The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-23
HEAVY MONEY ON GARCIA GROWN QUEST FRIDAY
Armstrong, WeIter Champ, May Be Down to Even
 Money Choice Soon
BY LESLIE AVERY

United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Noy. 23.-(UP)-The heaviest betting on New York fight since the Louis-Baer scrap was reported today on Henry Arm strong's 15-round defense of his welterweight championship against Ceferir1o Garcia Friday night.
 The uncertainess of the outcome has caused enough arguing and wagering to make it the biggest bet ting brawl of a decade outside the heavyweight division. Commission CTS reported there was enough Armstrong money on hand to make the champion 3-2 favorite today. but that it probably would be 5-4 by tomorrow with a possibility of ene-money quotations by ring time.
 Never has there been a fight in which the so-called "expertsS were so reluctant to pick winner. This IS one where you can't stick to the time worn adages that govern most pred1ctors, because they conflict. If you string along with the cham pion" then you can't "take the good big man over the good little man. i" Betting on the titleholder also would be a strict violation of put your money on the puncher."
 $10O,00O Gate
 The brisk betting was reflected in ticket sales = to the relief of Mike Jacobs who was hugely dis appointed by the poor turnout for last weeks Apostoli- Corbett mid- dleweight "title" fight. Promoter Mike said he was sure of $1OO,- GOO gate, that it probably would mount to $100,000, possible by a 25,O00 sellout of Madison Square Garden. When the fight was post poned from November 2 because of Armstrong's back injury, only four ringside tickets were returned for refund.
 Both fighters, pronounced by athletic commission physicians in perfect condition" wind up train- ing today and both were claiming benefit from the delay. While ArmStrong'S wrenched back never was regarded seriously by fight fans, the last there weeks gave his lever lip = the one that required 12 stitches after the Ambers light weight title fight in August - a chance to heal completely. He has been sparring without the head guard designed to protect his lip
 The string with the champion bettors believe that Henry's inces- sant barrage of punching and his ever-advancing style will wear Gar cia out just as they did Barney Ross when the welter title changed hands last May.
 Ambers Murt Henry
 The "good big man" contingent point to the close decision Arm. strong won over the 135-pound Am bers in taking the lightweight title and are putting their money on tn Filipino, who will come into tn ring at about 147 compared tt Henry's 137 or 138. This group ha the added argument of Ceferino' heavier punching, although Arm. strong probably will throw four ol five times as many blows, none o! them carry the sting of the island CTS hooking uppercut which he calls his "bolo punch.
 To Garcia's disadvantage, how ever, is the mass of scar tissue cov- ering his left brow. One of Arm- strong's slashing right hooks could slice that patchwork just easeasily as the bolo punch could cause g blood main to burst in Henry's spongy lip. The one thing that all betters and experts concede, is that the fight vii hot likely last the scheduled IS rounds.