Major League Baseball

Report: Ozzie impersonated Jose at event

Published Mar. 27, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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The firm Celebrity Boxing is heading to the bank Monday to put a stop to a $5,000 appearance fee for former baseball star Jose Canseco after it discovered the slugger sent his identical twin Ozzie to fight in his place, the Miami Herald reported.

The six-time All-Star was slated to fight celebrity trainer Billy Padden in Hollywood, Fla. on Saturday, but about 30 minutes before the bout it was discovered the Canseco preparing to enter the ring was not the same one who won two World Series.

A Celebrity Boxing representative, who chose not to be identified, said the firm realized it was the wrong Canseco when Ozzie took off his shirt shortly before the fight.

"[Ozzie] didn't have Jose's tattoos on the biceps that appear in our advertising," the representative said.

Celebrity Boxing had already paid the 46-year-old Jose Canseco $5,000 of the $10,000 purse he was set to receive for the appearance, and initially handed Ozzie a check of $5,000 on Saturday night before it realized it had fallen victim to the old switcheroo.

"Hours before the fight Saturday, we issued a check for the remaining $5,000 in the name of Jose Canseco, and we delivered it to whom we thought was Jose Canseco," the man explained.

"When we discovered that the person to whom we had given the rest of the money was not Jose but Ozzie, we asked him to return the check, but he refused to do it.

"We will go to the bank on Monday and put a stop-payment on it."

The fight was canceled on the night, with event promoter Damon Feldman having to inform the crowd of about 400 fans who had already assembled at Passion nightclub inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Ozzie Canseco also played in the major leagues, but his career lasted three seasons and 24 career games compared to his brother's 17 seasons and 1,887 games — and 462 career home runs, good for 32nd on the all-time list.