Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007

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Bodog's Calvin Ayre vs. Scott Lewis

By Arthur Crowson

After verbally sparring with him for the past month Bodog founder Calvin Ayre has challenged 1st Technology LLC CEO Dr. Scott Lewis to an MMA-style fight.

The slightly eccentric millionaire Ayre made his bold challenge on his blog on Friday.

"I, Calvin Ayre, am challenging 1st Tech's Scott Lewis to a 3-round Bodog Fight rules MMA face pounding," he wrote. "Think he'll go for it? I've got a million bucks that says even if he does - and wins the fight - I'll still come out on top."

According to Ayre, Lewis and his company are responsible for "stealing" Bodog's domain and essentially holding it for ransom. After losing rights to its domain name, Bodog switched to using first NewBodog and then BodogLife. In his blog Ayre has written in the past that Bodog has no plans to give even a cent to the company holding its original domain name. Bodog is of course a massive multi-media entertainment company that features online poker and casinos.

In the most recent installment of the conflict, 1st Technology has issued a statement that says Ayre will be required to make an appearance in U.S. court or face a warrant for his arrest. Ayre's legal status in the U.S. is murky at best and it's likely he would be arrested as soon as he crossed the border.

In the statement 1st Technology also state that they intend to give a portion of the judgment proceeds to charity and educational concerns. It's unknown exactly what that percentage would be and critics are wondering if it's a ploy to sway public opinion.

Ayre blasted Lewis in his blog calling him an "...unethical thieving Patent Troll" who steals money from a legitimate product that has a leading position in the marketplace.

Ayre proposed that he would set up $1 million in a trust fund with a lawyer. The fight would be scheduled for three rounds with Bodog fight rules in a jurisdiction in which the company is licensed. The stakes? If Lewis wins he gets $1 million from Ayre but if Ayre wins Lewis would return the Bodog domains. Ayre mentioned the fight could be produced and televised by BodogTV.

This isn't the first slightly obtuse course of action Ayre has suggested. Originally when the domain name was stolen Ayre proposed a patent troll dance competition for Bodog employees. They were encouraged to dress up in their best patent troll gear and film themselves dancing to "Dueling Banjos," from the infamous movie Deliverance. There was a $1,000 prize awarded to the winner.

This time Ayre cut straight to the point and said simply, "Scott Lewis: you want money. I want to hit you... repeatedly. In a lawful way, of course."

Ayre ended his blog by restating his challenge: "Three rounds. What do you say?"

Related Articles:

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• Bodog Poker Moves Again
• Calvin Ayre Continues Blog Assault on Lawsuit
• Bodog Signs with Morris Mohawk Gaming Group
• Bodog Entertainment Adjusts During Legal Dispute
• Mel Molnick Behind Bodog Closure?
• New Home For Bodog Poker

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