The Washington times., 1934-01-23
: They All Like Ross
| Which Is Quite OkGy
| They Can be Wrong

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suppose I should not be so sur
prised at their seeming unanim-
ity in picking Ross. But I. am.
After the things Petrolle has
done around this town, I am.
Don't they know the "Old
Gentleman" has more pugilistic
lives than an alley cat, and that
at least one Of his lives Is
charmed?
Check up his record and you'll
find that every time it begins
to look as though he was really
washed up, he has come back
with a sensational win. Bill has
lost now to Canzoneri and Ross,
making an unnatural weight for
both battles. He'll be in there
at what is a catchweight for
him tomorrow, and this has all
the earmarkS of one Of his favor
ite spots.
Ross a Nice Young Boxer
Don't the boys know that what
might be called "a nice young
boxer is going in there against
one Of the toughest old beeZarkS
that ever toed scratch and that
nice young boxers" often fare
badly in such matches?
True, if the fight goes 10
rounds, it is reasonable to sup
pose that the lightweight champ
will win on pointa, His plan
of battle obviously will be to
outlook Bill and wear him down
by making him chase him.
That's part Of the game, and it
is foolish to blame a man for
using his best judgment in any
sort Of fight. That is what his
best judgment is for. They also
made the rings large so the boys
would have room to step around.
But when he was in far from
good physical condition in their
Chicago bout, the Old Express
caught up with Ross not once
but several times. The trouble
was that nothing happened when
he did nail him. At 1873 pounds
his strength was not there. It
might be very different at 142.
Must See Kayo
AS for Ross knocking him out,
I'd have to see that before believ-
ing it. Barney doesn't hit that
hard according to my score card.
He didn't leave a mark on him in
Chicago, and if either is stronger
tomorrow night than he was then
it will be the Fargo man.
So slice it any way you like, it's
Petrolle who has the bill Of goods
the customers crave-that dyna-
hitting sock. And make the odds
what you please, If there is a
knockout scored believe Petrolle
will score it.
If you wish to discount this 50
or even 100 per cent on the
grounds that Betting Bill is my
favorite fighting man, go ahead.
But don't forget when it's over
that I told you that another one
of those old-time Petrolle straw
berry festivals was due.
Dangerous Match
Even though his title is not at
stake this is the most dangerous
match that could have been made
for Ross. He's almost as big an
idol among the ringworms here
now as he is in his home town Of
Chicago. The Canzoneri fight
here made him. If he gets past
this one he figures to draw a for
tune with Jimmy McLarnin dur
ing the outdoor season.
But he's not by this one yet and
won't be until the bell rings end
ing the tenth and last round. He
can win on points and may.
That's the most logical outcome
of the fight. But if he gets the
least bit careless, or Willie gets
the least bit lucky, look out.
So can't understand why the
boys all think it will be such
light touch. William Petrolle,
Esq, has always been right diff
ficult assignment. Or am the
one who is out Of line?
columnist, writeS every day in The