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NY congressman King boxes against former champ
March 10, 2013
FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2013 file photo, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. King is lacing up his boxing gloves and putting the congressional fights over budgets cuts far behind him. The 68-year-old New York Republican, known more for his bare-knuckle politics than his pugilistic skills, plans to step in the ring Saturday for a two-round exhibition bout against “Irish” John Foley, a New York state light heavyweight kickboxing champion, at a pub in Wantagh, N.Y. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
WANTAGH, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Peter King of New York has survived a two-round bout in the ring with former kickboxing champion "Irish" Josh Foley.
Newsday reports (http://bit.ly/YTBM64) that the Long Island Republican squared off Saturday with Foley before a crowd of 400 in a Wantagh (WAHN'-tah) pub. No winner was declared.
King is an avid boxing fan. He agreed to the fight to raise money for the business of his friend and trainer.
The newspaper said the 68-year-old congressman held his own against his 31-year-old opponent. Foley is several inches shorter and about 50 pounds lighter than the 230-pound King.
The congressman's fight had been criticized as an ethics violation by a watchdog group that says ethics rules prevent representatives from appearing to favor one business.
King defended the fundraiser as appropriate.
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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
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