Title light dispute

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33493, 26 March 1974, Page 12

Title light dispute

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright CARACAS (Venezuela). A dispute over the referee has thrown the George Fore-man-Ken Norton heavyweight title fight into a stew of Latin tempers, threats and mad confusion.

No-one seems to doubt, however, that the 15-round bout will go on as scheduled today (at 2.30 p.m., N.Z. time).

D. Sadler, Foreman’s fiery ] little trainer, showed up at a ] scheduled rules meeting on Sunday, and, immediately stalked out.

“We agreed to a world .championship fight which 'would have the approval of the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Council,” he said. "If this can t be done, then we will strike out the word “world” and fight for the championship of Caracas. •

“We want to fight. We’ll fight in a hotel bedroom if necessary. Just as long as the promoters put our $700,000 guarantee in escrow in the United States.”

The squabble arose over . wording- of the contract and 'proper jurisdiction, but it centred mainly on the identity of the judges and the ! referee. Sadler wants an American. (Mr J. Rondeau, as the third man in the ring. The Venezuelan Boxing Commission insists that this is its private I prerogative. It wants to designate a set of Venezuelan officials.