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TITLE FIGHT CHANCE
Business Man Offers
Bennett U.S. Trip
£ BRISBANE, Thursday. — A Brisbane businessman today of
fered Elley Bennett a chance to fight for the world bantam-
weight boxing title. '
He lodged £2000 with the "Courier Mail" to cover the cost
or a round trip to the United States by Bennett, his trainer-
manager Snowy Hill, and Bennett's wife and baby.
The donor, Mr. McGregor
Lowndes, of Fortitude Valley,
said there were no strings to
the offer.
The money was a straight-
out gift to give Bennet his
chance.
"I . admire Bennett im
mensely, and I think he is the
hardest punching bantam of
all time. He needs only the
opportunity to win a world
title for Australia," said the
donor.
Mr. McGregor Lowndes
said lie considered there was
no prospect of world cham
pion Manuel Ortiz coming to
Australia while the Federal
currency restrictions were in
operation. If Bennett was to
have his chance, he would
have to go to America.
He thought Bennett could
beat 32-year-old Ortiz. He
Wanted to give him every op
portunity to fight for the title
fit and well; that was why he
had offered enough to meet the
expenses of his family on the
trip;.
A Family Man
. Bennett was a great little
family man, and would be hap
pier if his wife and baby were
with him.
Trainer "Snowy" Hill was
overwhelmed at the offer, and
said It was the most generous
gesture ever made in Austra
lian sport.
"We want that fight with
Ortiz, and this has given us
the chance of a lifetime."
Bennett said simply: "I
never thought this would hap
pen to me."
Cable to America
i Immediately Mr.' McGregor
Lowndes had lodged his £2000,
the "Courier Mall" sent the
following cable to Nat Fleis
cher, editor of "Ring" maga
zine, and one of the most In
fluential men In American box
ing:
_ "Elley Bennett, sensational
aboriginal Australian bantam
champion, conquerer of
Schoonmaker by a knock-out
in six rounds, and manager-
trainer and Bennett's wife and
baby prepared to go to America
immediately under your guid
ance for world title fight with
Ortiz. What do you think of
proposal ? All expenses found
this end."
A reply should- be received
before. the week end.
$