Evening star., 1961-01-14
Both Fighters
Are Confident of
Victory Toniqht

don's Terry Downes for one
version of the world middle
weight title.
The fight Is being carried
by the American Broadcast
ing Co. and will be seen In
Washington on Channel Z
at 10 pm.
DowneS, an eager young
Englishman with q swarming,
two-handed style, continued to
talk a big fight as he headed
into the most important match
of his four-year professional
career.
I'm confident I can beat
him." the 24-year-old former
United States Marine said. IF
I didn't think so I wouldn't be
here. I'm in great shape and
I think I'm too strong for him"
Pender, a crafty, clever
strategist whose title is recog-
nized in New York, Massachu-
sets and most Of Europe, is
quietly confident. almost casu-
ally so.
Odds Drop Quickly
"I'll win" the 30-year-old
veteran predicted Of his second
defense. II don't know wheth-
er it will be a knockout or q
decision, but I'll win"
The early line agreed: 1875
on the two-time conqueror Of
Sugar Ray Robinson over the
on-rushing challenger. Then
the cocky, likable Londoner be-
gan his workouts.
The odds quickly went down.
and fluctuated between 9-5.
S-5. then dipped to rs with
the arrival Of some fans from
Great Britain. The wise money
along dingy Friend street pre-
dicted it would close still more
by fight time.
Each fighter is in superb
condition. Downes, since his
arrival, has been as impressive
as any import in recent years.
Pender has put in 100 rounds
Of boxing. honed his swapping
left to peak performance and
say he's in the best shape Of
his career.
Cautious With Right
Their styles are completely
different. Terry Is Q walk-in,
pressing fighter who likes to
wear down his opponent. His
record is 1855, including 21
knockouts. Pender generally
is recognized as one of the
master boxers of the profession.
His stabbing left is his best
weapon. ...
Pender once had q solid
right. but has been cautious
since twice shattering 1t in the
ring.
you can't fight a guy like
Downes with just o left jab,"
Pender conceded. II admit I
had a mental block against
the right because of those two
broken hands. But we've been
working on it, bringing it along
and I feel better about it now"
He hasn't lost in five years,
and owns a 1852 record.
Downes has had his health
problem. too-a tendency to
cut around the eyes. He said
a series of operations has cured
that and he hasn't been cut in
10 fights. the last q decision
over joey Giardello.
Going for Big Punch
Downes. who admits Pender
is an excellent defensive boxer,
said he will be going for the
big punch.
I'll throw so many punches
he can't stop them ALL" Downes
said. Some will get through
and I'll wear him down. About
the 10th round should do it."
Pender announced no such
battle plan.
II have to wait and see how
Downes is going to fight" he
said.
Pender stands to make about
$57, 900, Downes $18.750. The
champion will collect 80 per
cent Of the SOS, 900 televiSion
money and 40 per cent Of the
gate. Downes gets Is per cent
of the TV and 20 per cent Of
the gate.
Should Downes win, his purse
will be held in escrow until he
fulfills a contract clause that
calls for a rematch in Boston
within 80 days.
The bout will be scored under
the 40 point must" system, by
two judges and the referee, to
be announced at ringside. The
winner of each round gets 10
nointS The loser nine mr. leSS