CHARLES JAY

CHARLES JAY grew up around the gaming business, was raised in the boxing business, and along the way has developed a colorful background through a wide range of experiences..........Jay was a veteran of 17 years actively in the boxing industry, as a writer, publicist, matchmaker, booking agent, manager, and promoter..............Was engaged as editorial consultant for USA Network's "Tuesday Night Fights" for seven years, and also did some on-air work for USA...........He also served as color commentator for, among others, Sunshine Network and Prime Network, and has called 13 world championship fights for national and/or international television......He has been the host of numerous radio programs, including "Sportswatch with Charles Jay" on KDWN in Las Vegas, "Total Action" on WAXY 790 in Miami, and "Charles Jay's Winning Edge", syndicated into 55 markets by the American Radio Networks......Was special events consultant to the casino industry from 1993-95, and helped to launch Casino Magic in Mississippi as a major venue for special events and sports promotions...........Has been a casino/sports gaming columnist for a number of leading publications, including Sports Form, Casino Player, Florida Player, and The Gambler....... In fact, at one point he was probably one of the most widely-circulated casino gaming columnists in the world, with particular recognition for his blackjack advice columns.............In March of 1999, became editor-publisher of "TOTAL ACTION", a sports/gaming/entertainment website portal which is a gateway for information about all forms of gaming, including that pertaining to casinos, pari-mutuels, and the lottery...............On the same site, operated "The Fight Page", which became one of the world's premier boxing portals, and was best-known for his hard-hitting "insider" boxing stories, many of which have broken world "exclusives"...........Is considered one of the world's leading proponents and experts on the subject of boxing reform, having been asked to appear on numerous panels and speak at officials' seminars............Author of "Operation Cleanup: A Blueprint for Boxing Reform" and "Operation Cleanup 2: Unfinished Business" - two critically-acclaimed electronic books that represent arguably the most comprehensive and in-depth examination of the boxing industry and boxing reform issues ever put into publication...........Has also published a third electronic book - "Body Shots: Outside the Ring and Inside the Game of Pro Boxing"...............Was the recipient of the 2003 "Dignity" Award, in the category of "Best Sports Writer," as bestowed by the Retired Boxers Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to rendering assistance to ex-fighters in need. In an official letter of notification, the RBF referred to "the courage you have demonstrated in your writing and the integrity that is apparent in all of your journalistic pieces"...........Was cited for a 2004 "Barney" award from the Boxing Writers Association of America for investigative reporting...........Named in a May 24, 2003 story at major boxing website SecondsOut.com as one of a select group of the world's "essential" boxing writers - a listing that includes legendary London Times columnist Hugh McIlvanney, Pulitzer Prize/National Book of the Year nominee Thomas Hauser, Fleischer Award winners George Kimball of the Boston Herald and Ron Borges of the Boston Globe, and Steve Farhood of Showtime. Writer Kenneth Isenberg's specific reference - "Boxing's eloquent muck raking insider turned super sleuth" and "a social commentator in boxing letters".........Was asked to join the World Boxing Association's ratings committee, in the organization's pursuit of re-establishing some credibility in the wake of a ratings brouhaha. Turned down the invitation.............Currently a member of the Election Committee for the International Boxing Hall of Fame..............In March of 2004, was named President of the International Brotherhood of Prizefighters. Became Editor-in-Chief of The Sweet Science, one of the world's most prominent boxing websites, as well as President of Boxing Channel (an internet television channel devoted to boxing)..........Those enterprises afforded him the opportunity to function as executive producer of telecasts, overseeing the entire production.............Still keeps his hand very much in the gaming industry. He is currently working on two books about blackjack, as well as a book about sports betting. He has compiled specialty odds for various online sportsbooks, including Diamond Sportsbook International (DSI) and its sister operation, BetCRIS.com. Gained notoriety for his odds on this past year's Academy Awards, for which he posted more than five dozen different betting propositions.............Also provides odds on boxing, pop culture and world events for an extremely popular fantasy sportsbook at WannaMakeABet.com.............In 2004, he also dabbled in politics, defeating U.S. Congressman Ron Paul to win the presidential nomination of the Personal Choice Party. Actually appeared on one state ballot (Utah) with his running mate, adult film legend Marilyn Chambers..........Campaigned on a platform that included, among other things, a very strong pro-gambling plank...........Took part in the largest multi-party presidential debate in history in October 2004 at East Tennessee State University..........Finished sixth in the presidential balloting in Utah, but placed fourth in the state-wide "mock election" among junior high and high school students, finishing behind only George W. Bush, John Kerry and Ralph Nader and defeating the Green, Libertarian, Socialist and Constitution Party candidates........Is frequently asked to speak at high schools and colleges about his quixotic presidential run.........The 44-year-old Jay is a graduate of the University of Miami (Florida) residing in the state of Indiana..