The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-23
Poverty Was Louis Lot For Years

made his first appearance fin com petition. Entered in a local tour- nament, he drew as his opponent Johnny Miler. a seasoned cam. paigner. and one of the outstand- ing amateur light.heavies in the middle west. It was a tough spot for novice, and. naturally. Louis was nervous--tife inevitable stage fright" had him. Hardly had the clang of the opening gong died away when Joe was on the floor. He got up. He wen down again. once more he got up. It was three-round bout, and Joe himself doesn't know how many tiihes he was down in the first two rounds. But eventually he snapped out of 1t, and in the final session more than held his own with his more experienced rival, though he lost ths decision.
 Rather. than discourage him, that defeat in his debut only add. ed fuel to the fires fo the young ster's fistic ambition. He continued to train, and to learn, in the gym. In his next appearance in the ring he scored sensational knockout.
 Joe was on his way. In two years of amateur competition, he piled up the remarkable total of 43 knockouts in H4 starts, scored seven other victories via the de. cision route, and had only four verdicts given against him. He climaxed his brilliant simon pure record by annexing the National A, A. U. light.heavyweight champion ship in St. Louis in the spring oi 1884.
 During this time Joe was work. ing as a laborer in the Ford plant in Detroit, drawing down a week. ly $25 check. But. sensing q more lucrative field in the professional prize ring, he determined. shortly after the St. Louis tournament, to quit his job and make boxing his business.
 Two Managers
 .Ie discussed the subject with his friend, John Peterborough, one. time University of Michigan baa- ketball star ,and now q prominent Detroit attorney. He insisted that Peterborough be his manager. John agreed, on the condition that hii business partner, Julian Black oi Chicago, be co-mnnager. This ar. rangement was satisfactory tc Louis.
 The first move Peterborough and Black made-and 1t was q shrewd move indeed--was to engage the veteran Jack Blackburn to coach and train the youngster. A bril- liant boxer himself, back in tho early days of the century, Black. burn had, after retiring from ac. tive competition, established him. self as one of thes Inartest trainers and handlers of ringmen in the world. Among his other accom-. plishnients had been the develop. ment of two worlds champions Bud Taylor, who had reached tht top of the bantam heap. and Sam. my Mardell. who for while ruled tho lightweight roost. Blackburn took charge of Louis nine days be. fore the youngsters professions debut, which was celebrated at thu Bacon arena. Chicago. July { 1884.
 Joe knocked out one Jacl Kracken in the first round tha ni-ht---and for his efforts received $50.
 Z, Now. fourteen months later, thu youngster is preparing for . matci that is expected to net him be tween S25O,O00 and $300,000. No Rags to Riches" tale, roiiini of the facile pen of an HoSati. Alger, could picture more arnaz ing career than that of this quiet almost shy, colored boy, whos' battle with Max Baer at the Tan kee stadium. New York. the eve ning of Sept. 24 is expected ts