New York Backs Clay To Keep World Title

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30399, 25 March 1964, Page 19

New York Backs Clay To Keep World Title

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, March 24. Cassius Clay scored two victories yesterday in his campaign to remain the world heavy-weight boxing champion, United Press International reported.

The New York State’s Athletic Commission announced it would continue to recognise Clay as champion regardless of any action that the World Boxing Association might take. The W.B.A. president (Mr E. Lassman), who hopes to have Clay’s title vacated within the week “for conduct detrimental to boxing,” said at Miami: “Of course, Clay might be reinstated as champion within five or six months if his conduct improves.” In New York, Clay said: “That New York Commission is- the smartest. It knows I’m the greatest—and that I

certainly can’t lose my title outside the ring, anyway.” Telephone Poll Meanwhile, at New Orleans, the W.B.A. championship committee chairman, Mr E. Bruneau, began a telephone poll of his seven fellowcommitteemen to see whether they would vote to dethrone Clay.

Mr Bruneau had hoped to announce the result of his poll tonight, but the late arrival of official direction from Mr Lassman delayed the start of the poll a few hours. The former heavy-weight champion, Sonny Liston, was unluckier today than Clay. In announcing continued recognition of Clay, the chairman of the New York Commission, General Melvin Krulewitch, ruled out the possibility of a return ClayListon title fight at the New York World’s Fair. ” General Krulewitch emphasised that New York did not approve return bout contracts, and that Liston has no licence to box in the State of New York. Freedom of Speech Commenting on the bid to take away Clay’s title, Gen-

eral Krulewitch said: “Within the limits of the Constitution the right to freedom of speech and to religious beliefs are inviolate. “No title of a world champion has ever been vacated because of religion, race, or personal - beliefs. “The New York State Athletic Commission will continue to recognise Cassius Clay as world’s heavy-weight champion,” he said. General -Krulewitch added that he was calling a meeting of four leading heavy-weight contenders on Thursday to “complete arrangements” for an elimination tournament to produce a challenger for'Clay. The four invited to the meeting were a former champion, Floyd Patterson, Doug Jones, Eddie Machen, and Cleveland Williams.