Clay Fight Is Banned Again

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31000, 4 March 1966, Page 15

Clay Fight Is Banned Again

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) MONTREAL. The Cassius Clay-Ernie Terrell world heavy-weight title fight appeared to have found a new home —Montreal— a Canadian city safe from American politicians and boxing commissions.

The bout has been chased out of New York and Chicago, and the promoters have been dissuaded from trying to stage it in any other city in the Vnited States. After the Illinois Athletic Commisskm banned the bout from Chicago yesterday. Mr Hike Malitz, head of Main Bout Incorporated, which owns the theatre-television rights to the fight announced it would be held in Montreal on the original date, March 29. The fight originally was scheduled for New York City. But the New York State

Athletic Commission refused to grant Terrell a licence on the grounds that he was linked with Bernie Glickman. whom they alleged was an associate of underworld figures. Moved to Chicago The site was moved to Chicago, and the Illinois Athletic Commission granted a licence to hold it on March 29. Clay was then re-classified by his draft board and made eligible for military call-up. He had earlier been rejected for service when he failed two intelligence tests. The talkative Clay complained that he was being treated unfairly by the draft board. He said they were discriminating against him and said he had no desire to be in the Army. Remarks “Disgusting” Governor Otto Kerner of Illinois called Clay’s remarks “unpatriotic and disgusting” and suggested the bout be barred from his State. Mayor Richard Daley also said he did not want the fight in tris city and the three Chicago newspapers all criticised the match. The Illinois AttorneyGeneral then ruled that the contract for the bout was illegal citing some technicalities that had not been enforced in years. Yesterday the Illinois commission announced ft had banned the fight.

Change to League.—The former West Coast Rugby League stand-off half, J. Menzies, a cousin of the Kiwi. G. Menzies, has applied for reinstatement. Menzies played Rugby for Blaketown last year and was a Greymouth representative.