HARRISBURG – A New Jersey man has launched legal action against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and its personnel, alleging they conspired against him to prevent him from holding a professional boxing card in Harrisburg.
Edward Bissau Mendy of Kinnelson, N.J. filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on July 6 versus the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, its executive director Gregory Sirb, its legal counsel Martha Brown and unknown John Doe employees 1-10, all of Pennsylvania.
“Clash in the Burg’ is the new boxing series promoted by plaintiff Mendy and his company Lion Heart Boxing Productions, Ltd. in association with Travel Champs. The mission and vision of Mendy was to have Clash in the Burg enter the vibrant Pennsylvania boxing and sports entertainment market as a monthly live professional boxing series to be held on the first Thursday of the month at various venues in the Harrisburg-Hershey area of Pennsylvania, commencing with the Genesis event on July 6, 2023 at the Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg, PA. To frustrate the stated intent Sirb, Brown and others they were acting in concert with first tried to limit Mendy’s license by taking the unusual step of converting a license issued last year into a provisional one, and restricting to scheduling one event at a time,” the suit states.
“The Genesis episode of Clash in the Burg is supposed to be held July 6, 2023, at the beautiful and historic Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg, PA but was canceled on July 5, 2023, without good cause. The was supposed to feature a mouth-watering main clash between the 6’6’ Latin heavyweight sensation and heavyweight prospect Martin Paredes (6-0) and against the dream killer Jamal Wood (29-59-12) as well as other bouts. Tickets were reasonably priced at $100 for Ringside (Level 100) seats, $60 for Reserved (Level 200) seating and $40 for General Admission (Level 300) and could be purchased at the venue, online at www.universe.com and at all Ticketmaster locations.”
The suit continues that defendants Sirb, Brown and Does 1-10 conspired with each other and other parties and caused the event to be cancelled, allegedly through numerous underhanded business tactics outlined in the complaint.
“The cancellation was done in part because of Sirb’s personal vendetta against Mendy, evidenced by his incessant spread of misinformation about Mendy as well as his constant propagation of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) about Mendy, Mendy’s companies and Mendy’s events, including the cancelled Clash in the Burg Genesis. Sirb’s history with Mendy spanned decades and despite his seeming attempts to be professional, in private communication with Mendy, he was generally intimidating,” the suit says.
“As a result of Sirb’s actions, not only has the Clash in the Burg series been frustrated, but also Mendy has lost several business opportunities in the past, including the opportunity to promote events in at least two casinos. Further, many event requests presented to Sirb by Mendy have been denied in contravention of standard PSAC practices, affecting both his credibility and relationships with broadcast and venue partners, as well as fighters.”
For counts of violating 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, libel and slander, conspiracy to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt and cancel the event, the plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in an amount as will be proven at trial.
The plaintiff is representing himself in this matter.
The defendants have not yet obtained legal counsel.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case 1:23-cv-01128
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com