MANAGERS PREDICT KNOCK-OUT

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 19

MANAGERS PREDICT KNOCK-OUT

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) LONDON. The managers of Cassius Clay and Henry Cooper agree on one thing for the world heavy-weight boxing fight next Saturday—it will be won on a knock-out.

Their agreement ends there. Clay’s manager, A. Dundee, believes Clay will knock Cooper out “between the fourth and sixth.” Jim Wicks, Cooper's manager, said that no fighter could go 15 rounds without making a mistake, and when Clay made one, Cooper would “knock him out for certain.” Dundee, who has handled six world champions in 18 years, said it would be a tough fight early, but Clay would prove the stronger. “I expect it to end between the fourth and sixth, and I think the champion will knock Cooper out.” He said he did not think Cooper’s left hook was overrated. “We know Cooper is a great finisher once he has a man going. “In that respect he is a rare bird. But we have train-

ed for boxing, not fighting and the object is not to gel hit by Cooper.” Dundee said: “If he is hit, remember that Cassius is three years older, more mat ure, and more experienced than last time at Wembley. “He is also the world champion and that makes s difference.” Cooper's manager believes .Clay fears Cooper’s punching power. “Cooper will knock him out for certain,” Wicks said. “Let Clay make one mis take and he is gone, and there is not a fighter in the world

who can go 15 rounds without making a mistake. “If Henry hits him on the whiskers he will not get up.” Dundee said that Clay had fined down and had sparred only one day in the last four. Cooper plans to finish serious training on Wednesday. Asked if he thought Cooper might get cut, Wicks said: “He tray get cut, and the other fellow may get hit on the whiskers. “Psychologically Clay has most to fear and judging by the way he is training down to weight he is a very worried man.”