SELECTION OF JOE LOUIS’S SUCCESSOR: PLAN ANNOUNCED

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1948, Page 4 (Supplement)

SELECTION OF JOE LOUIS’S SUCCESSOR: PLAN ANNOUNCED

The National Boxing Association has a plan for selecting the successor to Joe Louis—if and when the heavyweight champion retires. Abe J. Greene, president of the N.B.A. told a reporter his group was prepared to recognise the winner of an eliminating tournament —between Jersey Joe Walcott, Gus Lesnevich, Jimmy Bivins, and Ezzard Charles—as the new heavyweight king if the “Brown Bomber” officially calls it quits. But. Greene emphasised, “we will not force Louis to resign. We will do nothing that might reflect unfavourably on Louis, great champion that he is.” Greene said Louis still had until December to make up his mind and champion would act by that time. While Louis has insisted he’ll quit

the ring as undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, there have been repeated rumours the “Brown Bomber”

might make one more defence of the title he has held longer than any other fighter. “We would demand that a title holder defend his crown at least once during the first six months against one of the logical contenders or another outstand-

ing challenger. “During the second six months of a title reign, the champion would be called upon to meet one of the logical contenders.”