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: : — ► : Braddock Referee For Moore-Valdes Mondays Battle Non-Video; Archie Risking Only Prestige Vs. Cuban Heavy Contender By JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer LAS VEGAS, Nev., April 30.— Jim Brad-dock will referee Monday nights significant fight at Cashman Field between Archie Moore and Nino Valdes, outstanding candidates for a September shot at the heavyweight crown. Ex-heavyweight champion Braddock arrived last night in this fabulous, overcrowded gambling center to officiate at the 15 -round bout in which Moore, of Miami, will be risking his prestige but not his light heavyweight title against big Valdes of Cuba, top-ranking heavy confender. Its an over-the-weight match. Whether Braddock of North Bergen, N. J., must share the voting with two judges will be decided later. Managers of the two fighters want no judges, but the Nevada Athletic Commission does. Promoter Jack Kearns — former manager of Jack Dempsey and Mickey Walker — hopes that the excellent match will lure enough sportsmen away from the thriving casinos to provide a crowd of 14,000 and a gate of 50,000. It is the most important fight ever slated for the Las Vegas area. Starts Before Sunset To stimulate attendance, Kearns has scheduled the Moore-Valdes fight to strat at 6:30 P. M„ PDD-about an hour before sunset. That will not conflict with the heavy play that begins in the gambling salons about 8 P. M. The boxing show will start at 6 P. M. and at least one preliminary will be staged before the main event. Regardless of the size of the crowd. Kearns has been assured receipts of at least 00,000 by the Hotel Mens Association. The bout will not be televised in any fashion. Moore and Valdes fought once before. Archie won a 10-round decision over big Nino at St. Louis, .March 11, 1953. Moore is favored at iyz to 5 to win again Monday night, although the 38-year-old champion -will be spotting 30-year-old Valdes advantages in age, weight, height and reach. Moreover, certain California physicians reported Moores heart no longer in condition for fighting. But Las Vegas medicos said his ticker is okay. Archie, who hasnt fought since last August, was unimpressive in training at nearby Nellis Air Base. He appeared somewhat blubbery and sluggish at 195 pounds the heaviest of his career. Meanwhile, Valdes, with about 206 pounds on his six-foot-three frame, drew much favorable comment during his sparring sessions at the Silver Slipper Casino. Moore is favored because of greater experience, his combined skill and punch, and his excellent body attack. He won his last 19 bouts for a total of 118 victories in 142 fights. They included 82 knockouts Valdes, whose kayo over Jack Flood, Jan 25, was his only start this year, has 11 straight wins. He has won 25 of his 34 professional bouts, 16by kayoes. Moore was stopped four tunes; Valdes twice in fights, and once by Joe Louis in an exhibition.
