,000 to throw their (Feb. 6, 1993) match.
Videotape of the bout at Madison Square Garden allegedly disclosed that starting in the third round, Mercer repeatedly offered Ferguson the money if he took a dive.
Mercer, who lost the 10-round fight in a unanimous decision, was later indicted on a charge that he tried to bribe Ferguson.
The 31-year old Mercer showed no emotion during the verdict, but afterward, said he hopes to resume his career soon.(BNET) |
