The Rival

Fight promoters were becoming increasingly suspicious of television. The voice of NBC, which for months had been whooping up its coming telecast of the Louis-Walcott fight, fell suddenly, mysteriously silent about it. The 20th Century Sporting Club, sponsor of the fight, was just as vague: nobody knew anything about a fight telecast. Said Promoter Mike Jacobs: "I haven't did anything about it yet."

Then, two days before the big bout, the secret leaked out: Jacobs, fearful that fans might stay away from Yankee Stadium if they knew the fight would be televised, had gagged the network and the sponsor. Too much ballyhoo in advance might spoil his chances of a hoped-for million-dollar gate. This week, satisfied with the look of his box office, Jacobs gave NBC a nod. Eastern set owners could relax, and bartenders prepared to handle the biggest crowds in history.*

*Less fortunate were the telefans who hoped to see the Zale-Graziano fight from living rooms or bars last fortnight. Du Mont had a contract to televise the fight, provided that the box office was healthy. At fight time there were still a few unsold seats in Ruppert Stadium, and the network was turned away (after spending about $5,000 for cable charges).

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