Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-06-07
The Rise And Fall Of Concrete

for the dishes.
Two days later. Wright matched
his battler with Dusky Rhodes, an
other colored pugilist. who was COM
ing fast. He had won every one OF
his last eighteen fights When Wright
told Concrete of the match, all Con-
crete said was, II guess I'll knock
him out easy"
Eyes, you will-not," shot back his
manager quickly. "This boys good
and I advise you to start training"
You can advise, but that's all. for
1 amt gonna train till 1 get ready,
see?
Wright smiled. 81 expected that.
After this fights over you get new
manager. Now see to that"
"All right. all right. I don't need
no manager no how. I can manage
my own affairs. I can"
well, We'll see!'
There was tense silence as Con-
crete Brown stepped through the
ropes of the Twilight Boxing Club.
Then there was an uproar. The peo-
pie cheered and shouted. Their idol
was again going to give them the
action they had looked forward to
so many days,
Concrete was full of smiles as he
stood in his corner. He was happy.
He was thinking. With this money
get for this fight and what other
money I have that I've betted on
that I'd win this battle, I'll be able to
marry Jennie" His eyes rolled.
Wright was tapping Concrete's left
hand and had started to reach for his
right hand when Concrete let out a
hoarSe groan. Quickly Wright looked
at Concrete. The man had turned
almost pink. His eyes were ON the
person who had entered the ring in
| the opposite corner.
whats wrong?" asked Wright
anXiously.
who's that man?'
"Dusky Rhodes. The man you're to
! fight"
oh" exclaimed Concrete. That's
Ignatz Robbins!'
"You must be mistaken. That's
Rhodes. Wait, I'll ask him."
In few moments Wright returned.
You're right. that is he. He used to
call himself Robbins. but recently
he changed his name to Rhodes.
Why"
Just then Dusky Rhodes walked up
to the shaking Concrete and said: Il
see you all recognize me, doncha?"
Concrete did not answer.
"Well," continued Concrete's oppo-
nent, when this fights over, you're
fa ha CCnorota RrOur bllt with
out the title"
whats all this?' asked Wright,
who was astonished at this converse
ton between the pugiliSts.
only this" said the grinning
Rhodes. about four years ago, Mister
Concrete and myself met in Savan-
nah, and I knocked him out with
three punches. This time I'll do 1t
in two, or maybe one punch, hun,
Concrete?"
Concrete appeared as if he wished
he was anywhere but there a that
particular moment.
The referee interfered before Con-
crete had a chance to answer.
After the referee gave his orders,
the ring was cleared and the men
went to their corners. Concrete's
features changed No longer was ne
confident or happy. The thought OF
that knockout by the man he was TO
fight now had scared him horribly;
On the other hand, Rhodes was still
grinning.
The gong!
smashed him on his chin! Down
went Concrete He managed to arise
at eight. Rhodes was at him like a
tiger and again punched Concrete on
the Jaw. The referee counted the
required ten. What Rhodes had said
had come true-only two punches
were necessary.
The crowd was astonished, and af-
ter recovering from its surprise,
cheered the new champion and al
most as quickly forgot the man VINO
had given Their more than thelr
moneys worth dozens of times.
When Concrete came to, he saw
Jennie White in Dusky's corner: he
walked over and said angrlly, "Wnat
you doing here. Jennie?"
GO away, man." she said. "Dusky
is my old sweetheart. I married MN
today" W.. -.
Concrete was heartbroken. His air
castles had fallen, and all that re-
manned were bitter memories; IN
the dressing room, Wright watched
a.; Concrete. who acted like man
in a trance. slowly dressed. The eX-
champions eyes were filed with tears
and his mouth tWitched, Finally ne