view raw text
Moore Defends Title Against Maxim Archie Is Choice To Retain Crown 15-Round Light-Heavyweight Encounter Being Televised; Pick Ray Miller as Referee By CLIFF MILLER United Press Sports Writer OGDEN, Utah, June 23 UP . — Archie Moore, smiling and confident, said he thought the odds favoring him to retain his light-heavyweight championship against Joey Maxim here tomorrow night "were about right." Moore and Maxim will square off at 7:00 p. m., before an expected 15,000 fans outdoors at the Ogden Rodeo Grounds over 15 rounds. It willvbe Utahs first championship fight. Ray Miller, noted New York referee, was selected today to officiate the bout. A veteran of many title bouts, Miller flew in following his appointment. "I think I beat Joey pretty far at St. * Louis last winter," Moore said thoughtfully. "Hes a good boxer, but he doesnt hit very hard." Maxim, former -light-heavy champ, and his/manager, Jack Kearns, were just as confident. "They say my boy isnt a puncher," Kearns shouted. "Wait until the fight. Well answer all the critics in the: ring. Weve got us a secret weapon and Joeyll win by a knockout." Intermountain Area Blacked Out The weatherman promised clear skies with temperatures in the mid-80s for the title scrap. The fight will be televisd nationally at 10:00 p. m. EDT., over CBS, although the Intermountain area will be blacked out. Promoters Al Warden and Ken Mayne said that adding Utah heavyweight Rex Layne to the semi-windup spot on the card, after the title scrap, had boosted ticket sales the past two days. "Hes a great drawing card around here," Warden said, "despite past performances." Layne was scheduled to go 10 rounds with Billy McClure, Los Angeles heavy, and has challenged the winner of the main match to meet him in Ogden, "in a few weeks." Both Kearns and Moores manager, Charley Johnson, have expressed interest in the proposition. Warden said he expected Laynes appearance would help shove attendance over 15,000 and the gate over 00,000. Both Moore and Maxim have been guaranteed either 5,000 each or 30 per cent of the gate, plus 15 per cent from the 0,000 television kitty. Ogden, a city of 55,000 population, has gone all out to promote the title fight. The chamber of commerce and civic groups have been drum beating for weeks. Its impossible to get a hotel room and finding an empty booth in a cafe is a major event. It is possible "the winner will get a shot at Rocky Marciano, heavyweight champion, next summer in Ogden. The International Boxing Club suggested this last week and naturally it caught on with both Moore and Maxim. Moore, at 35, realizes his boxing days are numbered and admits "Ive got to win them right away." Maxim, 31, has told close friends he may retire if he loses and a former; light-heavyweight champion has never been able to regain his crown.
