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• ■ • - International Board to Rule Boxing Return Bout Pacts Placed Under Ban Christenberry, Barton, Two Europeans on Committee; Adopt Ten-Point Program By ROBERT AHIER United Press Sports Writer PARIS, France, May 2. — Return bout contracts were banned as a four-man international "cleanup committee" was given complete control of all world boxing championships today. The action — called "momentous" by one happy delegate — came as the European Boxing Unions annual congress agreed to join hands with the United States National Boxing Association for complete control of the sporf. A four-man committee was appointed to "clean up the sport" and standardize rules and titles throughout the world. It consists of Robert Christenberry, chairman of the New York Boxing Commission; George Barton, president of the National Boxing Association; J. Onslow Fane, chairman of the British Boxing Board of Control, and Edouard Rabnet of France, secretary of the European union. This group was given complete control over championships. It agreed to start out recognizing all existing champions. From now on, it must sanction all championship bouts. This automatically wipes out the return bout stipulation in championship contracts since such a return bout wouldnt be for the title if the committee didnt say so. Thirsty Delegates Attend The decision, made by 30 delegates from 12 nations attending the sixth congress of the EBU, means matchmakers throughout the world will have to submit for committee approval all plans for world title bouts. National federations would have to submit their candidates for any world title and the committee would then be responsible for the final choice. In another far-reaching decision, the congress also decided to forbid contract k terms providing for a return match within La limited date. The new committee was kiven sole authority to decide which bouts l|n be for world titles. BBphristenberry, who came to Paris with Bfull backing of the two American organi-jKations, was jubilant about the decision. Ris strong advocacy of the idea was called instrumental in achieving agreement after a two-hour discussion. The agreement made the following points : 1. — The title of world champion can be awarded only by the committee. 2. — The present holders of world titles will be approved. 3. — The titleholder must meet the challenger designated by the committee within six months after the last title bout. 4. — The organization of a world title bout may be entrusted to a promoter who will guarantee finances and sportsmanship. 5. — The decision concerning the match will be made by a jury in accordance with rules prevailing in the country where the match is staged. 6. — When a champion is called up for military service, his title will hold and the ■International committee will reserve the Bight to open a competition to designate Kn "acting champion." 7. — Under no circumstances may a con-Htract binding a champion and challenger W carry a return match clause. m 8. — When a world champion must de- fend his title but cannot agree on a purse, he must take the highest purse offered. 9. — A world bout must be 15 three-minutes rounds. 10. — The committee will decide by majority, all other questions which pertain to » the best interest of boxing. Decisions shall t be without appeal.
