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And in this corner, a condo lien

A St. Petersburg condominium association says boxer Winky Wright owes fees and fines.

By MELANIE AVE, Times Staff Writer
Published October 19, 2007

Winky Wright, 35, right, says he was unaware of the pending lien foreclosure lawsuit. His most recent fight was in July when he lost to Bernard Hopkins, left.
	[Getty Images]

But Winky Wright's latest opponent isn't a gloved middleweight with a swift right jab.

Wright is squaring off against his homeowners association in north St. Petersburg, which claims the boxer owes maintenance fees and fines.

If Wright, 35, doesn't pay up, the Venetian Bay Property Owners Association plans to seize ownership of his 3,500-square-foot condo.

On Wednesday, the association filed notice of a pending lien foreclosure lawsuit against Wright in Pinellas County Circuit Court.

A reporter's calls to the association and its attorney were not returned.

Reached by phone, Wright said he was unaware of a "lien foreclosure on nothing. I have no idea about that."

His attorney, Jim Wilkes, said the bill for the fees was most likely overlooked in Wright's recent split with his longtime girlfriend, Tammye Ryan, mother of two of his children.

"I don't think this is much of a story," Wilkes said. "I don't know why they filed a pending lawsuit when they could have just made a phone call."

Records show Wright bought the condominium at the Portofino of Venetian Bay in July 2006 for $800,000 - with no mortgage.

The two-story cream stucco units border Old Tampa Bay, off Gandy Boulevard. The units are surrounded by a large wall and black iron gates that open only for residents and their guests.

Wright's condo has a pool, fireplace, boat slip and two-car garage.

In November, the association filed a lien on Wright's property, saying he owed the association $1,195 in fees, about four month's worth.

In a St. Petersburg Times story about Wright in December, he, Ryan and their two children were still moving into the condominium.

Wilkes said Ryan and the children still live in the condominium.

The association said Wright is required to pay $314 monthly in maintenance and special fees.

But Wright said he's not sure he has to pay the fees since he paid cash for his condominium.

Wilkes said Wright's assistant was trying Thursday to find out how much was owed, but said it would be paid.

Wright has been a professional boxer for the past 16 years. He's known as a great defensive fighter and has beaten some of the sport's finest. His most recent fight was in July in Las Vegas, when he lost to Bernard Hopkins. Wright earned $2-million before his pay-per-view revenue split.

Times researcher Carolyn Edds and staff writer John Cotey contributed to this report. Melanie Ave can be reached at mave@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8813.

[Last modified October 19, 2007, 01:53:17]