The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-14
TODAY'S
 SPORT PARADE
BY HENRY McLEMORE

Limited Press StaIf COrEeSpOnucnC
 Los Angeles, Feb. 14-(UP)-Un- der the impression that I was going to see Joe Walcott, the welterweight champion, in an exhibition match, I went to the Belmont theater here last night. There is no need to tell you that was tremendously sur prised when I discovered that 1t wasn't Joe Walcott at all who was on exhibition, but 8 heavyweight named Alec. Woollcott.
 I don't know anything about this Woollcott, and he might be hell of a puncher, but just to look at him he is the worst conditioned White Hope" I ever saw. He made his first entrance into the ring in a wheel chair, and no man who has to ride in that sort of a contri- vance has a prayer against Joe Louis.
 When he came in he was as nerv- ous as golden glover. He didn't know what to do with his hands, and when he was getting his in- structions (from the wings) he tugged at his dressing gown, Shuf- fled his feet, and rolled his should CTS like punch drunk fighter dodging invisible blows. The odds on him immediately dropped, and it was 6-2-and even that he wouldn't last the three rounds Cor actS).
 There were takers, however. Sit- ting next to me, in a ringside seat, was w. c. Fields, and close by was Oliver Hardy, both of whom gave physical evidence of being able to judge any show with the title 'The Man Who Came to Dinner"
 Go The Limit
 Hell last the distance" Fields said. T never saw heavyweight champion or challenger who couldn't eat, and that Woollcott or Walcott or whatever his name iS, didn't get those chins for Christmas. He's fatter than Jack Sharkey ever was, and Jack won the title."
 I wasn't the only one fooled by the similarity of the names Wooll- colt and Walcott. Mike Jacobs, the New York promoter, had sent a scout out with 8 contract to sign up the heavyweight who was get ting so much publicity in Los An- geles and Hollywood.
 was talking to Jacobs agent be- fore we went into the theater and realized our mistake.
 "Know anything about this guy Walcott?" he asked me. Any kin to old Joe; what's he got? Is he a hitter or a boxer? Is he signed up with some manager, or can we get him?" >
 When Woollcott made his first ap- pearance in wheel chair, and wearing glasses, the scouts cry of dismay could be heard all over the theater. He found me during the first act intermission and was sore as hell.
 What is this, a gag?" he de- manded. That guy can't fight 8 lick. don't care how good box office he is, he wouldn't last heat against 10 guys I can name you. Galento would kill him with left to the belly, and that Billy Conn would tie him up in knots Who- ever tipped Mike off to this guy gave him a bum steer. Whatcha gonna do with 8 guy that wears glasses? It's against the law to hit guy with cheaters on"
 Woollcott fought gamely through the first act. He was hanging on at times, but he always managed to come through with punch that Kaufman and Hart had taught him after, heavens only knows, how many hours in the gymnasium. In the second act he seemed to get confidence and show more Hart-more Moss Hart. In the third act, and he was watching the clock now. he quit his defensive tactics and became offensive, par ticularly to the older and more staid members of the crowd. Some of his punch Oines) were low, but it was obvious that he was fOllow- ing instructions from his corner. When the last gong rang and ]