NY congressman King boxes against former champ

WANTAGH, N.Y. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Peter King of New York has survived a two-round bout in the ring with former kickboxing champion "Irish'' Josh Foley.

Newsday reports (http://bit.ly/YTBM64) that the Long Island Republican squared off Saturday with Foley before a crowd of 400 in a Wantagh (WAHN'-tah) pub. No winner was declared.

King is an avid boxing fan. He agreed to the fight to raise money for the business of his friend and trainer.

The newspaper said the 68-year-old congressman held his own against his 31-year-old opponent. Foley is several inches shorter and about 50 pounds lighter than the 230-pound King.

The congressman's fight had been criticized as an ethics violation by a watchdog group that says ethics rules prevent representatives from appearing to favor one business.

King defended the fundraiser as appropriate.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com