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Al Weill Is Target Of Managers Guild Latter Unofficially States Video Items Wont Be Ironed OutWith Matchmaker in Post By BARNEY NAGLER NEW YORK, N. Y., May 2.— This is to report that Mr. Al Weill, the Madison Square Garden matchmaker, is a man of broad shoulders who is ready and able to fend off the efforts of the Boxing Managers Guild to force him out of his important post. Squaring his short frame in a large red-leathered chair in the International Boxing Clubs main sweat room yesterday,-Weill said, "if they keep knocking me for the things they say Ive done as matchmaker, let them. I know Ive played my job one way— straight. Ive got broad shoulders. I can take it." Weills name has come up in sidewalk beefs by the managers, currently involved in a dispute with the IBC over a larger share of the television proceeds from Garden bouts. While he isnt a direct factor in negotiations, the managers have said, unofficially, that the television controversy will not be straightened out as long as Weill continues as the Gardens matchmaker. He has been accused of bypassing certain fighters who allegedly deserve Garden booking. Moreover, he has been attacked because his heavyweight, Rocky Marciano, got two lush Garden assignments and because fighters managed by his former partner. Chick Wergeles, show up on one Garden card after another. Wants to Draw Best Horses "Only fighters that belong in the Garden get in there," Weill said in explanation, rather than defense. "I want to draw the best possible houses, no matter who the fighter is that brings them in." Weills difficulties arent the first since he took over when the D3C bought out old Mike Jacobs last spring. A short while ago, Weill was brought on the carpet by the Guilds executive committee to explain his actions. When Al got through speaking his defense, the managers went along with him, but not for long. He told them, in essence, that his management of Marciano, undefeated puncher from Brookton, Mass., was a fact known to all the fight world. "I had him before I became matchmaker," he reportedly told the manager, "and Ive still got him." This forthright manner won over Weills detractors. They applauded when he got through telling them the facts of fistic life, but went right back to knocking him in the weeks following. Now, with the Guild and the IBC locked in what might prove to be a long struggle of weakening consequences to both sides, Weill once again is a target. As one Guild member put it, this is the essence: "The television business would be settled a lot easier if Weill werent involved. He complicates this whole business." Officially, the Guilds policy oh Weill has been underlined by Charley Johnston, the president. Johnston expects a last-ditch battle with the IBC on the television, but insists: "Weill is not an issue. I know there are beefs against him, but our trouble is television, not Weill." However, the rank-and-file managers — guys who do not have main-event fighters — make Guild policy in open session because they outnumber the plutocrats. They are the incendiaries in the managers organization and most likely to stand up and aim epithets at him. So the major league fight picture is a complex one, often out of focus because of the rivalries and jealousies involved. But, sure as shooting, Weill is a target. Broad shoulders and all, he is in for trouble. For that matter, so is the International Boxing Club.
