MONOPOLY IN U.S. BOXING

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28793, 14 January 1959, Page 15

MONOPOLY IN U.S. BOXING

Clubs Dissolved By Court

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 12. The United States Supreme Court today ordered the International Boxing Club (1.8. C. to break up its monopoly of championship fights and other big bouts. j&r

The Court, on a five to three vote, upheld a Lower Court’s decision by Judge Sylvester Ryan which found that the 1.8. C. violated the anti-trust laws by its operations in New York City and Chicago. The 1.8. C. controls Madison Square Garden in New York and the main arena in Chicago. The former 1.8. C. president (Mr James Norris), now president of Madison Square Garden, and other defendants, were ordered to carry out a series of steps to give up what the Government charged was a monopoly over championship fights. Judge Ryan ordered Mr Norris and the 1.8. C. director, Arthur Writz, to sell all of their Madison Square Garden stock within five years and to resign as directors and officers of the Garden. He also directed that the New York and Chicago Boxing Clubs be dissolved.

In addition. Madison Square Garden and the Chicago Stadium must be leased to any duly qualified fight promoter of a championship bout.