Mixed martial arts Promoters Christos Piliafas and Scott DiPonio were is for a surprise, when they learned one their fighters had become a suspect in a holdup in Michigan, according to the Associated Press.
Their confusion stemmed from the fact that, a couple weeks ago, they were helping the family of this fighter raise money—for his funeral.
The two promoters were told Charles Rowan, 25, died in a car crash in February while heading to his fifth fight.
Rosalinda Martinez, Rowan’s girlfriend, relayed the faulty information. But she, Rowan and their friend Michael Bowman were all in court on Friday. Standing before a judge in Gladwin Park, Michigan, the three were brought up on charges of armed robbery and assault with intent to murder.
According to the AP, DiPonio was unaware of the rouse until he saw Rowan’s mug shot while watching TV. He then learned his former fighter was being investigated for the robbery of the store Guns and Stuff.
Richard Robinette, owner of the store located in Clinton Township, Michigan, was beaten and taken to the hospital. According to the AP, he's in serious, but stable condition.
After seeing the picture DiPonio said he and his girlfriend were both in shock.
"I almost passed out. It was literally that bad. My girlfriend looked at me and immediately just started crying," he told the AP. "I was in disbelief. ... It took me literally an hour until I could actually focus and think again. It was just unbelievable."
Pilifias is a professional fighter known as “The Mad Greek.” He said that when he learned Rowan had lied, he was a little bit more than in disbelief.
"It made me sick to my stomach. I was furious. I was livid," he told the AP. "It's not so much about the money. It's just how many people were involved in this scam. ... The little bit that I knew [about] this kid, I never would have thought that he'd try to pull some Machiavelli crap like that."
Pilifias and DiPionio will be taking their own action against Rowan in a civil suit.
"I want to press charges to the fullest extent," Palifias said. "For them to do that, just makes me sick."
