BOXING

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 14

BOXING

SUSPENSIONS ORDERED BEFORE U.S. FIGHT

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) AUSTIN (Texas), December 20

The State Labour Commissioner (Mr M. B. Morgan) today announced the suspension of two Californian welterweight boxers for allegedly agreeing to “throw” a fight at San Antonio. Mr Morgan said he had indefinitely suspended Art Aragon, a prominent boxer, for ‘‘arranging with his opponent to take a dive.” Dick Goldstein, Aragon’s opponent, was suspended for 30 days for “agreeing to take a dive.” although hR strenuously denied any intention of going through with it. said Mr Morgan The suspensions bar either fighter from boxing in any State but New York.

Mr Morgan said that Aragon, who is third in the welter-weight ranking, had offered Goldstein 500 dollars to deliberately lose the bout. He said that Goldstein had agreed, but later refused to give Aragon the 500 dollars Aragon had demanded as evidence of his good intentions. Aragon had said he would return that 500 dollars with another 500 dollars after the bout, said Mr Morgan. But Goldstein had gone to the police and told them the story.

The bout was scheduled for Tuesday night, but was cancelled because Goldstein said he had a sore throat.

BRITISH PROMOTER DEAD (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 20.

Mr Johnny Best, the Liverpool stadium promoter, known in boxing as the "Maker of Champions,” died at his home at West Derby. Liverpool, yesterday. Mr Best was 70. After being associated with such fighters as Nat WiHiams. Johnny Summers. and Alf Hoard, he became promoter at the old Liverpool Stadium, where at once time he was the principal second. In 1952. having promoted at various small halls after the old stadium had closed. Mr Best founded the new Liverpool Stadium, and had been its managing director ever since.