The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-09
Today's Sport
 Parade
nY HENRY MeLEMoRE lyJnAied Press Staff Correspondent

GUnxtNd pfeaa StAn CUffctpunucntl
 ios Angeles, Feb. e.-(up)-Cecil Ayron Hammond, Q middle.aged gent who works at the boxing trade in these parts upnder the name Of ,Jack Roper, will be the next in- rocent to bite the canvas under the sledge-hammer blows Of Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis
 The bout between Hammond (or Roper) and Louis Cor Bafrow) has heen arranged for this city on April sa, and will be held either in Wrig. lev field or the Coliseum, depend- ing on which has the quickest seat. ing arrangement. No customer can afford to be late for this one un- less he be an atbulance chaser and all he wants to do Is follow Roper to the hospital.
 Negotiations for the fight (hearl hearD were handled by Tom Qal- lery, c local Tex Rickard, and Mike Jacobs of New York. the bwana of bop who holds the leash on Louis. Roper was notified that he had been tapped for tapping for the cham- pion while at the Universal movie studio, where he is an electrician and extra player. He recently com- pleted e part in Q picture starring Irene punne, and it is said that 1t was his familiarity with stars that prompted Gallery and Jacobs to as- sign him q supporting role with Louis.
 Roper, c brother of that fine fighter of another day, Capt. Bob Roper. has been fighting, off and on, since 1928, He has retired more often than John Mccormack. q. Whenever the fistic pickings got lean he would resume his career as electrician and actor. Since 1886, however, when he flattened Art Laskey in c round. he has been going to the wars fairly steadily and has beaten such fellows as patsy Perroni. Jorge Brescia. Eddie simms, and Bob Nestell. His next appaer. eiice will be against tho Oklahoma Indian, Junior Mtinsell, at tho Hollywood Legion tomorrow ngiht, After hearing tho news that he was Q fight Louis, Roper sair he would mock out Munsell in three rounds which isn't exactly . mad promise, being as three rounds is only about ono under par for the Munsell course.
 Given his share of the breaks, Roper should last well into tho second minute of the first round With Louis. Ho might even last un- ul the third minute If Louis hap- pens to Do brushed with sympathy At tho sight of tho game. battle- scarred old warhorse coming out in the face Of insurmountabic odds Like Tcny uaiento. all Roper hns M 2 terrific left hand punch. Jack really can belt with his left fist He hit Nestell with 1t in the first round q fow weeks ago and Bob toppled for keeps. Roper IA n fairly cagey boxer but when man reaches the age where, when he blows out the candles on his blrth- day cake they throw off enough smoke to sinudge an orange grove uufiflg c cold spell, he doesn't figure 70 nave sufficient speed or strength to eltido tho swift. sure Louis.
 The fight will make money. though. The rejuvenated Roper is the most popular boxer in south- efn California and tho customers will come out to watch tho veteran try to land q 1000 to sset punch. Louis VIII DO q tremendolls drawing card in these parts. He has shown here but once. and that was in iD5B before he gained tho heayyweisbt title. He knocked out Lee Rainage in the second round on that occa. eion. Gallery believes that Roper and Louis will top the record fos Angeles heavyweight gate of si34,- 900 set In 1928 by those masters of the manly art, George (pork Chop Godfrey and Pauline uzcudun.
 (oopyEight ip3o by United pfess)