Evening star., 1942-04-21
SavoId in Line for Scrap With Nova
Rugged Lee Deemed
Good Sub for Simon
On Navy Relief Bill
Des Moines Heavyweight
Is Fast; Back Ailment
Makes Abe Quit Ring

Lee savold. rugged Des Moine'
heavyweight. who has hovered or
the fringe Of stardom these many
years without crossing the thresh-
old, today loomed as the leading
candidate TO pinch hit for big Abe
Simon against Lou Nova next month
at Griffith Stadium on the Citizens
Committee for Navy Relief boxing
card.
Savold's name came to the fore
almost Immediately after the an
nouncement Of Simon's decision TO
quit the ring because Of a back
injury. decision arrived at with
help Of his bride Of few months
and with the blessing Of his mana
ger, aStute Jimmy Johnston. 1t
meant, according to well-informed
sources, that Simon would pass UP
almost $50. 900 in purses and possibly
a third bout with Champion Joe
Louis, but The big fellow evidently
valued his health more than money.
Savold is not the most popular
choice as a substitute, but probably
is the only fighter Matchmaker Mike
Jacobs can obtain The blond war
rior has appeared here twice before.
saving the card the night Bill Poland
kayoed Eddie Blunt last summer at
the same Grifflth Stadium, and re-
turning again TO fatten an unknown
and unremembered rival at Turner's
Arena.
Good Match for Nova.
The Des Moines larruper might
be more suited for Novas style Of
fighting than Simon at that. He
can match Nova's speed. He
punches at least as hard as the
Californian and apparently stands
up better under severe pounding,
He exhibited all OF these qualities
In betting out Claudio Villar here
last summer in one of the widest
and bloodiest fights yet staged at the
stadium. Savold came back to win
after twice being on the verge OF a
knockout.
Savold is one Of the few heavy
weights in the game who has not
met and been chilled by Louis and
a decisive victory over the yoga
practitioner might put him in line
for that reward-if reward is the
name for 1t. His record. while list
ing numerous defeats, isn't too bad
and proves, at least, that he has not
limited himself to a small circle of
opponents but has met the best.
While the Savold- Nova fight is the
hottest thing on the fire. rumors also
have been heard of a match be-
tween Tommy Tucker, a leading
candidate for the hght-heavyweight
crown, and Billy Conn. Another
possibility is a duel between Bob
Pastor, the "spoiler" Of the un-
limited class, and Light heavyweight
Champion Melio Bettina. This latter
match has caught the committees
fancy and 1t is possible that ii may
top the card.
Abrams, Manakos Stir Fans.
Some doubt as to Simon's avail
ability was expressed last week when
1t was learned definitely that he had
signed to box Harry Bobo, giant
Pittsburgh Negro, in the Smoky City
next Monday night. Bobo, conquerer
OF Lem Franklin several weeks ago,
was quoted as favorite over Simon,
who had not gone well in training
and was only lukewarm about the
business.
While the committee is wrestling
with the problem of a main go, local
ring fans already are contemplating
the third and rubber" match be-
tween George Abrams, one of two
top-ranking challengers for the mid
dleweight title, and Steve Mamakos.
Both are Washington boys who got
their starts here in amateur ranks
and rose to the top.