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Title Bout Depends Upon Weather Showers Predicted Again for Tonight Fight Will Be Re-Scheduled For Thursday If Postponed; Joeys Weight Big Problem By BARNEY NAGLER Staff Correspondent NEW YORK, N. Y., June 24.— If the scattered thundershowers forecast for late tomorrow skip the Yankee Stadium, up in the Bronx, Joey Maxim, the clever veteran from Cleveland, and Sugar Ray Robinson, the simply great boxer-puncher from Harlem, will fight for the world light-heavyweight championship tomorrow night. The 15 -rounder, postponed from Monday because of rain, is expected to draw in raw in excess of 35,000 persons wholl shell out upwards of 50,000. The weather outlook called for mostly fair and warmer all day, with the possibility of scattered showers, but nobody was giving another postponement a thought. However, should a postponement be nec-cessary, the bout will be re-scheduled for Thursday night. This exorcise of the gremlins who determine the meteorological conditions even went so far as to place most stress for tomorrows bout on the weight -making ordeal so fancifully imposed on Maxim by the ballyhoo artists. Maxim scaled 174 3/4 at the official weigh-in on Monday. Robinson, at 160, was safely within the 175-pound class limit. Since then there have been all kinds of fussing over mandatory second weigh-in at 12:30 tomorrow in the lobby of Madison Square Garden. Jack Kearns, the artful bullyhooist who manages Maxim, insisted today, by way of stirring the placid waters of publicity, that he was certain the New York Athletic Commission rules permitted a weigh-in the next day after a postponement, and not on the day of a fight. Quote From Rule Book The boards rule book does state, on page 35; "Boxers performing at outdoor shows are required to weigh-in on day they contract for their services. In the event of a postponement due to weather conditions, new weights and physical examinations will be required on the following day." The "following day" was Kearns gambit. He insisted he had legally entered the commissions offices early yesterday morning with Maxim and had weighed the light-heavyweight champion. "He weighed 174 1/2," Kearns said. Robert K. Christenberry, chairman of the board, helped ballyhoo concerning Maxims weight. He said he thought it might be possible to retain the title-status of the bout if Maxim came in over 175 pounds, providing Robinson concurred. When it was pointed out that this was contrary to the rules, he said it was his own opinion and not that of the commission. However, all this was knocked down when it was learned that Maxim weighed 174 1/4 after a five round drill at Still-mans gym. Robinson also limbered up, at the uptown gymnasium on 116th street. His appearance there drew a grreat throng in and outside the sweatorium. Kearns persiflage had little affect on the odds. Robinson remained the favorite 6y2-7and to 5, with the price still 3 1/2 to 1 against a knockout either way. The postponement from Monday did not hurt the ticket sale. Harry Markson, the International Boxing Clubs hardest worker, said that sales ran ,000 ahead of refunds. He predicted a gate of between 50,000 and 50,000, with an attendance of 40,000. Robinsons bid for his third world title — he held the welterweight crown and holds the middleweight championship — has lost none of its piquancy because of the delay. Robinson is still confronted with the problem of making the fight. Maxim is a lack-lustre competitor who must be forced into action. Robinson will win — possibly by a knockout — simply because he is faster. Maxims weight edge — hell probably hit 174 3/4 against Robinsons 159 — will not matter. He is not the kind to throw his weight around in the ring. Left alone, he loves it.
