Betham predicts tough fight with Korovou

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34099, 11 March 1976, Page 30

Betham predicts tough fight with Korovou

j .AZ Pr," WELLINGTON. The Common wealth middle-weight boxing champion. Monty Bet ham, expects the hardest tight of his career when he meets the big - punching Fijian. Al Korovou, in the Wellington Town Hall tonight. Korovou has so much in (his favour that he warrants jail of the respect the New (Zealander has for him. 1 Betham will be conceding I about a half stone in weight I more than he has before I in a tight — to an opponent I with the rare ability to end a bout with one punch. I “1 expect to beat Korovou. jof course," Betham said from Auckland yesterday. i But while he mightn’t be the best I have fought 1 expect him to be the toughest, 'because of his size and his punching power." i The Aucklander has been trying to build up his weight for the Korovou challenge, the second he will have I faced for his title, but to no avail. i “It’s been hopeless trying | to put on extra weight, said Betham. -I was only list 31b whet; I weighed myself today ano I I’ll probably be even lighter when 1 get into the ring. The Aucklander s ' difficulties — he is only 31b ' over the light middle-weigh J ■ iimit — would seem to bear 1 out the theory of his trainer. ' George Cammick and m, manager, Bob Jones, that he might have an even bigger future in the lighter divtKorovou, on the other ihand, is really a fined-down. 1 light heavy-weight. Mr Jones is usually cagey when talking of Betham's irospects for the fight. “If Monty fights the way te did against Semi Bula in Australia last month he s •,oing to get blasted out oi he ring," he said. “His footwork was terrible he was slow and ponlerous and his lefts were | ieffectual. “But thankfully he was ible to wear down Bula

'through being younger - iso fit." The title defence again; Bula, whom Betham steppe l in the ninth round, at !ea- ■ brought home to the Auw llander the tact that tit : challenges bring out the beI in opponents Korovou. ranked set ent lin the Commonwealth, is u the same nothing-to-lose catt Igory as was his fel!< i I Fijian "Let’s face it. toniorroi I night is going to be a read 'big test for Montv.' -aid M i Jones. “Anyone who can pic > ithe way Korovou has prove Ihe can must be a threat | “In Monty’s favour jthough, is the fact that he i i more vulnerable to hooks and jabs than hi is t Ithe right hands which K. i rovou is likely to be try in; Ito put on him. "It's hard to throw a ngh l without telegraphing it :■ (some way. while a snea! ileft can be mighty dan Igerous.”