New Britain herald., 1930-01-09

supporting bouts carry strong l>ayo prise the program with two eights, two lives and a four offering suitable background tor the star bout.
 Few bouts in recent years in this state have caused as much conjec- turc as the fray between Battalno and Verde The champion, who will be making his first start in the ring as titleholder of his division, will be faced by a tough and rugged rival in Verde, who recently climbed high into the New England spotlight with 8 sensational victory over Andy Mar tin. New England fcatherweight champion. Since Battalno has been accused of lodging Martin. both be- fore and after he captured the worlds title from Andre Routis. ring fans of this section anticipate a thrilling encounter with the cham pion gunning from the start for d knockout
 Whether or not Battalino is able Ito land his famous right hand knockout punch will probably have considerable to do with the ultimate outcome for ring fans who have watched Verde in training here are of the opinion that the Rochester man will be able to wear the cham pion down, provided he gets past the first few opening rounds and punch out victory on points. For while Verde can hardly be consid- cred a knockout menace to the champion. he is fast and clever and could easily pile r1p enough points 10 win the fight if Bat has lost any thing in the long months during which he was recupcrating from the operations in his two hands per formed by Dr. W. G. Fralick, noted New York mcndcr of fighters.
 For Battalino. the encounter will not only be the first test under fire of his reconstructed maules but it will help him convince any numb Der of ring fans, expert and otherwise, that he is a real champion. worthwhile successor to Kid Kap- Ian and other great featherweight rulers. There will be several prom ment promoters and matchmakers at the ringsidc for the battle, in cludlng Tom McArdle, matchmaker of Madison Square Garden; Johnny Attel. who holds a similar post at St. Nicholas Arena; Scotty Montieth Of the Detroit Olympia Auditorium: MaXie (Boo Boo) Hoff of Philadel- phia, and several other prominent officials of the tistic realm who will be on hand to get first hand view of the new champion in action.
 A convincing victory for Battalino will not only stamp him as real champion but it will assure him of plenty of work for all of the pro- motors who will watch him in ac- ton tonight want to use him at their own clubs. From the forego- ing, it is plainly evident that a de- feat would prove mighty costly to the champion.
 With all his training behind hm, Battalino has had no difficulty with his recinstructed maulies. The hands have given him better service in training than they ever did be- fore and that is one reason why the tltleholder, Fly Malley, his manager, and Lenny Murrello, his trainer, are all confident Bat will put Verde away within three rounds. They all want to make as t'ashy a showing as possible so. the East Side ball of fire can be depended to try for as quick a finish as possible.
 The undercard holds considerable promise of riotous action. There has been a change in the semi-fnal due to a training injury received by Emil Rossi, Benny Leonard's young protege who was to have fought