Howard 'Kayo' Smith ~ "Good Fighter - Bad Breaks"

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 27, 1976

~ Howard Smith Turns Down Offer To Be On 'Muhammad Ali - Antonio Inoki' Card ~

Harry Kabakoff, Manager for #4 WBC Heavyweight Howard Smith has turned down an
offer to be on the fight card in the 'War of the Worlds' Martial Arts bout between
Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki that is to be held in Tokyo, Japan on June 26, 1976.

Harry Kabakoff >

"Bob Arum offered us $20,000 to be on the Fight Card, and for Howard to fight a 'wrestler'
on the undercard."

"We're not into 'gimmicks'. This is an 'Oddball Bout' and serves no purpose, other than
ripping off the Public."

"This thing in Japan will be a 'sham', and can only hurt Boxing. I can't believe that
Muhammad Ali and his Manager - Herbert Muhammad are doing this. Yes, there is
a lot of money to be made, but that doesn't make it right. This thing will be a 'farce'.