The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-08
WINNER TO EARN
 CHANGE FOR 1S5 !. CHAMPIONSHIP
Crowd of 10000 Expected to Pay $z5,OOO; Rico Has
 Many Hackers in Bout

- New York, Jan. 8-(UP)-Boh Montgomery, rugged Philadelphia negro, is favored at 8-5 to beat Young Chester Rico of the Bronx tonight in their 15.round Madison Square Garden bout, which is part of the tournament to determine Q challenger for lightweight charn- pion Beau Jack.
 Jack, the Georga negro bootblack who is recognized as king of the 136-pounders in New York and New Jersey, will defend against the tournament winner. Although Jack is not recognized as champ by the National Boxing association, the vic. tor of his bout with the tourna- ment winner will be acclaimed light- weight ruler by the NBA.
 Montgomery is favored tonight because he has had more experi- ence against formidable opponents. He has fought twice against Lew Jenkins and three times against Sammy Angott in over-the-weight matches when both were cham pions.
 We'll Backed
 Rico, a slender, dark -haired 1tal. ian, has p,en'y of backing, however, because of his youth, 2l years. his speed and his boxing skill. More. over 1t is recalled that he almost licked Beau Jack twice, before the Georgia negro became champion. In the spring of 1941 Rico held Jack to a draw, and last October, he lost an unpopular decision to him.
 Both will come in just under the 135-pound limit.
 Promoter Mike Jacobs expects a crowd of 10000 and 8 gate of $25,- 900.
 The Philadelphian has a decided advantage over Rico in the matter of experience, even though both be- gan their professional boxing ca- reers little over four years ago. Montgomery has, on the whole. met far more formidable array of op. position than Rico.
 But the young Bronxite has re- gently established himself as lightweight of championship calibre. He has made many stirring fights both at the Garden and at other local arenas, defeating Joey Peralta, Terry Young, and Harry Hurst, among others.
 Rico has twice met Beau Jack. Their first bout, in Ho.yoke, Mass, was called draw though the box | ing writers agreed almost unani- nously that Rico was entitled to the decision. The second contest, at the Garden last October, went to Beau Jack but the verdict was vehenently protested by the spectators ard many of the experts thought the vote should have gone to the Bronx. lie.
 Both Montgomery and Rico have made frequent Garden appearances but three of the Quaker City col- orsd lads starts have been in Gar. den main events. Rico, on the other hand, is moving up into @ headline spot for the first time.
 Different Styles :. Montgomery and Rico represent 'wo entirely different schools of fist- tcuffing. Montgomery is the club- fighting type of boxer. He keeps charging forward at all times. likes to move in close to his opponent. helabor him with body blows. He shuffles forward somewhat after the fashion set by Henry Armstrong. Rico is of the orthodox, straight, stand-up school. He is good boxer. has an effective left hand, shoots punishing straight right, boxes clev- erly on defense. Tn preparation for his meeting with Montgomery he practiced long on a right hand up. percut which he expects to use to advantage.
 Neither Rico nor Montgomery had any difficulty sealing down to 135 pounds, the required weight for tonight's contest. Montgomery did most of his training in Phlladel- phia, finishing up at Stillman's gymnasium here. Rico also did his conditioning at Stillman's.
 Matchmaker Nat Rogers has signed Johnny Greco, crack young Montreal lightweight, and Billy Speary, of Nanticoke, Pa. for the eight-round se1ni-final. Greece proved highly impressive in a re cent Garden start. knocking our Harold Green in one round. He is rated one of the most promising lightWeights in action. Horne Co Show A second eight-round event brings together George (Sonny) Hornen, of Niles, Ohio, and Joe Agosta, of Harlem. Horne has climbed high in rniddleweight ranks during the past year and tonight makes his first Garden appearance in an eight-rounder. Heretofore he had been restricted to six rounds because of his age. He Is now i0. Two four-round bouts complete the card. In the first, George Lar- over, of Philadelphia, unbeaten in fifteen pro fights, faces Pete 1 Manchio, Greenwich Village light- weight Tn the curtain raiser. Jack ie Connolly, flasty feathe:weight youngster from Long Island City,