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Murphy Choice to Defeat LaMotta Ex-Sailor Punches ► Too Hard for Jake Expect More Than 30,000 | To Witness Controlled TV Battle at Yankee Stadium By JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., June 26.— It will be Jake LaMottas wild body smashes against Bob Murphys explosive left uppercuts in tomorrow nights scheduled 12-round light-heavyweight contenders fight at Yankee I Stadium. ] More than 30,000 were expected to pay 00,000 to watch this apparent "natural" between two all-out sluggers who scorn science for sock. The promise of fair weather, and the elimination of television and radio for the general public were customer* stimulants. Experimental televising to 11 theaters in [ eight cities outside the New York area was | not expected to harm the gate. Southpaw Murphy, a red-haired ex-sailor from San Diego, Calif., was favored ; to spoil the ex-middleweight champions first comeback attempt and to ruin his debut as a light-heavyweight. A victory by the sharp-featured but sleek-bodied Murphy would be popular. The Irish blaster completely captivated eastern fans by his fiery performances since he invaded New York last November. I Each of his rounds has been a "war." LaMotta, the unpopular "Bronx Bull," will be making his first start since he lost the 160-pound crown to Sugar Ray Robinson on a thirteenth-round technical knockout at Chicago, February 14. Victory for the stocky, swarthy New Yorker probably would mean an August shot at the 175-pound title; for promoter Jim Norris of the International Boxing Club has promised the winner a crack at champion Joey Maxim. But a knockout defeat probably would send Bronx Jake into retirement. A kayo defeat would indicate that LaMottas "St. Valentines Massacre" by Sugar Ray resulted from LaMottas being washed-up rather than from his being weakened by paring down to the 160-pound limit for Robinson. Irish Bob, nearly 29, was favored over Italian Jake, nearly 30, for several reasons. Firstly, Bob appeared better equipped. His Unruly shock of auburn hair is three inches above Jakes black thatch. He has an advantage of five and one-fourth inches in reach. He is a natural light heavyweight who will scale just under the contracted figure of 176 pounds; whereas Jake will be experimenting with his blubber. To Scale Between 174 and 175 LaMotta, hoping to obtain power, speed and stamina from increased weight, planned to scale between 174 and 175 pounds at the weigh-in tomorrow noon. He will be his heaviest since he became prominent. He will register at least 14 pounds more than for the Robinson bout. Some trainers believe 168 would have been a better weight, and that he will flounder at 174. In equipment, Murphy would seem to have advantages also in punch and style. He knocked out 53 of his 63 professional opponents. LaMotta belted out 28 of 96. However, LaMottas opposition was gener-rally superior to that of Murphy. Murphy fights from the upright southpaw stance. He works best at close quarters with short, tight left uppercuts and hooks to the head.. It would seem he could keep "inside" LaMottas wide hooking attack. Each is rugged. Each has been stopped twice, but LaMotta never has been floored. Although only a year older, Jake is much more experienced than the ex-sailor, who spent five of his best years in the Navy. Jake is the better boxer. On what appears to be form, I must pick Murphy to lick LaMotta. The West .Coast Irishman is no "world beater." Hes just a glorified club-fighter. But he should be Sharp enough to butcher the Bronx Bull. Bob had eight fights this year, whereas Jake had only the Robinson disaster. Bob •cored six knockouts but lost a decision to Harry Matthews and lost on a questionable foul to Joe Rindone. Murphy fights during every second, but LaMotta prefers to toss leather in spurts. Bobs crowding tactics will not permit Jake to get his usual rests. LaMotta will receive 30 per cent of the net gate; Murphy, 22 V2 per cent. Jake wouldnt even consider a tilt with the dangerous Californian unless he got the larger share of loot. The fact that the LaMotta-Murphy fight is being staged in the Stadium reflects the revival of the light-heavy division. Its the first time light-heavies were slated for a main event in a Metropolitan ball park since July 18, 1929, when Tommy Loughran successfully defended his title against Jimmy Braddock in the Stadium. IRISH BOB MURPHY
