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A roundup of the sports information of the week
BOXING—Utah's Gene Fullmer, abandoning his customary wade-right-in style, jiggled ponderously just beyond the range of Carmen Basilio's formidable left, countered almost as he very well pleased, to win NBA version of world middleweight title by 14th-round kayo (see page 32). Baffled by Fullmer's radical tactic, Basilio was solidly thumped so often his corner cried halt. Said Basilio disconsolately afterward: "Fullmer is the strongest guy I ever fought. No sense of cryin'. He kicked the hell out of me."
The New York State Athletic Commission sent word to Heavyweight Champion Ingemar Johansson that, for his work on the night of June 26 against then-champion Floyd Patterson, it was holding checks totaling $122,766.17. The kitty, said the commission, was made up of $52,532.17 from gate receipts less taxes, plus $70,234 accrued in rights from television and radio. Next day, Johansson, who had said he would not sign for a return bout until he had a full accounting of the first fight's earnings, put his pen to a contract to meet Patterson in the United States between March 1 and June 15 of next year, probably in Los Angeles.
HARNESS RACING—Flying for all he was worth (about $250,000 so far), Bye Bye Byrd, a 4-year-old pacer, beat around track in blur of spinning spokes at urging of Driver Clint Hodgins to set world record 1:57 4/5 for mile on a half-mile track at Roosevelt Raceway. Earlier in week at Roosevelt, Adios Claire sashayed smartly down the stretch, covered the mile in 1:59 4/5 for a world record among 4-year-old pacing mares. George Phalen was the driver.
TENNIS—U.S. Davis Cup team, stung by Alex Olmedo's first-round loss to Australia's awkward, left-handed Neale Fraser, never could make up the deficit despite two singles victories (Olmedo and Barry MacKay both stopped Rod Laver), was dumped in straight sets in doubles, saw the trophy slip back down under when MacKay double-faulted 14 times during final critical match (played on two consecutive days) to lose the match and the cup to Fraser. Said U.S. Captain Perry Jones: "My prediction of a 5-0 sweep was not exactly right."
GOLF—Stymied nine times running in her quest for U.S. amateur title, Barbara McIntire blended luck (a four-leaf clover from 1958 Champion Anne Quast) and skill 10th time around to beat Joanne Goodwin by 4 and 3 in Washington, D.C. (see page 34).
PHOTO
BYE BYE BYRD WINS IN FULL FLIGHT
