Martin now licensed, but
upcoming bouts must be
approved individually

The Hawaii association of USA Boxing was holding fight cards illegally for two years, as its president was unlicensed. The state boxing commission says Ralph Martin is legit now, but that doesn't mean the group can put on fights just yet.

"Each bout has to be approved (individually)," chairman Willes Lee said at yesterday's commission meeting. "That includes insurance issues, financials."

Missing financial records has been an ongoing issue with Martin, although he said yesterday his secretary turns in a statement of revenue and expense every year.

Lee and other commissioners said the records are not detailed enough. Martin was given a deadline of June 17 to produce itemized records. He said the records are not available now because they are being audited.

"They have it right there, but they want it (done by) their rules. It's always handed in, every year," Martin said. "Whatever the rules are, we'll follow them down the line."

If Martin doesn't produce the detailed records, it could jeopardize bouts held in conjunction with Bayfest on July 4.

"According to state law, there's a difference between being licensed and being able to hold bouts," Lee said.

Also yesterday, contention spilled over from a USA Boxing board of directors special meeting the previous night. Some club coaches were upset about being asked to use association funds to pay attorney fees for Martin and Bruce Kawano. The court costs stemmed from a legal fight with Hawaii Golden Gloves -- an organization headed by local USA Boxing members.

And Waianae Boxing Club coach Fred Pereira accused Martin of rigging the last USA Boxing election by telling voters that Eiichi Jumawan, the opposing candidate for president, had kept boxers' registration money for himself.

"That's hearsay," Martin said. "I don't know what he's talking about. I don't know where he comes up with these accusations."