Ali slams draw verdict

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has slammed the draw verdict in the Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis fight as "the biggest fix in fight history".

In a letter to US Senate Commerce Committee chairman John McCain, Ali said he was humiliated that the sport "had sunk to its lowest levels". Ali added: "It was clear to all who watched that the deciding victor of the match was England's Lennox Lewis."

The heavyweight unification title fight between Holyfield and Lewis on March 13th in New York, has sparked investigations by a New York City grand jury, a New York state Senate committee, the New York State Athletic Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

McCain, a boxing fan, introduced a bill this year that would restrict coercive option contracts by which promoters control a boxer's career, such as deals forcing a fighter into a long-term deal in exchange for a shot at a world title.

In his letter to the senator, Ali wrote: "As the former three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, I believe I have the credibility to say Lennox Lewis won this bout without question and should have been named the clear and decided victor.

"What occurred once the 12-round event concluded will surely go down in the boxing annals as the biggest fix in fight history."

In the letter, Ali added his support to McCain's bill, which is aimed at protecting boxers from exploitation and requiring more openness from promoters about their financial dealings.