The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-26
LESNEVICH AND MAUR|ELLO IN
 TITLE TONIGHT
Jimmy Hatcher, Beau Jack on Card at Madison
 Square Garden
Special to The DemOcratl

New York, Aug. 26.-A successor to Billy Conn as world hght-heavy- weight champion will be crowned at Madison Square Garden tonight when Gus Lesnevich of Cliffside, N. J., faces Tami Mauriello, of the Bronx in a contest scheduled for fifteen rounds.
 Conn reltnquished the 175-pound division title in order to 90 after Joe Louis heavyweight crown in June-a quest which failed. All the governing bodies of boxing, includ- ing the New York Satte Athletic Commission and the National Box ing Association, will accord cham 'pionship recognition to tonight'S winner.
 LeSneyich has some claim on the title even now. He defeated Anton Christoforidis at the Garden last May and by so doing won N.B.A. recognition.
 While Mauriello is only 8 recent addition to hghtheavy ranks-most of his boxing having been ddne as a middleweight-a surprisingly large number f fist1c sages predict he will triumph over the seasoned Jerseyite.
 Kayo Kid
 They point out that Mauriello is much faster than Gus, is younger by five years, and is far superior as 8 puncher. Tami enters the ring toe night with a record of 9 knocuout victories in B fights and his last eight fights have been kayo tri- umphs. Mauriello has lost only one fight in his entire professional career, dropipng close decision to Billy Soose.
 Tami has another advantage. He has been boxing frequently and this year alone has engaged in nine fights. Lesnevich,. having been against ChristoforibuS in May.
 But Lesnevicl. enjoys big edge over the young Bronxite in the mat ter of experience. Gus has been box ing professionally seven years and before that competed successfully as an amateur. He has encountered all manner of opposition in his career and is confident he can deal with the likes of Mauriello.
 The biggest problem facing Mauriello IS the championship dis tance of fifteen rounds. LeSnevich has gone that route several times and also has 8 number of 12-round- CTS under his belt. Tami, on the other hand, is making his first start in a 14-rounder. But he isn't wor- ried and feels he can travel the full distance at a fast pace, though he expects to score 8 knockout victory.
 Matchmaker Nat Rogers has Bobby Rgffin, crack Astoria, L. l., lightweight, and Patsy Giovanelli, of Brooklyn, paired in the Semi-dnal, listed for 10 rounds.
 This is & match which has aroused considerable interest in local boxing circles. Ruffin has progressed rapidly in the past several months and to- day is rated one of the leading lightweight contenders around. Some weeks ago at the Garden he registered decisive triumph over Mike BelloiSe.
 But in Giovanneln he faces the sternest test of his career. The Brooklyn youngster has chalked up 36 victories in 37 fights and some boxing men consider him the finest prospect in the 135-pound division.
 Beau Jack, highly -touted colored who has been something of sensation in New York rings, makes his first Garden appearance. He opposes Guillerrno Puentes, of Bogota, Colombia, lightweight cham pion of South and Central America, in a six-rounder.
 Hatcher To Show
 A second six-rounder has Jimmy Hatcher, of Lakeside, N. C., meet ing Ted Christie, of Yorkville. Hatcher, recent conqueror of Geor- gie Pace, is a newcomer to the To- cal boxing scene but he comes here with an imposing record. The four round opener on this evenings pro- gram brings together Tony DeSalvo, Corona, L. T., and Joey Manfro, This is a return match, Manfro having upset DeSalvo at the Garden Q few weeks ago.
 The Bronx Gang Busters, loyal followers of Mauriello. will be at the Garden tonight with their full as- sortment of noiSe-makers.
 Indications are that a crowd of about 15,O00 will be present.