Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-20
GiardeIIo 10 Protest
Change in Card Giving
Bout 10 Billy Graham

0y VUe Ats0StOIe0 SEebS
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.-Chair-
man Bob Christenberry Of the New
York State Athletic Commission
is in the middle Of an old-fash-
Toned rhubarb because he reversed
an of1icial's score card to give Billy
Graham a split decision over Joe
Giardello in the usual Friday night
confusion at Madison Square Gar
den.
A possible court test is in pros
pect to determine the legality Of
Christenberry's decision.
The television customers must
be shocked. They heard Giardello
proclaimed the winner. Then q
few minutes later Johnny Addie.
the ring announcer. made joey IAN
unofficial winner. subject to a re-
view of the cards."
Long after the disgruntled crowd
Of 1928 had left the Garden.
Christenberry came up with his re-
versal that made the winner. Gra-
ham, a New Yorker, weighed 148
to 1914 for the Philadelphia
counter-puncher.
Angeles Card Challenged.
Judge Joe Agnello's card. origi-
nally giving Giardello six rounds
to four for Graham. was the one
that upset Christenberry. Angelic
had scored the 10th round for
Giardello while both the other Of
f1cials gave 1t to Graham.
Christenberry, in a move be-
l1eved to be unprecedented,
changed the 10th round. Instead
OF a one-point round for Giardello,
he made 1t a two-point round
for Graham on the Agnello card.
He also changed the fourth round
from one-pointer for Graham
to two-pointer for Graham.
AS a result Agnello's Anal and
Official card came out an even
SIS in rounds with Graham the
winner. 7-6. on points. That was
the decisive ballot as the other
officials split. Judge Charley
Shortell found for Graham, 7-3,
and Referee Ray Miller voted for
Giardello. 5-4-1. The Associated
Press card had Graham on top.
Ga. A poll Of writers at ringside
showed six for Graham, one for
Giardello and two voting q draw.
Gamblers Confused.
The switch brought wild con.
fusion to the gamblers. Graham.
a 2-to-1 favorite. becomes the
official" winner. Still the original
announcement of the officials
vote gave it to Giardello.
AS might be expected there was
a violent reaction to last nights
reversal in the Giardello camp.
Tony Ferrante.p Giardello's man.
ager, said he would take the case
to his lawyer to test the legality
OF the commissions action.
In the meantime, the Interna-
tional Boxing Club announced a
January 8 Garden bout between
Giardello and Rocky Castellani.
1T was my honest opinion that
the man (Graham) was entitled
to it," Christenberry said, as he
made the reversal in the officials
dressing room. I'D quit rather
than condone anything else"
Crowd Boos Original Decision.
The small crowd made as much
noise as a full house in venting
its disapproval of the original
verdict while a heartbroken Ora
ham stood with head down in his
corner. The fans crowded around
the ringside, hurting insults at
the officials.
Graham, loser of a disputed
split decision to Kid Gavilan in
an August 20, 1851 title bout, was
called the "uncrowned champ"
for more than year until he
was soundly beaten by Gavilan
IN Havana last October. He had
made loud protests about a split
decision loss to Giardello last
August 4 at Brooklyn's Eastern
Parkway.
There was wide difference Of
opinion among the boxing writer's
as to the wisdom of Christen-
berry's action.
Fight Close.
In the past there have been
reversals but, as far as could be
learned. they all were on the basis
Of faulty totaling Of cards or
errors by the officials in marking
down their votes.
Christenberry said his action
meant mo reflection on the
honesty and integrity of Mr..
Agnello." He said he understood
former commissioners. Jim Farley
and John j. Phelan. had reversed
decisions.
It was a close fight that could
have gone either way. Under
New York scoring rules. if a fight
is even in rounds. the point sys-
tenn is used to determine the win.
ner. ...-