World Title Fight Sought By Auckland

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 15

World Title Fight Sought By Auckland

(yew Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. An international boxing promoter is interested in underwriting a world light heavy-weight title fight in Auckland between the current champion, Jose Torres (Puerto Rico), and the winner of next week’s Eddie Cotton (United States) and Sipa Fine (Auckland) encounter at Carlaw Park.

Cotton’s manager, Mr George Chemeres, disclosed this to Auckland Boxing Association officials shortly after his arrival in Auckland from the United States yesterday. The promoter is a Los Angeles-domiciled Greek, Mr George Parnassus, who to date, according to Mr Chemeres, has promoted close on 35 world title fights in the United States, Mexico and the Orient. Mr Chemeres said that Mr Parnassus showed his interest

in a world title fight for Auckland just prior to Cotton and Mr Chemeres leaving for New Zealand. He would, if agreement could be reached between all parties concerned, completely underwrite the venture, using the Auckland association’s machinery to stage the fight The Auckland association is more than interested in the approach, made through Mr

Chemeres, but will not commit itself until more details can be obtained from Mr Parnassus. To this end Mr Parnassus I will be telephoning Auckland from Mexico City tonight. He is in Mexico for a large promotion he is underwriting there. It is understood that it would take an offer somewhere in the region of £17.000 to tempt Torres to defend his title in Auckland. Asked what the chances were of getting Torres to accept an Auckland fight, Mr Chemeres replied: “Money talks, and Mr Parnassus makes big offers. “From Cotton’s point of view, we’d be willing to toss in our end of the purse to get Ton’es here because we feel we’ll get a fair roll in New Zealand.” he added. “We’d take our chance on making money out of the title afterwards.”