The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-29
BIC CHANGE FOR CALIFORNIAN
 COMES TONIGHT
Title Bout, Even If Post pOned, May Reach $6SO,-
 900 "Gate"
By JACK CUDDY
nited Press Staff COrrespOndent)

(Umited Press Stan COfrespOmdentl
 New York, Sept. 29-(uP)-Lou Nova's fantastic comeback campaign from grave-edgeto glory, reaches its climax tonight before some 60,00o spectators at the Polo grounds where he has his dream shot at Joe Louis heavyweight crown.
 It's climax night too for Louis, the great Negro champion, who is making his last fight before going into the army--his 18th title defense and against the man rated the most dangerous opponent he ever faced.
 Nova is desperately determined to win. This determination lifted him of his hospital cot a months ago when doctors insisted he was dying. It fueled him along the tough trail. But, Louis appears equally determined to pack his crown into the army.
 Hence their scheduled l5-round battle may blossom into another Dempsey -Ferpo brawl, which was staged at the same Polo Grounds in 1923. Like Dempsey and Firpo both of tonight's principals con- centrate on attack and are rather careless on defense. Both are likely to be on the canvas in the early rounds.
 Prospects of torrld leather tossing should bring out Q crowd of about 6o,O00, largest fight gathering since 10000 attended the second Louis- Schrneling bout in '38. Promoter Mike Jacobs expects gate of about $650 0040, even if today's threatened rain causes a two-day postponement to Wednesday.
 The forecast of showers early to- day indicated that the weather might clear in time for the bout scheduled for 10 p. m. (EsT.
 Meanwhile Louis is the betting favorite at l3 to 5, despite Novas apparent prowess ct 26 years-peak age for a hghetr--and his assists from the cosmology and yogi. Louis Is only one year older, 27, but he has had 54 fights in the past seven years and he has been in almost constant training, factors which tend to burn one out. The cham pion apparently showed enough stuff" in training ct Greenwood Lake, N. F., to convlnc ethe smart money boys that he still is capable of licking Nova.
 Stopped 46 of H
 Louis has suffered but one defeat in 64 professional bouts, and he koncked out 4.. opponents, making him the most destructive champion in history. This will be his 18th title defense; all the heavyweight cham pions before him made 8 total of only 23 defenses.
 Jolting Joe's performances against the six opponents whom both have fought, were far more impressive than Novas. Only against Tommy Farr did Challenger Lou make the better showing. The champion was much superior against Lee Ramage, Bob Pestor, Maxie Baer, Abe Simon and particularly against Tony dal- ento. "Two-Ton" Tony scored technical knockout over Nova at SIllkAQeipIllb III 40o0,
 That Galento knockout has been one of the big question marks in Nova's career. Lou and his handlers insist that he was sick. The bout was postponed two weeks allegedly because Of his illness. They claim he already was suffering from Q blood infection that proved nearly fatal Q few months later in a Cali fornia hospital.
 Nova fooled the physicians and re. covered. As soon as he was back on his pins, he was tossing leather. He knocked out Johnny Erjavec last October, outpointed Pat Comiskey in January, koncked out Maxie Baer for the second time in April, and slowed away Jim Robinson in June. Since then he has been training for Louis in Maine and at Pomptor Lakes, N. J.
 At Pompton, Nova looked better than ever before in workouts, though never an impressive gymna. sium performer. His footwork was improved and his left jabs and hooks were sharper.
 Playing POssum?
 Louis, who had the fight post. poned 10 days so he could get into condition, took things so easy at Greenwood Lake, N. Y, 1t was dif- ficult for experts to get a true line on his form He seemed of during his preceding fight-a-month cam- paign, and particularly in his last bout with Billy Conn in June.
 In training, he apparently lacked zest, and he appeared of in his timing and judgment of distance. Co-Manager Julian Black. admitted he had faded 20 per cent, but Trainer Jack Blackburn denied this.