newjerseynewsroom.com

Former champion was scheduled to speak on behalf of Ringside Lounge owner

BY ALICIA CRUZ

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Iron Mike Tyson was supposed to appear before the Jersey City police department's Alcohol Beverage Control board meeting to speak on behalf of longtime friend and owner of the Ringside Lounge in Jersey City, Mario Costa, but he was nowhere to be found when the 5 p.m. meeting commenced.

Costa's bar, Ringside Lounge, is located at the intersection of Route 1-9 and Manhattan Avenue and was the subject of a Nuisance to the Community complaint following several violent incidents at the bar, the last being the December 30 murder of 23 year-old Adrian Gerena.

Gerena's murder was the third violent incident to occur at the Ringside Lounge since 2004.

The Jersey City police department's ABC board said they were seeking to shut down Ringside for 40 days, the maximum penalty allowed by nuisance ordinance, but decided on another arrangement.

Costa and the board agreed that beginning Sunday, Feb. 14, the lounge will be closed for 18 consecutive Sundays and closing at midnight every other day versus 2 a.m., said city spokesman Stan H. Eason.

The hours the establishment will be closed add up to the equivalent of 32 days as opposed to the original 40 days the board first sought. Members of the board unanimously approved the arrangement. It seems Tyson's no-show stunt didn't hurt Costa, who Tyson claims to have known since 1983 and views as a brother to him.

Media reports quoted early comments made by Tyson in reference to the hearing as, "Look at the track record. (Costa) has never been linked to or involved with any of the incidents that took place here. He's a good man. Bad things happen to good people, and even happen in good places."

The murder of Gerena, a resident of Irvington, ended a cycle of violence at the lounge that began in December 2004 when rap mogul and promoter Robert "Tito" Montanez, was shot twice and later died from his injuries.

In September 2006, gunfire played out in the lounge's parking lot. Police said no one was injured, but they did recover numerous 9mm shell casings.

Other violent incidents have occurred at the lounge and although the incidents did not result in the death or serious injury of anyone, local residents say the bar is a "dump" located on one of "bleakest corners" in Jersey City that attracts an unsavory element.

JC Guy said, "The place has already had at least 3 murders and multiple shootings. Why bring people to a place where they can get murdered? Anyone with a little street smarts knows that once they've seen the element that is there, it's a violent place waiting to explode."