Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-25
Morris Weighs
Appeal Of Order
TO Dissolve IbC

10 UIyyOIW IDI
NEW YORK. June IS H.-
THE international Boxing Club.
which has dominated pro boxing
lsince l9l9, has been ordered dis
solved by q Federal Judge who
also has ordered Jim Norris and
Arthur Writ to sever their con-
Inection with Madison Square
Garden.
Although it had been antici-
pated that Norris and Writ
would appeal an adverse ruling.
mo decision had been made today
by their legal counsel.
II an appeal Is made Of the
decree BY Judge Sylvester J.
Ryan. 1t presumably would 60
Ito the United States Court Of
Appeals In New York and, per-
Ihaps, eventually TO the United
States Supreme Court.
The legal history of the case
dates back to 1864 when it was
ruled out by the District Court
lon the grounds Of lack Of juris-
Idiction. Following an appeal by
the Government, the Supreme
Court ruled that the antitrust
Cease against the IBC should 60
Ito trial. After the trial last year
Judge Ryan found the defend
lants guilty March 8 and set yes
terday for his final decree. effec-
tive July /.
viii Stay in Boxing
1--WE will have to 60 over II
with counsel to see what our next
step win be-" said Norris, presi-
dent Of the IBC and a director Of
1.-THE Garden and the Chicago sta
dunn. He indicated that. what
ever the advice might be, II In
tend to stay In boxing"
Norris and Wirtz will have five
years TO sell their interest IN the
Garden which amounts 70 about
80 per cent Of the total stock.
However. within 30 days after
July they must resign as on
GERS and directors forevermore.
The two promoters are forbidden
to vote for officers or determine
any business policy Of the Gar
den after July !.
| A trustee win vote the stock
during the five-year period dur
ing which sale may be arranged.
After that the trustee win be
empowered to sell the stock If
Norris and Wirtz haven't found
q buyer.
/ All exclusive contracts with
champions and challengers were
declared void by Judge Ryan, as
were all exclusive contracts with
Stadia, other than those owned
by Norris and Writ.
Title Bouts Limited
AS a result Of the findings that
the IBC of New York and Illi-
nois and Norris and Writ were
guilty OF monopolizing title
nights, Judge Ryan ordered that
the Garden should not promote
more than two title bouts in any
one year for the next five. Norris
and Wirtz also were limited to
two championship contests a
year for the same period.
Presumably. q complete d.
, vorcement of Norris and Wirtz
, and the Garden will be effected
|, by this ruling. It would then be
, possible for the Garden to run
its own fights and for Norris and
'WirtS to run in competition from
Chicago Stadium or other arenas
which they own or control.
Judge Ryan said the sweeping
decree was designed to reopen
professional title fights to "legit-
innate and healthy competition.
The IBC runs two weekly
television fight shows, Wednes-
days on ABC and Fridays on
jNBC. The contracts for these
two shows was renewed recently
for a two-year period in a multi
million dollar deal. There is q
! clause. however. that permits the
: sponsor or network 70 negotiate
! with other promoters who can
stage championship fights.
Judge Ryan said he would d.
|. rect compulsory leasing Of the
Garden and Chicago Stadium or
a reasonable rental basis" In
his decree. Judge Ryan said the
defendants through ownership
; and control Of the principal sta
dia for staging championship
bouts are in a position to exclude
other promoters from using these
stadia to promote q champion
ship fight"
The IBC has promoted most
3 OF the big championship matches
2 since 1t was organized in l949
shortly after Joe Louis retired
as HEAVYWEIGHT ehamY,io,, IIovv-
/ ever. Emil Lence. an independ-
3 ent promoter. recently signed
Floyd Patterson to defend his
. heavyweight crown against Tom
3 my tHurricane) Jackson, July %
9 at the Polo Grounds in New
. York.
Bube Marshall Puces