BOXING: The most pressing issue, the reputations of both Michael Gomez and Peter McDonagh, were addressed yesterday when the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) cleared both fighters of any wrong-doing during their Irish title fight at the National Stadium on January 28th.

No financial penalty is to be imposed and the BUI has released both purses. BUI president Mel Christle has denounced the actions of bookmakers Boylesports, who were central to the controversy, and has described them as publicity seekers.

Following a detailed investigation carried out by the union, who had held back the fighters' purses, they concluded that there were no grounds to substantiate a betting scandal, rumours of which erupted on the day of the contest when Boylesports claimed that they had stopped taking money on the fight.

When Gomez, the firm favourite for the Irish title, quit boxing in the fifth round and walked away amid confusion, the prospect of a scandal took legs. Comments from former world champion Steve Collins on RTÉ television also fuelled the debate.

During his commentary Collins said: "I would like to know if there was big money bet on the fight to be stopped in the fifth" and "I smell a rat" and "It stinks".

The combination of factors ensured that the possibility of a betting coup would remain the main focus of attention for the following days. During that time the two fighters, who angrily dismissed the rumours, were erroneously cast as possible fight fixers and their boxing ethics questioned. "All those years of hard training, making weight and getting into wars in the ring caught up with me and that's all that happened," said Gomez last night.

As part of the BUI investigation, evidence, oral and written, was taken from the two fighters, ringside medical adviser Dr David O'Flaherty, referee Seán Russell, Eastwoods, Paddy Power and Cashman's bookmakers and the British Boxing Board of Control. The BUI also requested information from Boylesports, as they were the only bookmakers to have closed the betting on the fight. They received no reply.

"For the purposes of this investigation, it is extremely disappointing that, out of all the bookmakers written to, Boylesports was the only bookmaker, who failed to reply to the BUI's queries," said yesterday's BUI statement.

"This is particularly so, since a representative of Boylesports was prepared to go on Newstalk 106 and RTÉ Radio 1 to discuss the matter, in addition to the fact that it was stated on national television on the night of the fight that: "Boylesports have suspended betting." The union investigation also asks why Boylesports said, during a radio interview, that they would pay out on the bets taken "as a gesture of goodwill" when they had already stated: "we have absolutely no line that there was anything untoward done whatsoever".

The BUI point out that if there was nothing untoward, they should pay out because the money is owed to the punters and not as any gesture of goodwill.

"I believe it was a ploy to get publicity, which unfortunately took wings," said BUI president Mel Christle. "This is something I presume Boylesports did not consider when they contacted RTÉ during the boxing promotion. I don't believe they looked at the full picture, the reputation of the boxers, their managers, trainers and promoter Brian Peters."

In a statement last night Boylesports say that they responded yesterday to the BUI letter. They also claimed that they paid out on all bets and expressed disappointment at the tone of the BUI's statement. "Boylesports would like to state that they have in fact responded today to a letter from the BUI, dated February 3rd, 2006, and received by Boylesports on February 9th, 2006. Boylesports are extremely disappointed by the stance taken by the BUI and the tone of the press statement issued today," said their statement.

McDonagh was relieved with the verdict. "I would like to thank everyone for their support since my fight with Michael Gomez and I am delighted with the outcome of the inquiry," he said. "On the night I won the fight fair and square but my night of glory was ruined by allegations, but now I am relieved that it is all over."