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Carter, Salas Set for Second Battle Lightweight Title At Stake Tonight Ch ampion 8 to 1 Favorite To Defeat Mexican Rival In Fifteen-Round TV Bout By HENRY REIGEIt United Press Sports Writer LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 13.— Odds that lightweight champion Jimmy Carter will hang on to his crown tomorrow night against Mexican challenger Lauro Salas hovered in the unofficial neighborhood of 8 to 1 today. "Ill be ready ior him. Hes a tough kid and hard to get a good shot at his chin, but Im in the best shape of my career," the, dusky titleholder grinned confidently on the eve of his battle against the newcomer to the 135-pound ranks. Carter said he "profited" by his recent non-title bout with the beetle-browed Mexican from Monterey over whom he won a close-shave decision last April 1. His ."profit" was the knowledge that the challenger, a converted featherweight who now holds No. 6 spot in the lightweight ranks, is a tough youngster who refuses to stop moving in. So Carter, knowing he had a fight ahead of him, knuckled down- to a stiff training program that ended late yesterday with roadwork and a gym limber up. Because Salas achieved that "moral" victory of going the 15-round route with the champion in their last meeting,, the fans were holding the odds even that "the chal-lenger would still be on his feet at the end of tomorrow nights 15-round title fight. Boxed Oyer 20 Training Rounds With a golden opportunity to haul home for Mexico the glory of a boxing title, Salas sought a heavy sparring partner, boxing over 100. training rounds, with most of the competition coming from ringwise Charley Salas, a full-fledged welterweight who is no relation to Lauro. "I had Carter last time," said Salas, referring to the 15th round knockdown that was officially credited to him during their rough bout. "I think Ill get him again, for good this time." Carter has a professional record of 56 wins, 12 losses and six draws, and he has improved greatly since wrestling the title from Ike Williams. Salas has a mediocre record of 41 victories, 20 losses and six draws, but the 24-year-old scrapper has distinguished himself as a bitter competitor. He came close to whipping Art "Golden Boy" Aragon in an overweight match before he got his first shot at Carter. j A house of 5,000 gross was anticipated by promoter Cal Eaton for his Olympic Auditorium for the "supper-time" bout, scheduled to begin at 7 p. m. PJD.T. because of television commitments back East. A beer company is footing the 7,500 TV bill for the 11th annual "fight for live show" sponsored by the Los Angeles j Sportsmens Club. Carter, a natural lightweight, should hit the noon weigh-in tomorrow with no trouble at about 134%. And lighter Salas should come on the scales at the California Athletic Commission offices at 131. ► ; : JIMMY CARTER— The lightweight kingpin defends his crown tonight in a fifteen-round match against Lauro Saias in the Olympic Auditorium .at Los Angeles, California.
