Evening star., 1931-11-04

attributed to the depres-
sion, the current indoor
season gives promise Of being a
record breaker as concerns the
passing OF istic titles
Though the season Is just get
ting under way, two champion
ships already have changed hands
and there is an even chance that
q third will find its way into the
grip OF new owner tonight. when
Bat Battalino meets Earl Mastro
In Chicago with the featherweight
laurels at stake.
The new champions already crowned
are Lou Brouillard, who now calls Bos-
ton his home, and Young Perez OF
France. Brouillard took the welter-
weight bauble from black Jack Thomp-
son In d Boston ring Perez surprised
every one BY fiattening Frankie Genaro
In Jig time In Paris.
Genaro held the National Boxing AS
eociation fiyweight title As the N. B.
A. controls 80 States in this country
and its rulings are recognized in most
foreign countries. Genaro had a more
logical claim to the crcwn than Midget
WolRast, recognized in New York and
two or three other States.
Has Turned Back Three.
Battalino's appearance against Mas
tro will be the Hartford boys fourth
defense Of the 126-pound champion
ship against worthwhile opposition.
He has turned back Kid Chocolate,
Fidei Labarba and Freddy Miller,
rugged Cincinnati battler.
In Bats case the old adage that
champion enters the ring favorite has
not held good Chocolate was favored
to beat him So was Labarba. On the
records the Keed and Ffdel were logical
choices
Nastro, fighting in his own territory.
A likely 10 90 to the post the betting
choice, though advices from Chicago
are that wagering is unusually light on
this tight The lads who chunk 1t iR
don't know just what to make OF TINS
fight.
Battalino shapes up as a fine money
fighter" meaning that he nights over
his head when It is important to de-
liver. In non-titular brawls he has
been bounced around quite bit. But
so far he has not failed with the cham
pionship at stake.
Can Take Punishment.
The Hartford boy is not exactly the
sort one would expect to find at the
head OF the parade. He is not much
of boxer. Nor is he a terrific
puncher. His greatest asset is his abil
ity TO take 1t till the cows come home.
A few visits to the canvas do not
discourage Bat. He has the heart OF
q champion. So far that has been
enough.
One Of the unfavorable aspects OF
che changing of a title these days Is
that the manager of the defeated
champion often shows up as one of
the stockholders in the new standard
bearer.
Pete REILLY had piece of Andre
Routis, the Frenchman, who was de-
throned by Battalino. From Chicago
comes the report that one Of the con-
ciitions agreed TO before Mastro was
given the shot at Battalino was that
in the event OF a victory for the Chi
cagoan REILLY would be entitled to 17is
per cent of his earnings. The cham
pion may pass, but the manager goes on.
Both Are Heavily Backed.
~ the Associated Press
CHICAGO. November 4ABat Batta-
limo, the busy boy from Hartford, Conn,
risks his priced worlds featherweight
crown against the flying fists of the
dangerous Earl Mastro in the punch
bowl of the Chicago Stadium tonight.
AS the hour approached for their
1o-round battle, which promised TO be
a stirring struggle between force and
science. the betting pendulum swung so
duriouSly that it was impossible to dis
tinguish the favorite.
Backed by his Chicago friends, who
have watched his rise to power IN the
featherweight world, Mastro held the
champion at least even in the heavy
wagering.
The battle stretched the imaginations
Af the Windy City'S fight rialto and
close to 1900 were expected to watch
the first Chicago fighter in 81 years
take a shot at the crown Battalino has
successfully protected since he cap
tured 1t from Andre Routis Of France
an 1929.
From the standpoint Of sheer punch
sng ability the champion was given q
wide edge over the challenger. But
MaStro's hopes rested in his ability tc
outpoint Battalino.