World title bout
NZPA-Reuter Las Vegas
The top-ranked contender, Greg Page, Is the marginal favourite to win the World Boxing Council (W.8.C.) heavyweight title vacated by Larry Holmes in Decemver when he meets the second-ranked Tim Witherspoon in Las Vegas this afternoon.
Page was 9-5 favourite less than a week ago, but the odds have gradually dropped. Some odd-makers in this gambling capital believe that Page will enter the ring for the 12-round fight as the 6-5 favourite. Some of Witherspoon’s late-found support is attributable to his impressive sparring sessions. Conversely, Page has looked lacklustre and, at times, almost lethargic in his workouts.
Page, aged 25, has a record of 23-1 with 18 knockouts while Witherspoon, aged 26, has a record of 17-1 with 12 knockouts.
The 34-year-old Holmes, unbeaten in 45 professional fights, relinquished the W.B.C. title last December after he was unable to agree to terms for a mandatory defence against Page. Holmes was then recognised as champion by the fledgling International Boxing Federation (1.8. F. He is scheduled to make his first defence of that title against a former World Boxing Association (W.8.A.) champion, John Tate, on April 6 in Reno.
Gerrie Coetzee, of South Africa, holds the W.B.A. title. For the first time in boxing history, after the Page-Witherspoon bout, the title will be shared by three fighters. The title will be divided in two again this summer when Holmes meets Coetzee, with both of their titles at stake.
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Bibliographic details
Press, 10 March 1984, Page 76
Word Count
243World title bout Press, 10 March 1984, Page 76
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