The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-20

I Tomorrow nights 10 round en. counter with Robinson, who ha. hammered out an all-time recorc winning streak as an amateur ant professional, is the climax of ar apparently suicidal campaign b, Shank. A confident kid, he is tryinl to cram lustrous career O. fighting into the few short month, remaining before he enters tht Coast Guard.
 Shank, who won his last two fights in Newark, has trained here for the Robinson brawl because he doesn't like the swirl of humanity in New York.
 He will carry into the ring one of the grandest fighting bodies the fans ever have seen-plus cour- ageous confident heart. He lacks experience and polish however.
 This Colorado youngster, who wears a cowboy outfit for publicity purposes and because he used to ride broncs and rope cattle on a ranch, of background that in cludes life on ranch, near his | fathers sugar beet farm, is the fight managers dream" because he has the build and the mind of a fighter This brown haired lad with the arms and shoulders of light heavy weight, unquestionably would be a world champion in year or two The managers who have watched him training at Jimmy Marsillo's gym admit that-for he apparently has what it takes. Even Pilot Willie Gilzenberg and his fighter, Freddie Cochrane. of the Navy, welter- weight champion, are ardent ad- mirers of the Denver Kid. This is natural, for he can punch with either hand. is fast on his feet and is awkwardly clever. But none of them believe he is ready for Robin son.
 This doesn't perturb Shank, who is trying to carve out quick stake for his father and mother before he goes into service. He sits there ir his cheap hotel room, wearing his cowboy raiment. and looks at you with those icy brown eyes.
 They didn't think I was ready for Zivic or Armstrong either-did they? he says. Well, I'm not brag- ging, but I'm telling you I'll knock that Robinson out"
 WelterWeight Champion Cochrane spending his first leave from the Navy at his home in nearby Eliza beth, N. J., has been giving Shank pointers on how to fight Robinson Cochrane regards Robinson as ar over r-publicized "front-runner" whc never has had to weather a serious body attack When some gooc puncher tries to tear his belly out" Robinson will wilt-because of hi. slender, long waistline, Cochrant says.
 Frit1e zivic and Henry Arm strong, two honest warriors, bott put their stamp of approval or Shank. Zivic certainly should. Fol he fought Shank twice, losing tht first time and then gaining dis. puted decision.
 The experts fear that Ruber lacks the necessary experience te cope with Robinson. He has hac only B professional contests anc approximately 34 amateur brawls Moreover, Shank is going into tn, ring with a recently healed gash or his upper right eye lid. suffered 1T his last bout, with Phil Norman a Newark on August Il. He knocked out Norman in five rounds.
 l, Shank has been using a face masl in training. But a spar mate banged ten mask and indicted a deep easl at the corner of his mouth.
 Despite the opinion of expert and the fact that Robinson is a lop sided betting favorite. we hope only hope, mind you-that Shan will win tomorrow night. Becaus you've just got to admire the ra' courage of this kid from the wes who is trying to make a stake fo his father and mother at the ex pense of Sugar" Robinson.