Ali-Norton Here?

Athletic Director Robert Watson is currently exploring the possibility of a Muhammad Ali-Ken Norton fight in Harvard Stadium.

The fight is the brainchild of promoter Helyn C. Hall, a Roxbury schoolteacher who promoted the closed-circuit telecast of the Ali-Chuck Wepner fight in Boston last March. Hall said yesterday she has until April 5 to raise the financial guarantee for the fight.

Watson said yesterday he is "looking into it for Mass Hall to see if it could be done in Harvard Stadium." He mentioned problems of lighting, construction of a ring, and the possibility of injuries to the playing field.

Watson said he had "serious doubts" about whether the stadium can be utilized for the match, and mentioned the fact that Harvard Stadium is the home field of the Boston Minutemen soccer team.

Watson also said construction work may be going on in the stadium this summer. He mentioned "other problems" the fight could present, but declined to elaborate.

Hall reportedly is considering BU's Nickerson Field and Shaefer Stadium in Foxboro as alternatives.