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Norris Prefers Graziano As Opponent for LaMotta Colorful Challenger Would Draw x Largest Gate, IBC Head States NEW YORK. N. Y., May 10 UP. — James D. Norris, president of the International Boxing Club, said today he preferred ex-champion Rocky Graziano as a middleweight title opponent for Jake LaMotta at Yankee Stadium on June 14. Norris emphasized, that although no challenger has been picked yet for the Stadium fight, he believed the colorful Graziano would be the most popular challenger and draw the largest gate. The gate should range between 00,000 and 50,000. The IBC prexy explained that Laurent Dauthuille- of France and the winner of Friday nights Garden fight between Paddy Young of New York and Charlie Fusari of Irvington, N. J., were still being considered .as possible challengers. Norris stated that welterweight champion Ray Robinson was definitely "out" as a challenger for LaMottas middleweight crown, despite the fact that Robinson appeared at IBC headquarters today and said he still could withdraw from his Philadelphia fight with Robert Villemain on June 5 if -he could get the LaMotta shot. Norris said there were two reasons why Robinson no longer was under consideration: first, because he had already signed for the Philadelphia fight, and second, because the New York Boxing Commission will not permit him to sign for a middleweight title fight until he first gives up his welterweight crown. He. said Robinson has persistently refused to give up the 147-pound crown until he would have won the 160-pound diadem.
