[Cap]

World Rankings supplied by the IBU prior to the Langford-Smith championship contest...Gunboat Smith's manager Jimmy Buckley demands an American referee and refuses to allow his fighter to enter the ring without one...The Ontario Sports Commission which sponsors the event informs Buckley and Smith they would be in breach of contract and subject to arrest and fines should they refuse to accept the OSC's appointment, and the IBU's representative supports them and tells Buckley his fighter will be banned by the IBU and stripped of his NABF title unless they comply...Buckley backs down but protests to the assembled US press...As the two camps wound down it is reported that besides Buckley, Smith will have Frank Moran and Kid McCoy working his corner and Sam Langford's seconds will be Jimmy Walsh and George Dixon...In the various betting pools across Canada and the US, Langford remains the favourite but Smith money is coming in from the west coast...From England Tommy Burns sends a cable to his friend Sam with a message of support...Burns is still being celebrated in England for his defence of the Empire title over Scotland's Derek Beattie...