The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-12-28
GEORGIA NEGRO DREW $46O,O0O
 IN 5 BATTLES
By JACK CUDDX United Press Staff Correspondent

oV JACM OOOO4
 Limited Press Staff Correspondent
 New York. Dec. 28.-CUP) From a record-shattering 4,382 profess sional boxers who tossed leather during 1944, brown-skinned Beau Jack-an Army private at Ft. Ben- ming, Ga.-was elected boxer of the year" by the Ring Magazine, which released it's annual ratings today.
 Bull-shouldered Beau, who was baptized Sidney Walker at Augusta, Ga, g years ago, lost the light weight crown to Bob Montgomery iI March; but he stimulated the fight game with his battle royal style by attracting gates totaling $460,00O for five bouts as civilian at Madison Square Garden.
 In addition, after entering the Army, he donated his services for a ncn-title tilt with champion Mont gomery at the Garden in August. The bout sold $35 1864, 300 in war bonds.
 These performances entitled Beau to the Ring Magazines coveted award, according to editor Nat Fleischer who analysed the efforts of other standouts among the un- precedented 4.382 commercial scrap pers.
 FIeischer pointed out that this record number of fighters reflected the prosperous condition of the fight game, despite the absence of many name me-performers in service. Hundreds of amateurs turned pro- fessionals, hoping to hammer out quick dollars before being inducted. Also many boxers were discharged from service because of physical disabilities. However, all of the total did not carry on through the year, since 2,356 entered service.
 Fleischer emphasized that the magazine is not proclaiming Beau Jack lightweight champion, although it rates him above the two men who claim the title-Montgomery of Philadelphia and Juan zurita of Mexico. Montgomery is recognized by New York state, and Zurita by the National Boxing association. The magazine regards the title as ''open" until meeting can be arranged be- tween Montgomery and Zurita.
 The Ring named the following leaders in other divisions. based on their activities during A; heavy weight, Jimmy Bivins; light heavy weight, Lloyd Marshall; middle weight, Holman Williams; wslter- weight, Ray Robinson; feather weight, Willie Pep; bantamweight, Manuel Ortiz: f1yweight. Jackie Paterson of Scotland. Men like Sgts. Joe Louis and Billy Conn. who are in service and unable to compete, were not considered in the ratings.
 Bobby Giles of Buffalo, N Y. was principal in the years goofiest coin cidence. Giles was floored 15 times while losing a 10-round bout to Benny McCombs of Flint. Mich. Later Giles scored Is knockdowns against Bobby Howard of Worcester, Mass, who suffered a technical knockout in the fifth round
 Billy Arnold, Philadelphia middle weight, stretched his knockout string to 29 in 29 pro f1ghts-18 of them this year Officials tossed boxers out of the ring for stalling in g bouts. new record. Jerry McGee. middleweight of Augusta, Ga, was the years busiest gladiator. en- gazing in 37 bouts, Willie Pep, feather king swelled his record to 89 victories in 90 bouts. Biggest upset was Freddie Mills defeat by Jack London for the British heavy weight crown, after Mills had been touted as dangerous opponent for Louis. Vince Hawkins, English mid- dleweight, brought his list of un- beaten fights to 63. comprising 62 victories and one draw