BOXING FRAUD CHARGE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27751, 31 August 1955, Page 11

BOXING FRAUD CHARGE

TRIAL FOR ALLEGED “RINGIN’’ (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 30. Three of the four men charged with conspiracy to defraud by “ringing-in” a boxer in a fight at Inverell last year, were committed for trial at the Inverell Court today. They are John William Philips, a boxing promoter, William Archibald Lawrence, a boxing trainer, and Jack Dempsey, a heavy-weight boxer. Mr Sheppard, S.M.. reserved his decision in the case of Alan Williams. New South Wales heavy-weight boxing champion, who is similarly charged. At today’s hearing, Detective-Ser-geant E. E. Canacott tendered statements which he said were made by Lawrence. Williams, and Dempsey. In his statement, Lawrence said that after the Inverell fight was arranged between Williams and Cecil Meredith, the Queensland heavy-weight champion, Phillips, came to him and sjaid he was unable to get in touch with Meredith.

Lawrence said Phillips then arranged for Jack Dempsey to fight as a reulacement. Lawrence said Phillips told him: “We have advertised this fight pretty extensively around Inverell and it will ruin everything if people find out that Williams is fighting Dempsey and not Meredith.” Lawrence said that when he complained about this situation, Phillips said: “Just keep your mouth shut.” In his statement, Williams said that some days before the fight, Lawrence had told him that Phillips had telephoned saying that Meredith was not available and Dempsey would be substituted. Williams said that the compere at the fight had introduced Dempsey as Meredith. A statement from Dempsey said he had been introduced to the Mayor of Inverell and a number of other people as the Queensland champion, Cecil Meredith.