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Mitri Here Until He Annexes Title European Middle Champion Picked Over Portuguez in 10-Round Clash at Garden By JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 15 UP .—When handsome Tiberio Mitri came to town from his training camp at Greenwood Lake, N. Y., today, he told reporters in understandable English: "Ill not leave this country till I win the world middleweight championship." One of the boxing writers at Stillmans Gymnasium said, "Maybe hell have to become a citizen." The experts will get an indication Friday night whether Mitri, middleweight champion of Europe, will some day return to his native Italy with the world 160-pound title, or must remain a crownless resident of the U. S. A. In Friday night the unbeaten Italian invader will make his American debut at Madison Square Garden in a 10-round bout with Tuzo Portuguez of Costa Rica, champion of Central America. Mitri was favored at 2-1 today to beat Portuguez. Tiberio came to the city to display his fistic wares in a public workout at Still-mans Gym. He will resume work at Greenwood Lake tomorrow. Has Chance to Annex Crown Observers who have watched his workouts at the lake report him to be a fast, aggressive fighter who is unusually rugged and who has a fair punch. They believe he has an excellent chance to"" hammer his way to the top. in the talent-packed middleweight division — the most active class in boxing today. His European record is impressive; unbeaten in 49 professional fights. Two draws prevent the record from being perfect. He won the European title by beating Cyrille Delannoit of Belgium in 15 rounds at Brussels on May 7, 1949. Delannoit is the toughie who surprised the boxing world by beating the late Marcel Cerdan a few months before Cerdan became world champion. He also scored an easy triumph over Laurent Dauthuille of France, who beat Jake La Motta a few months before La Motta won the world title from Cerdan. Another good middleweight, Dick Turpin of England, also bowed to the Italian. Tiberio successfully defended his European crown against Jean Stock at Paris on Dec. 12. To beat Portuguez Friday night. Mitri must be at least a good fighter for the rugged Central American has lost but five of his 50 professional, fights. He scored a technical knockout over highly touted Paddy Young of New York, but lost a close decision to Young in their return bout. Portuguez. went in as a substitute against the very capable Lester Felton at Detroit on May 5 and had the Detroiter in trouble v in the early rounds. However, he ran out of gas in the later going and lost the decision.
