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1 ; • [ : ! r 1 ! 1 5 1 1 ■ • 1 • 1 - 1 ■ • r s ■ - r a • J Chairman of BBBC Luncheon Speaker British in Accord With NBA on All Points Except Question of Heavy Champ By BARNEY NAGLER NEW YORK, N. Y., May 9.— The National Boxing Association and the British Board of Boxing Control may differ on the question of who is the world heavyweight champion, but are united on all other problems confronting the ring sport. This was clearly underlined by Abe J. Greene, NBA czar, and J. Onslow Fane, BBBC chairman, at the luncheon of the New York Boxing Writers Association at Al and Dicks yesterday. Right in New York town, where Eddie Eagan, arch foe of international boxing co-operation, holds forth as boss, Greene and Fane swapped words of mutual praise. Then, by way of showing that deeds were of the essence, Greene announced that the NBA was going along with the BBBC in recognition of Terry Allen, little Briton, as world flyweight champion. The NBA and New York State had withheld recognition after the British named Allen the champion because he had outpointed Honore Pratasi. Yesterday Greene stepped before the fight writers and conceeded that Allen was the 112-pound champion successor to Rinty Monoghan, who had resigned. Eagan, who might have done the same • if he were present, wasnt heard from. He had been invited to the dine-and-chin party, but had begged off at the last moment. Describes Present Situation Greene was particularly emphatic in describing the urgent situation confronting boxing on the matter of championships. "Boxing is in need of friends now more than ever," he said. "It has enemies on every side. We expect outside attacks, but there must be cooperation within the sport. "We must make champions defend then-titles every six months, not whenever the spirit moves them. And we must insist that they meet the most logical contender, and not some hand-picked fellow. I cite this especially In the case of Jake LaMotto, the middleweight champ. "He and other champions must be made to feel that the title is given to them and that they are not self-proclaimed. We must do this or the sport will suffer dam- age beyond repair." He then turned to Fane and the absent Mr. Eagan in a call for help. "If youll serve notice on this kind of champion — if you stand with me— well prove the six- month rule is effective." Fane concurred in this Judgment, but felt it necessary to explain why the self- appointed BBBG, which hasnt any official status in England, had decided to recog- nige the winner of the Bruce Woodcock-Lee Savold fight in London June 6, as the world champion. The NBAs bossman is Ezzard Charles. Little to Choose Among Contenders He said there was little to choose among the contenders, but that Woodcock had only been defeated twice in his career. "If you can show me any other heavyweight with such a record, well be glad to call him in for consideration." Fane, whose language and manner fits the Hollywood version of the Briton, drew laughter when he explained Woodcocks so-called knockout of Lee Oma in London two years ago. "Weve come to forget that one," he said, "but when we do, we always think of your American as Lee Odor." He underlined the obvious by saying that the winner of the Woodcock-Savold fight should take on Ezzard Charles. "Then we would have a champion all would recog- nize." Gene Tunney, whose retirement in 1928 precipitated the same kind of rhubarb as Joe Louis resignation did last year, was on the dais. He received an award from . the Helms Foundation Of California as an outstanding figure in sports. Tunneys circumlocution was at its usual best. However, he did convey that he felt boxing was a great sport and that sports writers, more than any other writing group, did more to mold the character of the American youth. It was interesting.
