Nine years later, injured photographer to have his day in court vs MSG
Nine years later, injured photographer to have his day in court vs MSG
By Scott Shaffer
14/07/2005
By Scott Shaffer
14/07/2005
Nine years ago, Sports Illustrated photographer John Iacono covered the first Riddick Bowe-Andrew Golota bout at Madison Square Garden. As boxing fans know, Golota was winning the bout when he landed repeated low blows that resulted in his disqualification. A riot broke out between Bowe and Golota supporters, during which time Iacono was punched in the face. The punch was recorded on film, but the attacker got away unpunished because only his fist was visible on the tape. Iacono says the punch caused him hearing damage and a herniated cervical disc. He sued Madison Square Garden for providing inadequate security and the case is still floating around New York's state court system. This week, the court denied Madison Square Garden's motion for summary judgment, meaning that Iacono can finally go to trial on his claims. Madison Square Garden argued a trial was not justified as Iacono himself was to blame for his own injuries because he remained in the ring during the riot instead if heading for safety. Iacono responded that, as a journalist, it was his job to cover the riot, and anyway, there was no guarantee that the rest of the arena was any safer than the ring. Originally, Iacono sued several other parties, including Bowe himself, but the ex-champion and others were dismissed from the suit.