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Rockys Pilot Eyes San Francisco Weill Considering Charles Bout Offer Champion Offered 20,000 Guarantee by Jimmy Murray For September Title Defense By JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 25.— Manager Al Weill said today he was "leaning" toward a September title defense for Rocky Marciano in San Francisco. Stocky, bespectacled Weill made that . statement immediately after receiving a telephoned assurance from promoter Jimmy Murray of San Francisco that a 20,000 guarantee for Rocky would be placed in a bank before his proposed fight with ex-champion Ezzard Charles. It was the first time Weill had expressed any preference since Rockys first-round knockout of Jersey Joe Walcott at Chicago May 15. The champions purse there was only 63,000 — including television. "Right after the Chicago fight, Murray offered us a 20,000 guarantee to meet Charles," Weill explained. "I said I would consider it. And today when he said he *• would put the money in escrow before the fight, he really pulled me. Dont forget, I wanted the Walcott return to be staged in San Francisco." Al emphasized that 20,000 is 40 per cent of a net gate of 00,000. Such a net would require a ,000,000 gross gate, he said. Would Be Gamble "It would be hard to turn down a guarantee like that," he continued. "We might make a lot more money from a defense in New York, and we might make a lot less. Wed be gambling. We wouldnt have any guarantee." Did his leaning toward San Francisco mean that he also preferred Charles to Roland Lastarza as challenger? "No, neither Rocky nor me care whether we fight Charles or Lastarza," he replied. "Well take the one that can draw the most money." Would Jim Norris of the International Boxing Club be a co-promoter with Murray in case Marciano and Charles fought at San Francisco? "He sure would," Weill said. Rocky will be at the ringside tomorrow night at Milwaukee where Charles fights Larry Watson of Omaha. Does that mean Rocky and manager figure for sure Charles will be the September opponent? "Not at all," he answered. "Rocky just wants to see what Charles has got. He knows hell have to fight him some day." Weill then stressed that it may be weeks before any definite decision is made on the September bout. He explained that Norris and his International Boxing Club might prefer to have Rocky defend in New York, because of the annual 0,000 guarantee for exclusive use of both Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. Lastarza, the home boy, would be the New York challenger. Meanwhile, Rocky may make an exhibi-■* tion tour of the South Pacific from early June to mid-July.
