Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-12

thought then that Gene would be-
come champion of the world.
II wasn't thinking that | would be,
either. but had my heart set on try
ing to get there"
Home again, and there came the
brightest pege in Bob's life. Ray
Bronson. wise little fight manager,
was waiting for him at the dock. "A
friendship and a working agreement
between the two that carried Martin
10 some fame and TO what now seems
more important, a fortune-resulted.
The fortune has been blown
away. Bob blames no ore but him
self-and, perhaps the absence Of a
friend to advise him. The money
came, too easy for a boy who had
been working at day wages in a
rubber factory when war was de-
clared. Two thousand dollars were
dumped into his big hands at a time.
Then S2.500. Then $4,000. Two or
three "big shots" uettei him close
to five figures. Came n desire for
things that attract boys-biz auto
mobiles. with speed. and the adora-
tion OF friends.
But there were no women in this
case. Love had come 20 Bob early,
There are five youngsters now,
who gaze with pride on their biz
daddy. The youngest was only
eight weeks old when ] saw him.
The injury to Martin did not as
sert itself until a few short months
ago.
He looks back on two incidents
as being the possible cause Of the
trouble. There was his fight with
the giant, numbering frank Moran IN
1921. Martin lacked skill. He was
game Moran found Bob's head
wide open for his famous "Mary
Ann" blow. Some IS or 10 times
Moran drove il home. Most of the
time Martin ducked enough to avoid
being hit flush on the chin, but
what may have been worse. the
blows landed on the base of his
skull, behind his EAR. 1t is there
that specialists say the clot formed.
Then there was the auto accident
that followed a few months later.
I'VE were out riding in ? new car.
says Bob. Then somebody suggest
GA ANAAAAik MEA OAN- 4 0AQs AT 20
miles an hour ] hit a curve. They
found me pinned down under the
steering wheel. / was bruised and
battered all over. my head included.
II might have been then that I got
the bad bump"
Il earned just s265,OO in the ring
my end Of the purses" concludes
Bob. "A lot Of IL came after the
Moran fight. Then. when I found
wasn't ever going TO get to the tor
in the ring. / tried other things.
Joined the state police in West Vir-
ginia for q time. Their back into
the army. That was in 1925.
Il fought in exhibitions and one
or two bouts in the service. II
wasn't until a few months ago that
all this came on"
Martin was discharged in May.
What does the future held fol-
him.
Well. he's getting so per cent full
disability pension for disablement
mot in the line Of duty" That
doesn't 20 very far in q family Of
seven.
Some time this summer Bob may
Join a vaudeville troupe. He's still
Bob Martin. heavyweight champion
Of the allied armies Of the World
war-you know. Still a great big
handsome chap, with his winning
smile. He can walk 70 the center
of the stage, lean n~onchalantly
against a helpful pedestal or chair
back. and talk Of the old days. Lots
Of folk will be glad TO see him-he
believes.
That's about what the future holds
for him unless science. or some kind
act of Providence. lifts the cloud
that sends him about the streets
these days a partial derelict.