Atlanta Daily World

Paul Pender, Terry Downes Battle On TV

BOSTON (UPI) - A cocky Britisher whose accent is spiced by American slang meets an ex-fireman nationally televised in a middleweight title match at the Arena next Saturday night.

The Britisher is 24-year-old Terry Downes, who served a three-year hitch in the U. S. Marines after coming to Baltimore to live with his sister. He'll be making his American pro boxing debut though he fought in this country as an amateur.

The former firefighter is Paul Pender, 30-year-old holder of the middleweight title in Massachusetts, New York and Europe. Gene Fullmer is recognized as champion by the National Boxing Association in the other 48 states.

Pender also is of Irish extraction and also is an ex-Marine. Downes, who intersperses slang-ish man's" in with his British accent, has captured the fancy of Bostonians. The British middleweight champ, whose last victory was an easy decision over tough Joey Giardello arrived here a week ago and has impressed with his talk and his training performances.

"I'm not just another limey," he says. "I know I've got to win on a knockout to be considered even. I've heard of those Boston decisions here."

Pender, who decisioned Sugar Ray Robinson twice last year, probably will rate a slight favorite.

Promoter Sam Silverman isn't talking about the gate yet but it's obvious he isn't worried. He scheduled the 15-rounder on the same night as the famed Knights of Columbus track meet here, knowing the television guarantee would account for most of the take.