The New York State Athletic Commission has suspended the license of a Rochester boxing promoter after serious payment issues tied to an April event. The suspension follows complaints from fighters, officials, and managers who say they never received proper payment after the show.
The event took place April 25 at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. Organizers billed the card as the “Boxing Extravaganza” and promoted it around the anti-violence message “Gloves Up, Guns Down.” The initiative aimed to give young people positive alternatives through boxing and mentorship programs.
However, the event now faces growing financial and legal scrutiny.
According to the NYSAC, the case remains under active investigation. The commission released a statement Thursday confirming disciplinary action against the promoter.
“The New York State Athletic Commission has taken appropriate regulatory action in this matter, including the suspension of the promoter’s license and referral to the appropriate authorities,” the statement said. “Because this matter is now the subject of an active investigation, the Department does not have any further comment at this time.”
Reports about payment problems first surfaced through boxing journalist Adam Abramowitz. He also reported allegations involving fraudulent checks. BoxRec listed Derick Gramling as the promoter of record for the event.
Soon after, veteran boxing figure J. Russell Peltz publicly claimed that referees, judges, doctors, and timekeepers also received bad checks.
The controversy quickly widened.
Peltz manages three fighters who competed on the card, including main event boxer Bryce Mills. He said none of the fighters he contacted had received valid payment.
“I’ve been in touch now with about 11 of the 16 fighters, and none of them got paid,” Peltz said.
Before the event, Peltz requested partial payment upfront for Mills. He said organizers rejected his request for a $5,000 advance but agreed to pay Mills $30,000 after the fight.
Then problems emerged almost immediately after the event ended.
Peltz said several participants contacted him after banks refused to process checks issued by promoters. Mills later attempted to deposit his $30,000 check, but the payment did not clear.
“You’ve got to feel for these kids who train six or seven weeks for this fight,” Peltz said. “Kids with no jobs or low-paying jobs. I just don’t know how you can do that.”
Meanwhile, organizers acknowledged the financial collapse during a Thursday press conference.
Uniting and Healing Through Hope of Monroe County partnered with Savage Life Promotions to stage the card. The nonprofit said poor ticket sales created a massive financial deficit.
According to organizers, paid attendance fell far below expectations. As a result, the event reportedly lost more than $100,000.
The group has now launched a public fundraising effort to cover the losses.
In a joint statement, organizers said they invested heavily in the event because they believed in its anti-violence mission.
“At the press event, we will be sharing everything that has transpired from the inception of the Extravaganza to the present day,” the statement read.
The organization also defended its long-term community work.
“United and Healing Through Hope of Monroe County has been and will continue to be a beacon of light, hope and unity for our regional community,” the statement continued.
Organizers stressed that the event centered on helping Rochester youth avoid violence.
“We continued that mission by embracing the slogan of ‘Gloves Up, Guns Down’ to give young people in the community an alternative to senseless violence,” the statement said.
According to the group, organizers personally invested tens of thousands of dollars into the card. They hoped to bring championship boxing back to Rochester for the first time in more than 30 years.
Instead, they say disappointing attendance numbers created a severe financial crisis.
“However, we came up very short on our paid attendance and now we are in a deficit of over $100,000,” the statement said.
The organization is now asking individuals, businesses, churches, and local groups to donate money to help erase the debt.
Organizers also pushed back against allegations of fraud.
“Every fighter will be paid,” Gramling said during Thursday’s appearance. “Every penny that they deserve, they will be paid 110%.”
He denied intentionally deceiving fighters or officials.
“I would like the community to know, because I think there is misconstruing that we scammed or fraud,” Gramling said. “No, actually, we spent over $50,000. I lost my gym in the process.”
Gramling also insisted the checks issued after the event were legitimate.
“The checks were real,” he said. “Everything has to be reissued.”
Even so, financial issues extended beyond fighter payroll.
Blue Cross Arena Executive Director Colin Holman confirmed that the venue itself remains owed approximately $20,000. Holman said arena officials have stayed in contact with organizers and established a payment plan.
At the same time, fighters continue waiting for answers.
Peltz said many boxers depended on those purses after weeks of training and preparation. For some fighters, the missed payments created immediate financial hardship.
Still, Peltz hopes organizers eventually resolve the situation.
“Listen, I hope they come up with the money somehow,” he said.
For now, the NYSAC investigation continues. The suspension marks another troubling chapter for a boxing event that originally promised hope, mentorship, and community support.
Instead, the aftermath has left fighters unpaid, officials frustrated, and organizers scrambling to recover from a six-figure deficit.
