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: » NBA Has Problems In All Divisions Jake LaMotta Must Improve Condition for Title Bout; Ezzard Faces Medical Exam By JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 1.— The National Boxing Association will begin this week to eliminate some of the unprecedented confusion in the fight game. It will ask Middleweight Champion Jake LaMotta to disclose his plans for a title defense, and it will have Heavyweight Champion Ezzard Charles examined by a staff of physicians at Chicago. LaMotta of New York hasnt defended the 160-pound crown since he won it from Marcel Cerdan last. June 16. Charles, recognized as champion only by the N. B. A., was forced to postpone twice a title defense against Freddie Beshore because of a heart muscle injury by a fractured rib. LaMotta displayed such poor physical condition on Dec. 16, when he lost a non-title decision to Robert Villemain of France, that both the N. B. A. and the New York Boxing Commission granted him a delay for a crown defense. Commissioner Abe Greene of the N. B. A. said today, "LaMotta would be required to assure the association this week that he could be in condition for a defense in June and that he would be willing to defend against an opponent recognized by the N. B. A. as a logical contender." Greene added, "those assurances must be given us in writing." Meanwhile, Ezzard Charles will be examined at Chicago, probably on Thursday or Friday, by physicians of the Ulinois Athletic Commission. If his "ticker" is pronounced okay by the medicos, Ezzard probably will go through with his title defense against Beshore at Buffalo, N. Y., on June 1 of course, hell have to undergo ah additional examination by New York State physicians. Greene disclosed today that a recent report from a physician in Cincinnati said Charles heart was in such good condition the champion had been permitted to begin light training. Cincinnati is Ezzards home town. Maxim Wants Heavyweight Bout On this May 1 there were many other causes of confusion in boxing. Light Heavyweight Champion Joey Maxim was seek-weight Champion Joey Maxim was seeking competition In the heavyweight division because he claimed there was no worthwhile challengers for his 175-pound crown. Sugar Ray Robinson, welterweight champ, was negotiating for a match that might give him challengers rights to a shot at LaMottas middleweight title. Sugar Ray licked LaMotta in four of their five fights before Bronx Jake became a middleweight ruler. Robinson claims theres no logical contender in his own welter division, but the managers of Billy Graham and Charles Fusari dispute that. Lightweight Champion Ike Williams is out of action with a broken hand. Promoter Jim Norris of the International Boxing Club hasnt been able to match Featherweight Champion Willie Pep and Sandy Saddler for their "big" return bout. Manuel Ortiz, bantam champ, has been suspended by the N. B. A. for failing to defend against Danny OSullivan of England. Meanwhile, Ortiz of El Centro, Calif., has flown to South Africa to meet against Vic Toweel at Johannesburg on May 20. Although Ortiz is under suspension, Toweel will be recognized as champ by the N. B. A. if he beats Ortiz. Little Manuel has been guaranteed 0,000 for risking his crown. Terry Allen of England, who became flyweight champion by beating Honore Pretest of France on April 25, Is under pressure now from the N. B. A. To make a quick defense against Dado Marino of Hawaii. Should Allen fail to sign for a Marino bout, the N. B. A. might withdraw its recognition. Adding to the confusion, the New York Managers Guild has notified Norris that the guild will "go on strike" when the Guild-International contract expires on May 31, unless Norris and his I. B. C. give main-event boxers 50 per cent of television and radio receipts for fight shows at Madison Square Garden. The guild claims the International receives 7,500 from television and radio for each Garden fight show. And the club gives main-event fighters but ,000 each from that 7,500.
