Army Or Gaol: Clay’s Choice

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31345, 15 April 1967, Page 15

Army Or Gaol: Clay’s Choice

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

CHICAGO.

The world heavy-weight boxing champion, Cassius Clay, said yesterday he had not yet made up his mind whether he will go into the army willingly on April 28.

There have been some reports that Clay would prefer to go to gaol rather than enter the army, but the champion has kept his intentions to himself. “Which do I fear, God or the Government? That has to be my decision,” Clay said yesterday. Meanwhile, in Washington, his lawyers asked a Supreme Court justice for an injunction halting Clay’s army induction.

It was one of several legal steps to keep Clay out of the army. He claims exemption from military service on the grounds that he is a practising minister of the Black Muslim religious sect. Clay flew to Chicago from Las Vegas after his scheduled title defence against Floyd Patterson on April 25 was banned by the governors of Nevada and Pennsylvania, who term it a mis-match.

The fight was first scheduled to be held in Las Vegas but was banned by the Governor of Nevada, Paul Laxalt. The venue was transferred to Pittsburg, but within 24 hours had been vetoed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, Raymond P. Schafer.

Irish Soccer.—Results of Irish League City Cup soccer matches on Thursday were: Coleraine 2, Portadown 2; Linfield 3, Derry