‘NOT FIT IN TIME’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30841, 28 August 1965, Page 13

‘NOT FIT IN TIME’

November Title Fight

“1 could not possibly fight before December 2, and would not do so because 1 would not be fit enough to give of my best,” said the New Zealand professional light-weight boxing champion, Dion Murphy, last evening. He was commenting on a report that the New Zealand Boxing Council chairtnan (Mr H. N. Hunt) said Murphy had been ordered to defend his title before November 13. “I have been convalescing after my hernia operation. I have just started serious training. I could not be really fit by November 13.” Murphy said.

DATE IMPORTANT The date is important because the Wellington Boxing Association is bidding to stage the title bout between Murphy and Manoel Santos (Auck'andl on November 13 with a £1250 purse and the Canterbury association has offered to stage the bout on December 2 with a £l5OO purse. Murphy said he had received no letter from the Boxing Council ordering him to defend his title before November 13. This could be because he had changed his address recently. The arbitrary setting of November 13 as the date before which Murphy must defend his title is puzzling. Murphy told Christchurch newspaper reporters that he had retired from boxing on May 25. He did not officially inform the Boxing Council of his retirement nor hand in his profes sional boxing licence. Because of the need for surgery Murphy announced his >-eti-«ment—probably prematurely. INTERPRETATION The Boxing Council, presumably, has decided that Murphy retired in June and has ordered that he defend his title before November 13 because that is six months after his retirement.

Murphy said last evening that he had no official knowledge of Santos challenging for the light-weight title until last month. On August 23, he conveyed, in a letter delivered to the council by Mr E. G. Pocock, president of the C.8.A., the information that he would defend his title. On the ground that he had six months in which to defend the title after a challenge had been lodged, Murphy holds that he should not be ordered to fight earlier than January or February next. However, he is ready, and will be fit, to box by December 2, without any preliminary bouts.