Evening star., 1940-12-16
Chance Of Ring Fame
For Banks in Bout
With Archibald
Shot at Ex-Feother Kinq
Tonight Toughest Test
D. c. Boy Has Faced

Billy Banks, 19-year- old Washing
ton colored fighter, who almost over
night has become the toast Of U
street, has chance tonight to DEM
onstrate what fistic ability he has to
get him beyond the preliminary roles
he has been filling. He tackles joey
Archibald, formerly world feather
weight champion, and long a favor
ite here, in the eight-round feature
of the boxing show at Turner's
Arena.
Although this is the first real
headline spot for the colored fashion
plate, he strangely finds himself on
the better end of 6-to-5 odds. Hes
been a hard worker to date among
boXing's lesser lights, winning 30
or "a pro battles while en- route to
tonight's feature engagement.
For Archibald, the fight marks his
return to the city which started him
on the path to fame and the feather
title. He won his first glory here
with long string of victories, many
by knockouts. 1t also was here that
he hit the downgrade.
Joey Never Beaten Here.
He has yet to be a loser in Is
Washington fights-he won IL of
them by knockouts-but his last
show here against Harry Jeffra in
October of 1889 was the beginning Of
his downfall He was given an un-
popular split decision and early this
year the National Boxing Associa-
ton stripped him Of a share of the
title and awarded it to Petey Scalzo.
Later the process was completed
when he lost the New York and
Maryland version of the feather
championship to Jeffra in Balti-
more. He claims he now is on the
comeback trail ard will make this
fight with Banks the first step to-
ward regaining the title.
That may be so or it may be that
Archibald, now past his prime, is
doing what several other former
champions have done, serving as
test for up-and-coming youngsters
on whose records a win over a for
mer champion would loom large.
Even though Banks is a slim IA
vorite and much younger than
Archibald, he probably will find the
former champion difficult TO handle
joey is ringWise. His dozen knock
outs in Washington are not to be
discredited. His chance for victory
I tonight may be to put Banks on the
floor and keep him there.
Youth in Banks Favor.
If the battle lasts the eight rounds
the decision may go to Banks. He
can be hit and has been hit by for
mer opponents. but his granite jaw
has withstood all assaults and he
never has been Knocked down.
Archibald at one time was con-
sidered something OF a knockout
artist, but his punches have lost
much Of their sting in the last year
and a half Although youth and
spirit favor Banks. experience and
a good record will be working for
| Archibald, and it's likely that the
current odds of 6 to for Banks
will drop to even money by fight
| time.
Five matches are on the support
ing card. In an eight-round semi,
Carl Dell, hard-hitting Archibald
/ stablemate and former Golden
Gloves champion, meets joey Span
| gler. Richmond boy, who has won
eight straight and has beaten Nor
ment Quarles and Irish Eddie
/ Dunno
i Dave Chacon Of Los Angeles meets
+ El Brookman of Washington in a
/ six, while Ray Lands takes on
Nickie Walsh and Oscar Wright
mixes with Pedro Cisco in four
FOUNDERS.