PATTERSON FIGHT “FRAUD ON THE PUBLIC”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 9

PATTERSON FIGHT “FRAUD ON THE PUBLIC”

Boxing Assoc, Seeking Senate Investigation

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) PATERSON, New Jersey, July 24. The commissioner of the World Boxing Association, Mr Abe Greene, today forecast a “major scandal” would erupt if bouts like the Sonny Liston—Floyd Patterson fight were permitted, United Press International reported.

Mr Greene, in telegrams to Senators Estes Kefauver and Harrison A. Williams, also called for a United States Senate investigation of the “promotional cartel.’

Mr Greene said that Monday night’s Las Vegas, Nevada, bout in which Liston flattened Patterson in one round for the second time never should have occurred.

The fight pointed out the necessity for tighter control of boxing, he told the Senators. Mr Greene said Cassius Cloy would make a better showing against Liston than Patterson did. but added: "He is at least a year away end he should be fighting other heavy-weights during that time." U.P.I. said. The commissioner said in the telegram; "The World Boxing .Association had taken a stand against a return bout between the two heavyweights. but the promotional cartel which has handled the championship contests in recent years flaunted all authority and proceeded with a second bout. . . . "There was no place in sport for the second match Everyone conceded this, sportswriters, knowledgeable boxing men, all assailed it

"But the promoters’ cartel had Liston so thoroughly tied up with a shackling contract that a place had to be found for it. ‘Patterson should have been obliged to justify his position wrth a match against one of the other heavyweights, at least to wear off his anxiety complex. "Made A Sucker” “Literally forcing fans to pay more than 2.000,000 dollars (about £803,000) for the two matches, which together consumed less than five minutes of ring time, is a fraud on the public, which has been made a sucker,” Mr Greene said. He said the answer was strong federal control “to curb the promoters’ cartels which are taking everything out of boxing without making one single contribution to its advancement or its welfare." The former world heavyweight champion. Jack Dempsey, said today that Patterson should quit. The 68-year-old "Mannassa Mauler” said of Patterson; "He’s an amateur, not a fighter. He can’t take a punch, and personally I don’t think he can fight.”

Dempsey said, in an interview with Canadian Press in Toronto, that he himself had quit the fight game because he “didn't want to get hurt.” He said that Patterson should do the same. The Same Thing

“He’s a nice guy and has plenty of dough. He doesn’t need to fight,” Dempsey said.

“I didn’t want to see the fight. I had a chance to go. but heck, it’s just the same thing all over again.” Two other former world heavy-weight champions, Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis, also said Patterson should now retire. “After the first knock-out, Patterson wanted to prove to himself and everybody that he could beat Liston.” said Louis. “Well, the same thing happened. I think Floyd has lost all interest now and will quit.” Marciano agreed with Louis. “I don’t think Patterson is interested any more,” he said. "He should think about retirement very strongly.” When Liston was asked after the fight whether he thought Patterson would quit, he said: “Who am I to tell a bird it can’t fly?”