Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-09
Plans for Title Fight Upset
ByPatterson's BrokenHand
FIoyd's Victory
Over Jackson Has
Costly Aftermath
BY MURRAY ROSE
Associated Press Sports writer

NEW YORK, June 9 (D.-A
million-dollar heavyweight title
production in September between
fiashy Floyd Patterson and Light
Heavyweight Champion Archie
Moore hinged today on a broken
bone in Patterson's right hand.
The fracture Of the fourth
metacarpal bone-the little bone
back of the knuckle-may pre-
vent the 21-year-old Brooklyn
prodigy from swinging his preci-
Gus mitts for q period of six
weeks to three months. That
could doom an outdoor extrava-
ganza in Yankee Stadium. There
was hope, however, that the
healing time may be quicker.
The bad news on the break
struck like a delayed bomb. No
body knew it until more than a
half hour after the speedy pre-
cision puncher had whipped
Hurricane Tommy Jackson in a
thrilling, no clinch 12-rounder
last night and virtually sewed
up his lucrative shot with Moore.
Used Both Hands
The news was hard to believe
until you saw the splint on the
modest youngsters right hand.
For it was in the 18th round that
Floyd touched of a final stick of
dynamite in an effort to stop his
almost indestructible opponent.
And he used both hands in firing
"a rapid volley of punches that
had the Animal" from Far
Rockaway webbing and almost
ready to fall.
There was jubilation in Pat
terson's dressing room and talk
only of Moore in September
when Floyd finally permitted
commission physicians to ex-
anime his ''hurt right wrist" He
hadn't even mentioned that to
newsmen. He said later he hurt
it in the sixth round, but it
didn't bother him much.
DR.. Alexander Schiff discov-
cred the break. He said he moved
the bone back in position, then
placed the fourth finger in a
splint.
IT hope it will stay in place."
said DR.. Schiff. 1--WE will take
X-rays at the commission Offices
Monday. A broken bone usually
takes six to eight weeks to heal.
Whether it would be a punching
hand at that stage I don't know.
In my opinion, it might not be a
punching hand for three months.
Patterson could do all Of his
other training, however
D'AmatO Optimistic
Gus D'Amato, Patterson's man
|ager, was more optimistic.
1.-THE fight still could go on in
September" he said. IF it takes
two months to heal, it still would
leave Floyd plenty of time. He
could do all Of his training but
the punching. There would be
at least four to six weeks to box
and that's plenty"
Harry Markson, managing di-
rector Of the International Box
ing CLUB, didn't even know of the
injury until informed of it by
the Associated Press. Before
leaving Madison Square Garden.
MarkSon had relayed word from
IBC Chieftain Jim Morris that
the club hoped to stage a Moore
Patterson fight in Yankee Sta
dunn for the title, if the New
York Athletic Commission and
other boxing bodies would so
authorize it for the champion
ship.
"This may alter our plans"
said Markson. Everything will
depend on the X-rays. We hoped
to promote the fights in the week
of September 18th or September
"a so we have a good period Of
time on our SIDE"
Julius Helfand, after con-
graduating Patterson, said the
commission would give every
consideration to a request for
calling it a title fight"
18th Straight Win
Patterson proved himself a
worthy contender for titular hon.
ors in scoring his 18th straight
victory and 30th in 81 fights. He
was awarded only q split deci-
sion but in the opinion Of most
of the 11,255 who paid $66,038
for the nationally telecast fight
and in the eyes Of 20 Of 80 box
ing writers Floyd passed his big
test with flying colors. Most of
the ringside critics had Patter-
son far ahead.
Judges Harold Barnes ga
and Bert Grant (7-5) voted for
Patterson while Referee Harry
Kessler cast a minority vote for
the 24-year-old jackson. 6-5-1