Davis, Lalonde Meet in WBC Title Fight

Eddie Davis of Freeport, N.Y., and Donny Lalonde of Winnipeg, Canada, will meet tonight for the vacant World Boxing Council light heavyweight championship.

The scheduled 12-round bout will held outdoors at National Stadium.

Davis, the division’s No. 1 contender, is getting a second chance to be champion. He lost to Michael Spinks in 1984 and according to long-time manager Dennis Rappaport, Davis will be successful this time.

“I’ll knock him out,” Davis said. “If not, I’ll beat him by decision.”

Davis, 36, has a 38-5 record, 23 by knockout. Lalonde, No. 2 in the division, has a 29-2 record with 24 knockouts.

The 27-year-old Canadian says he has the edge because of the nearly 10-year difference in age.

WBC vice president Roy Van Putten of nearby Aruba arrived in Trinidad to settle a dispute over the size of the ring. Rappaport wanted the ring to be 80 feet square and Lalonde’s handlers wanted a smaller ring.

Both fighters did agree to use eight-ounce gloves and both were expected to make the 195-pound division weight without difficulty. .

For the fight, Davis and Lalonde will each be paid $60,000.

The title was vacated by Thomas Hearns.