Evening star., 1933-01-01

Hi. Molly he cried as he came into the
parlor. "How's the girl? All ready to see the
Irish triumph again tOnight?"
You bet," she smiled UP at him We've
just been talking about it,
Johnny thought that Molly was just about
the best thing that had ever happened to
him Ever since they had been In grammer
school, Johnny had been ready to battle any
fellow who said she wasn't the best looking
girl who ever heard of shamrock Now she
was 16, and was really the beauty she had al
ways been in his eyes
You got the tickets, Map" he asked i've
got to run along and be there at 7:30." He
walked over to where Molly sat, and rufled her
red hair. "I'll look for you. Keep those eyes
open and can't miss you! So long"
A T THE Arena Johnny met Mike Reed. Mike
was trainer who usually worked with
professionals. but because he liked Johnny and
thought the boy showed promise, he had
seconded him in nearly all his fights In the
dressing room Johnny got into his green silk
trunks, and sat with his robe across his should
ers while Mike taped his hands.
few minutes after Mike had cut the last
bandage and pressed the last piece of tape in
place. a man stuck his head in the door and
yelled. "AH right, Maloney, let's CO." Johnny
slipped on his robe and followed Mike. At
the top of the steps he looked down to the
ring where two 116-ponders were battling. 1t
seemed miles away.
Johnny never could get used to the long
walk down the aisle and the blurred faces Of
the crowd. He was always nervous before a
fight, and tonight he little shaker than
usual, for this contest meant more to him than
any he had ever had. The trip down the aisle
finally ended at the ringside. and soon the bell
sounded to end the 116-pound bout Johnny
climbed the steps to the ring and slipped
through the ropes.
Sitting on his stool while Mike laced his
gloves, Johnny looked back over his shoulder
There in the fourth row, he saw Molly and his
mother. He turned Across the ring, the
swarthy Cozd looked down at his feet he
rubbed them in the resin box. Johnny won
dered If Cozzi were nervous he. His
gloves tied, Johnny stood up while Mike helped
him off with his robe and threw it over his
An announcer walked to the center of the ring
and the gong rang several times as he waved
his arms for silence.
Next bout" he beloved, next bout-in
the l26-pound class-in this corner, the Al
bany champion, Silvio Cozzi" He waved his
arm toward the boy, who rose halfway and
bowed slightly. The crowd cheered mildly.
The announcer waved his arms. In this cor
ner, our own New York boy Johnny Maloney."
Johnny rose slightly and touched his gloves
over his head. The crowd roared-Johnny
was hometown boy, well known and well
liked.
THERE was no need to announce the weights
] or the number of rounds. for each boy
weighed in for certain class, and under anna
teur rules all bouts lasted three two-minute
rounds.
The referee called them to the center of the
ring. Johnny shook hands with Cozd, who
smiled, then dropped his eyes to his feet as
the referee spoke.
"An right boys-break clean and watch the
low ones. Come out fightingp
Johnny piyoted as Mike pulled his robe of,
revealing his sloping shoulders, narrow hips
and smooth muscles. He walked to his corner,
grabbed the ropes, and dexed his knees. His
heart was pounding. He saw his mother hold
ing tightly to Molly's arm, and saw Molly's
eyes smiling up at him.
The bell sounded Johnny turned and moved
quickly to the center of the ring. AS he touch
ed Cozzis gloves his nervousness vanished. He
dropped into half-crouch. Cozzi before him
was all he saw.
(To Be Continued Next Sunday)