Forensic Transmissions Episode 138: Sammy “The Bull” Gravano Testifies
Nov 15, 2020
In this engaging conversation, Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, the former underboss of the Gambino crime family turned government informant, sheds light on his dramatic life of crime and testimony. He discusses the intricate relationship between organized crime and boxing, revealing mob influence over fight arrangements and the inner workings of illegal betting. Gravano also touches on the ethical dilemmas boxers face amidst corruption and the historical ties of crime families to the sport, offering a captivating insider's perspective.
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Evolving Mob Involvement
- Organized crime's focus in boxing shifted from fixing fights for betting to controlling successful boxers' earnings due to increasing purse sizes.
- Direct kickbacks became less important than profiting from training expenses, promotions, and other related ventures.
Bookmaking in Boxing
- Bookmakers avoid large bets on boxing matches due to concerns about mismatches and potentially one-sided outcomes, not necessarily fixed fights.
- This change occurred after organized crime's withdrawal from boxing, reducing betting activity and sophistication.
Shifting Focus from Boxing
- Organized crime shifted from boxing in the 50s and 60s towards more lucrative ventures like unions and various industries (construction, shipping, garment, garbage).
- This was due to boxing purses being relatively small at the time, making other activities more profitable.