European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 6, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse                              Page 18 the stars and stripes a in Itkis March 6, 1968, Benvenuti victors in twin Bill m _11-1-l��-.,-�_____mathis Falls in Lith Emile loses decision new York a Tigeris Joe Frazier connected with Short thunderous left Hook in the closing minute of the Lith round to Stop King sized Buster Mathis and win a four state piece of the world heavyweight title monday night at Madison Square Garden. The punch sent the bloodied giant from grand rapids mich.,on his Back Over the Bottom strand of the ropes. Mathis barely staggered to his feet at nine but referee Art Mer Cante immediately halted the fight at 2 33 of the Lith of the scheduled 15-rounder.Frazier s mighty blow brought a huge Roar from the near capacity crowd in the 20,000 seat Arena which had thrilled to the upset Victory of Italy s Nino Benvenuti Over defending Champion Emile Griffith for the Middle weight title earlier in the eve  a 2-1 underdog dropped Griffith in the ninth round but barely survived a staggering right to the jaw inthe 15th round himself in win Ning a close but unanimous de , a 2-1 favorite in the Battle of unbeaten heavies nonrecognition As world Champion in new York Massachusetts Maine and Illinois. Record crowd the doubleheader title card the first boxing show in the new Arena Drew a crowd of 18,096which contributed to a record indoor fight Gate of $658,503.the old record of $511,000 was set by the third Floyd Patter son Ingemar Johansson heavy weight title fight at Miami each s convention Hall on mar. 13, 1981. Prices Range from $10 to $100. Frazier and Griffith earned8175,000 each. Benvenuti collected $80,000 As Well As the title and Mathis $75,000. The bouts were telecast by closed circuit to More than 70 locations in the United states an Canada and to Italy Mexico and puerto Rico. Mathis a 243i/2 Pounder who moves As nimbly As a flyweight gave his smaller 204 /2 Pound rival from Philadelphia a stiff Battle for the first six  Frazier putting on the pressure with thudding body punches that seemed to dig deep into Buster s belly wore the Mammoth fighter Down and then set him up for the stagger ing blow that ended the fight. There was t a Knockdown until the dramatic moment when Frazier draped big Buster Over the ropes. The Stocky muscular 24-year-old Frazier kept pounding Mathis body like a Wood chop per trying to Cut Down a mighty  was a fairly even fight for the first six rounds although Mathis bled from the nose from the third round on and his White trunks were covered with blood. Although Mathis was Able Toland his fast jabs and combinations he could t Stop Frazier from coming in. From the seventh on it Walsall Frazier As Mathis wearied continued on Page 22 the end huge Buster Mathis land with his head Between ropes and his Back on the Canvas As monday night s heavy weight Battle ends in the Lith round. Joe Frazier s Victory gave him four Stales recognition As Champ. A photo fourth fight Likely for Nino and Grid Nino scores italian Nino Benvenuti follow through on a left to Emile Griffith s Chin during their middleweight title bout. Such tactics helped Nino regain the Crown. A new York a Joe Frazier said he hoped the left Hook which sent huge Buster Mathis through the ropes in the Lith round of their heavyweight title fight ended the myth that Mathis owned  24-year-old Frazier said he set up the 2431/fc-Pound Mathis with a right to the face and then finished the grand rapids,mich., fit liter with a left Hook. Azier says he Hiss busted Mathis myth the knockout at 2 33 of the let have the unbeaten philadelphian the new York Massachusetts Maine and Illinois ver Sion of the heavyweight  said he grew tired of hearing How Mathis beat him twice in the 1964 olympic trials. They ought to rerun the films of those and they d see who won he shouted in his packed dressing room at Madi son Square , this ought to prove who owns who he  to those who picked Mathis to win Frazier said people weren t fighting Mathis 1 was. I could t predict the round because then Mathis would have been  204 /2-Pound Frazier said he s ready to Settle undisputed Possession of the heavyweight title against the Vunner of the Jerry Quarry Jimmy Ellis work boxing association title fight april 27. I d rather fight Quarry because he has a big Mouth Fra Ier  said he Felt he had the fight in the 10th round when Mathis got on me and could t get his hands up like he waste continued on i Udo $9 new York a the con tract does t Call for it but a ourth Nino uen Vonruti Emi Egriffith middleweight title film nay be in the  can t say Bend omit said after taking a unanimous of round decision from Gnu few monday night. My plans Caufour a Brief vacation wan my wife i won t decide about a re match until  Clancy Griffith s co Man Ager said there was no to Sion in the contract calling for a rematch but added i think the fight tonight cans for  reporters Cool heels the italian Benvenut. Kept re porters waiting at ins