Evening star., 1941-09-29
Cruel Struggle
Likely, Critics
Sharp|YSp|it
so, 900 Fans Expected,
Bout on Wednesday
If Ruin Interferes
BY GAYLE TALBOT,

NEW YORK, Sept. 29.-Joe Louis,
Of the blasting fists. and Lou Nova,
a rugged. courageous specimen from
California, clash at 10 o'clock
(E. S. IT, tonight at the Polo
Grounds in a l5-round heavyweight
championship fight that promises TO
leave $4,000 spectators limp.
This is one battle that scarcely
can miss. Opinion is divided sharply
seems no Doubt in any ones mind
that it will be cruel. spectacular
engagement while 1t lasts.
This is one of the few times that
the big Negro, Louis, has met a
man his equal in physical equip
ment. fighting heart and absolute
confidence since he won the title
only Max Schmeling among the
many who have challenged Louis
and taken their beatings appeared
on the surface to have as good a
chance as Nova against the famous
Bomber.
oCdtCn oIiiy WIEN HI
Nova belongs in there tonight
on his record. He knocked out Max
Baer twice, among other things, and
had Tommy Farr on the verge of a
knockout in the closing rounds of
their scrap. Only some peculiar
interference by the referee saved
Tommy, who only shortly before that
had breezed IS rounds against Louis.
The one time Nova ever was
beaten as a professional was the
night he climbed into the ring. a
sick man. against Tony Galento in
Philadelphia. He got it good that
night. what with his illness. Tonv's
rough tactics and a referee who
looked on with amused tolerance.
But learned something that
night" he says now. "I thought I
could whip any man in the world.
even If I was half-sick. I know
now that it can't be done. This time
I'm in the most perfect physical
condition Of my life, and I won't
muff the chance"
The bookmakers do not share
Nova's confidence in his DESTINY.
AT the last check-up they were Of
ferlng 13 to 5 that he catches a
licking from Louis ANY one want
ing to bet on the champion was
asked to put up SIS to win IS. II
is one of the biggest betting fights.
they say, since the days of Jack
Dempsey.
Tongues in Cheeks Pick Nova.
While many observers. including
this writer, have picked Nova to win.
1t must be admitted that they have
done so with some foreboding. They
aren't obnoxious about it. and they
usually wind up with a cautious
If Joe doesn't slaughter him in the
| first round"
Even If Louis has slipped a trife
| from his dazzling best, he still hits
like trip-hammer and is too fast
to be avoided for long. If he has
lost any of his great ability, it is
only relative. He will hit Nova
quickly, hard and often. 1t only
remains to be seen whether the
rock ribbed Californian can take
this, shake it off and come on.
Physically there is almost moth
ing to choose between them. Both
are just over 200, generally consid-
cred an ideal weight for heavy
weights, and they are of almost
equal height.
The only cloud was, literally, the
threat of light showers during the
evening. The very thought was
painful to Promoter Mike Jacobs,
who had a safe practically bursting
with fresh money and was talking
to himself, with gestures. If
postponement is necessary, it would
be put back to Wednesday night.
which would run the fight smack
into the World Series.