CLUB MEMBERS FILLING SWEEPSTAKE TICKETS AT DINNER; TICKETS DROPPED INTO BOX; FINAL ROUND OF LAST BOUY TO WINNER DECLARED (NATURAL SOUND).




Initials


SPORT: BOXING
EDITORS: THIS FILM IS FOR SCHEDULED NEWS BULLETINS ONLY. NOT MORE THAN 2 MINUTES MAY BY USED IN ANY ONE BULLETIN.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE BRITISH NATIONAL SPORTING CLUB LAST NIGHT (MONDAY) STAGED A SWEEPSTAKE ON THE RESULTS OF FOUR BOXING TOURNAMENTS FOR ITS MEMBERS -- THE FIRST TIME RINGSIDE SPECTATORS COULD LEGALLY GAMBLE IN BRITAIN.

ABOUT 500 CLUB MEMBERS AND GUESTS TOOK PART IN THE SWEEPSTAKE. EACH PERSON WAS ALLOWED FOUR TICKETS EACH COSTING TEN SHILLINGS STERLING. ALL THE STAKE MONEY, EXCEPT FOR PRINTING COSTS, MADE UP ONE PRIZE.

THE PUNTERS NOT ONLY HAD TO FORECAST THE WINNERS OF FOUR BOUTS; THEY HAD TO GIVE THE ACTUAL DECISION -- REFEREE STOPPED FIGHT, RETIRED OR COUNT-OUT -- AND IN THE CASE OF A POINTS VERDICT, THE ACTUAL POINTS MARGIN SEPARATING THE BOXERS.

THE CLUB'S SECRETARY, MR. DAI THOMAS, SAID THE ODDS AGAINST AN ALL-CORRECT ENTRY WERE 2-MILLION TO ONE. BUT HE ADMITTED THE BRITISH BOXING BOARD WAS RELUCTANT AT FIRST TO GRANT PERMISSION FOR THE SWEEPSTAKE.

THE BOARD'S PRESIDENT, MR. J. ONSLOW FANE, SAID THEY WERE GIVING THE SWEEPSTAKE A TRIAL AND ADDED THAT THE BOARD ALMOST CERTAINLY WOULD NOT ALLOW IT AT A PUBLIC SHOW.