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Wrestling Event on Ropes for Using Foot Expert as On-Duty Doctor

By Nicholas Rizzi | October 15, 2015 11:03am
Warriors of Wrestling
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

TRAVIS — A Staten Island charity wrestling show is on the ropes after its promoter's license was suspended for using a foot specialist as its on-duty doctor.

But the show's organizer said he had no choice — no doctors approved by the state's Athletic Commission are willing to travel to the borough.

Joe Bellini, who runs the Warriors of Wrestling school at Victory Boulevard and organizes monthly shows, used Dr. Steven Abraham, a licensed podiatrist, to check on performers before an August charity show and be on-duty for medical care after the event's regular physician couldn't attend.

Under the rules, Warriors of Wrestling should have had a state-approved doctor on hand.

Bellini said he tried to find a sanctioned doctor, but it was impossible because many don't want to come to Staten Island or charge more than the charity event could afford. 

Abraham didn't charge for his services, asking only for free tickets for family members to the shows, which have raised cash for charities including Autism Speaks and a local football club, he said.

"It's just hard to find," Bellini said. "The [doctors] that they have listed on the commission don't want to come to Staten Island. Nobody wants to come to Staten Island."

Even though the promotion had gotten a violation for using Abraham before, in 2011, Bellini and Abraham claimed an inspector had given them the OK before the July and August shows.

"They seem to make up rules as they go along," Bellini said.

"He accepted this doctor. They didn't have no problem. Then in August they had a problem. They do whatever they want."

Athletic Commission requirements state that wrestling and boxing events must have a doctor "licensed in New York to engage in the general practice of medicine and surgery" on hand to check athletes before matches and in case of injuries.

Podiatrists don't get a general physician license under state law. But Abraham said he and Bellini thought his services would be satisfactory, especially since he's a licensed surgeon, teaches at Cornell University, is certified in wound care and has worked as a sports physician for 30 years.

"I have all the credentials and the capability and knowledge to handle everything," Abraham said.

In addition to the suspension, Bellini said he feels he's been unfairly targeted by the state. He and other volunteers for the group claim other promoters are more lax with state rules, but that inspectors are sent to every one of his Warriors of Wrestlers shows.

"[Other promoters] say their inspectors aren't always at their shows, but they're always at mine," Bellini said.

A spokesperson for the Department of State — which runs the Athletic Commission — did not respond to a request for comment.

Without his license, Bellini couldn't put on his September show under his name, and since his lawyer's on vacation, he can't make it to an upcoming hearing and likely won't get his license back in time for his Oct. 17 event.

While the suspension doesn't affect the wrestling school Bellini runs, he said it hurts it financially and puts his ability to host future shows in jeopardy — including numerous ones for charity.

"We do tons and tons of charity work and you're hurting a local business on Staten Island," he said.

"I’m trying to play in their rules, I just couldn’t find a doctor that they like."