Boyd resigns from Titan Mercury after split verdict in assault case

Wayne Eric Boyd, co-founder and director of development for Titan Mercury Wrestling Club (TMWC), has resigned from the organization after a jury came to a split verdict in the trial where the former wrestler, producer and wrestling entrepreneur had been accused of physically and sexually abusing two women at his California ranch three years ago.

In a statement issued Monday after the verdict, TMWC said, "Mr. Boyd has submitted his immediate resignation to Titan Mercury Wrestling Club."

The 72-year-old Boyd, a state, conference and national champion wrestler, had faced a total of eight charges relating to an alleged assault at his Sky Valley ranch near Palm Springs in 2016. On Monday, the jury acquitted Boyd of five charges but found him guilty of three other charges: a sexual assault charge, a physical threat charge, and an assault and battery charge, all pertaining to one of the two reported victims, according to KESQ-TV.

Boyd maintains his innocence. Again quoting from the statement issued by Titan Mercury, "Mr. Boyd has informed us that he '...will be vigorously pursuing his appeal on all these charges; all of which were totally unfounded especially in light of the fact that the Prosecution granted the victim immunity for perjury and theft of money from me.'"

Boyd is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15.

Boyd has long been a fixture in amateur wrestling. The Long Island native was a three-time Virginia state wrestling champion at Norview High School in Norfolk, Va. Boyd then headed to Temple University, where he won EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) and NCAA mat titles in 1969. He was inducted into the Temple's athletics hall of fame in 1978.

In addition to his role in helping to establish Titan Mercury and the American Wrestling League, Boyd is also founder of WEB Productions, a multimedia entertainment firm.