Gay on way back

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32406, 19 September 1970, Page 48

Gay on way back

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) NEW YORK.

The New York State Athletic Commission yesterday yielded to a court order and agreed to consider granting Cassius Clay a boxing licence, clearing the way for him to reclaim the world heavy-weight title that was taken away from him three years and a half ago, United Press International reported. Clay’s licence was invalidated and he was stripped of his title by the commis-

sion on April 28, 1967, only moments after he refused to be inducted into the Army. Clay subsequently was convicted of draft evasion, but is free on bail pending an appeal. Every other major boxing authority followed the New York commission’s lead, but recently Clay was granted a licence in Atlanta for a fight against Jerry Quarry on October 26.

Now that Clay is able to get a licence in New York, Hie Quarry bout appears to be a step towards a meeting with Joe Frazier, who became Clay’s successor as champion after a series of i elimination fights. Mr Teddy Brenner, the Madison Square Garden match-maker, said he would try to arrange a bout for the 28-year-old Clay as soon as Clay received a New York ! licence. ' Clay’s last bout was in Madison Square Garden on March 22, 1967 —a successful I title defence with a seventh- : round technical knock-out Zora Folley.