Hope still for big fight

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 1

Hope still for big fight

By

JOHN COFFEY

Mr M. V. Drury, the president of the Canterbury Boxing Association, intends to press on with his hopes to get a world heavy-weight boxing championship bout in Christchurch later this year. The defeat of the great Muhammad Ali by Leon Spinks at Las Vegas yesterday has in no way dimmed his optimism. Indeed, Mr Drury feels that Spinks’s achievement in snatching the *rown from one of the ring’s most illustrious characters, and arguably the finest of all champion boxers has left him with more options. Mr Drury will offer Christchurch as a suitable arena for a rematch with Spinks. Another alternative would be for Spinks to have his first defence of the title in Christchurch. Mr Drury mentions

Ernie Shavers, who showed courage in his unsuccessful challenge against Ali. Mr Drury has had a second letter from the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) about his request for Government assistance to stage such a contest. There was no direct encouragement, but it would appear that the combatants would not be burdened by a double tax payment, they would be required only to pay tax on their return to the United States. A world bout would be of the utmost benefit to

both Christchurch and New Zealand, Mr Drury said. One member of the Christchurch City Council had already made a personal approach to him to support his proposition, he said. There have also been detractors. But Mr Drury doubts the assertion of an anonymous West Coast correspondent that the proposed bout between Ali and Norton was already allocated to Tunisia. All was reported to have said earlier this week that the

bout had not even been confirmed. The revenue to New Zealand from the influx of tourists would be considerable, but Mr Muldoon had not recognised this in his replies, said Mr Drury. “Mr Muldoon has not given th e slightest encouragement or inspiration to me to press ahead. It is not as far-fetched as he thinks—he has not got the vision to see that,” he said. “Maybe I made a mistake in going to the wrong fellow first. It is more important to contact Mr Dundee if Ali continues, or to find Spinks’s manager and a promoter in the United States.” He admits that will take time, and that it is unlikely that the new titleholder will make a hasty decision about his immediate future. A November date at Queen Elizabeth II Park appeals to Mr Drury. Ali’s defeat, Back page.