The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-27
MANN LIKES HIS. CHANGES WITH
 CHAMPION LOUIS
Hamden Boy First State Fighter to Get Chance
 at Heavyweight Title
BY ERNEST BARCELLA United Press Stan COrrespOndent)

United Press Stan COrrespOndent)
 Hamden, Conn, Dec. 27.-(UP).- In his typically quiet and self.con- fldent manner, hard hitting Nathan Mann (nee MenchettD conceded to- day he has a pretty good chance of lifting the heavyweight crown from Champion Joe Louis when they clash for IS rounds or less at Madison Square Garden Feb. 9.
 T believe l have as much chance against Louis as Max Schmelnig thought he did," admitted the Apollo like youth who may become boving's man of destiny. "Schmel- ing was about the only one who gave himself a chance before he met Louis. And you know what he did to Joe."
 Mann, who in six short years rose from the obscurity of farmer lad to one of the most enviable positions In the prize fighting business, isn't a bit aWed by the prospect of get- ting a crack at the coveted title.
 Its my big chance and I'm going to make the most of 1t. The thought of getting in there with a hitter like Louis doesn't bother me at all. After all, I have 8 pretty good right hand myself. realize that lot is at stake and that this is @ big gafn- ble. But I'm ready to take my chances"
 Not skinny" Now
 Scarcely four months ago.: l Uci.s...a,,U ns ARao,, 1.ou lrvnuy,1 fn the neighborhood before he blos- somed out into a strapping slugger, confided to us that he hoped to win the heavyweight title "by the end of 1o38."
 At the time, even the idea of his getting a chance at the title "by the end of 1888" seemed remote. But his conquests of the likes of Arturo Godoy and Bob Pastor changed all that.
 The 227year-old bruiser who possesses 8 string of /27 knockouts in ~ professional battles, is per" haps the most talked about citizen this New Haven suburb has known. He has Connecticut by the ears be- ears because he is the first bona fide resident of the Nutmeg state to get a crack at the heavyweight crown.
 How does Mann plan to fight MT. Louis?
 Anybody knows it's foolish to go in there and slug with a fighter nke Joe. I'm going to take my time. l realize that Louis has a pretty bothersome left jab. But.1 think my bobbing and weaving style will make | 1t difficult for him to get in his jabss or land effective blows. And or course, the minute I get a good opening, I'm going to let that right hand of mine go."
 This. incidentally, will be Mann.s first scheduled 15-round battle. He plans to start wood chopping in neighboring towns during the cur- rent week and about a month hence will go into a training camp-prob- ably at Summit, N. J. Under pres ent plans, the Man forces will col- lect mivies of Louis fights and run them off in slow motion to study weaknesses in the Brown Bombers armour--just as schmeling did.
 Some boxing critics aver that Mann is making mistake taking on Louis at this stage in his ca reer.
 Confident
 Tt may be that am making a mistake" Mann observed. "But only time can tell. My decision to accept the fight wiht Louis was made af- ter many talks with trusted advisers and 1t was agreed that this was as good a time as any.
 "'Opportunity knocks but once, they sal, and $'m answering. l hope that after my right 'knicks' Louis he won't BE ABLE TO ANSWER.