Evening star., 1941-01-21
Middle Champ Hopes
To Pile Up Points
As Foe Rushes
Title Is Not Involved,
But Tony Is Menace
To Ken's Prestige
BY LEWIS F. ATCHISON.

Ken Overln steps into the ring
tonight at Turner's Arena to initiate
the inhabitants Of these quint acres
into the mysteries Of keeping a world
middleweight title.
His assistant in this astounding
feat-done absolutely without aid OF
mirrors, wires or other gadgets-will
be one Tony Cisco and to guard
against unforeseen mishaps 1t will
be 10-round. non-title bout.
Ordinarily when a champ and
chupp work in the same ring the
champ couldn't be safer If he wore
suit of armor and left the deed
to his title in strong box-but this
time it's different. Cisco Is pictured
as bloodthirsty rascal, vowing
vengeance on Overlin's manager
one Christopher Dundee-for past
wrongs, imaginary or otherwise. The
meanest thing you can do to a
manager is beat his fighter, espe-
cially when one has a title in the
poke.
1t shouldn't happen here and will
not affect Overlin's official status
If 1t does. but it can, and that is
the important point
Champ Expects Tough Fight.
1t happened once before-last
July at Scranton. Pa. where Overlin
was the victim of Billy Sooses long
arms and couple of pencils welded
by civic-minded, hometown judges.
He lost a 10-rounder on that
memorable occasion and while Soose
had more polish than Cisco he didn't
dish out the two-f1sted brand Of
misery Tony is expected to serve to-
night. As for the judges decision,
well. anything can happen in WASH
ington.
So the champ is worried genuinely
about the nights business, although
you wouldn't know it to see him
batting pop flies with sparmates in
training. He anticipates rough
and ready encounter with Tony, but
is prepared to stand back and pop
him off as the Italian walks in and
pile up decisive margin on points
Although he loafed through training
over the week end, Overlin was down
to 161 yesterday and expected to
come in at that figure. Cisco will
make 162, under the terms, if he
has to eat a nine-course meal and
put his kid brother on the scale
with him.
Cisco apparently is obsessed with
the idea Of taking Overlin over the
hurdles. A former stablemate of
Overlin's who turned to greener pas
lures after becoming dissatisfied
with his management, Cisco has
fought here before and made a
favorable impression.
His only defeat was disputed
decision at the hands of Steve
Mamakos His chief stock in trade
is a willingness to mingle with the
party Of the second part, a knowl-
edge Of the intricate art Of inflght-
ing and a tendency to resort to
backroom tactics when they could
turn the tide his way.
Cisco won't kayo Ken, however,
and as Overlin recently got by two
fierce duels with Steve Belloise, con-
sidered the most promising young
ster in the division, he should
Withstand Tony's worst blows. Cisco
won't meet anybody cagier or smart
er than Overlin if he fights until
doomsday.
The supporting card has at least
one standout bout-the semiflnal of
eight rounds between Pedro Hern-
andez and Johnny Forte of Phila-
delphia. Hernandez, managed by
Al WE'LL. was supposed to show here
two weeks ago against Billy Banks,
but was yanked off the card when
WE'LL decided the District colored
boy had too much reach for him.
WE'LL believes Pedro is going to the
top and is unwilling to take undue
risks with him. Forte is clever and
strong, but can be beaten.
In other bouts Ray Lands meets
Phil liner, Dave Chacon takes on
Eddie Finazzo and Tiger Flowers
goes against Buddy Holmes. The
latter will be four-rounder and
the others six each.