The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-06-01
.BO0KIES RATE .BAER NOVA 60. .TOSSUP TONIGHT
Anything May Happen as Ex-Champ and Youngster
 Try For Louis Bout
BY HARRY FERGUSON Limited Press Sports Editor)

New York, June 1.-(UP)-Like a couple of guys pulling and showing to see who can stick his neck under g guillotine first, Max Baer and Lou Nova fight tonight to determine which one goes against Joe Louis in the fall for the heavyweight championship of the world. It's even money and take your choice.
 If you like a young, hungry fighter who is smart, ambitious and packs a fair punch in either hand, get aboard Nova.
 If you prefer man who can't box and is strictly one-handed puncher, then have load of mad cap Maxie Baer and stake every thing on the chance that somewhere along the line he will get across the terrific right that once killed a man in the ring.
 The distance is IS rounds and many persons-including the author of this sparkling essay on pugilism believe that if Baer is going to win, he'll have to do it before the bell rings for the sixth. The far ther it goes, the better Nova's chances should be. He is younger, 8 better boxer, he has more incentive to win and, unlike Baer, he has left nothing along the primrose path where more championships are lost than are ever lost in the ring.
 There have been tall tales about how this is new Baer who will move out under the burning lights tonight, a serious minded, well con- ditioned Baer who wants to dispose of Nova and then avenge his honor by getting another crack at Joe Louis. Open the window and throw all that sort of stuff out. He will be the same old Baer-a little older, maybe a little slower-but still the same old Maxie who looks like the greatest fighter in the world when things are going his way and the worst in the world when the road gets rough.
 Nova, a Tunney-like sort of fel- low, is easy to figure. Nobody, not even Maxie himself, knows what Baer will do or say when the bell sends them out. He may rush out and clout Nova with a sledge- ham, mer right and take command of the fight from the first 10 seconds If Baer's confidence is Sapped by an early reverse, he probably will fritter away the fight and wind up losing the decision.
 To the winner goes shot at the championship in September. That means, to all practical purposes, a shot at Louis although Joe vii. go through the formality of send Signor Tony Galento back to his beer par Tor in New Jersey at the last part of this month.
 The. crowd at Baer's training camp, brimming with confidence has laid 5000 cold dollars on the line at even money that Maxie wins tonight. Max himself has contrib uted better than one-third of tht amount.
 Nova was equally confident.
 I'll be disappointed if I donf knock him out" he said. T know I'm going to outpoint him. If Bael wants to slug, I'll slug with him If he wants to box, I'll give him { licking"
 The betting has been heavy, bu most bookmakers merely say: "Sh
 to five and take your pick" Tha means they consider it an ever money bet and are merely taking the bulge for their commission. Working in Nova,s corner will b, James J. Braddock, the Cinderella man who won the heavyweight til, from Baer four years ago and wh. now is seeking to bring abou Maxie,s downfall again.
 Promoter Mike Jacobs predicts {
 crowd of 25,000 and gate of $2O0,
 900.