The New York State Athletic Commission has long been a curio of the state’s bureaucracy, an odd little agency charged with the considerable responsibility of ensuring the integrity of professional boxing and the safety of fighters who risk harm for entertainment. Mismanagement, patronage and piecemeal corruption pepper its history.
Two years ago, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo appointed David Berlin, a lawyer with an expertise in boxing, to be the athletic commission’s executive director. Mr. Berlin’s appointment and the creation of the new supervisory position were seen by many as moves to reform the commission — to make it more professional and accountable.