Evening star., 1944-12-12
Parks Gains in Losinq
To Bettina, Ignoring
Technical Error
BY BOB MCLEAN.

Ring drama la Hollywood popped
up in the sixth round of last nights
heavyweight brawl between Melio
Bettina and George Parks at Uline
Arena, and the fans will be a long
time forgetting an incident that
was handled brilliantly by Referee
Eddie La Fond.
If the strictest rules of boxing had
been followed, the fight could have
ended unsatisfactory in that sixth
heat with Bettina disqualified. In
stead, thanks to the judgment of
La Fond and the sportsmanlike con-
duct of Parks seconds, the battle
went the full 10 rounds with Bet
tina punching out a close but unan-
lmous decision in one of the best
heavyweight shows of the year.
1t happened so quickly that only
ringsiders saw what was going on
In the closing minutes of the sixth
in the midst of a wild furry OF
punches and the roar of the crowd
Jimmy Grippe, Bettina's manager
thought he heard the bell anC
bounded into the ring, running to-
ward his fighter to bring him back
to his corner. La Fond, however
quickly chased him through thu
ropes, and moment later the bel
actually rang, 1t was all over in II
seconds.
Pass Up Disqualification Claim.
At that time Parks had beer
knocked down once for a nine coun
in the second roundabout hi
eyes were cut, and Bettina had tn,
edge in the point-making. Parks
handlers could have hauled out tn
rule book and demanded that Bet
tina be disqualified on the ground
Of interference. Instead. they chos
to let the fight continue to give al
appreciative crowd four more round
of flrst-class fighting.
From Parks standpoint, also, thei
decision turned out to be wise one
because the young colored slugge
came back to win the seventh ant
ninth rounds by a clear margin ant
demonstrate that he soon may be
serious contender. La Fond. VIII,
didn't use his prerogative as refere,
to halt the action on a technicality
handled the fight we'll the remainde
OF the distance, tough job will
heayies who travel as fast as welter
weights.
| The fight was a lot closer thai
the unanimous verdict of Judge
Bob Eller. DR.. J. A. Trigg and Ii
Fond would indicate. Parks, VIII
experienced some difficulty with tn
unorthodox southpaw style of Bet
tina, whose counterpunching wa
excellent, nevertheless managed t.
connect with a solid right-han
smash in the ninth round that Nell
admits rocked him plenty. A K(
was in prospect during every mo
ment Of the action, and either bat
tier might have scored it. Bettin
was on the canvas but once, in tn
second. and that was more a case O
tripping than being knocked dowr
anu iiC 1Ci uoCu W SdhC a Coulll. II
Beacon IN. " Buster also suffere,
a cut right eye that was patched b.
skillful surgery in the corner.
Bettina Heavy in Legs.
Bettina, weighing 1874 to Parks
1874, appears a bit fat and slight
heavy in the legs, but the exces
poundage doesn't seem to hav
slowed him up greatly.
Three of the prelims ended in tn
first round, with Joe Green, 18t
Washington, scoring a TKO at tn
49-second mark over another locs
boy, Ernie Pope, l81, in the curtai
raiser. Smuggy Hursey. lat, KO'
Ralph Snead, ISL. at l:38 in anothe
all-local bout, and Pete Virgin, IL!
Bronx youngster who looks lik
Jimmy Cagney of the movies, TKO'
Willie Alexander, 1873, Chester, Pa
at 2:5l.
In a six-round semiwindup mum
Der. Foots Jackson, 153, Atlanta. Ga
and Lee Datts, l59, Philadelphia
| battled to a draw.
A slim crowd OF 1853 braved tn
rainstorm to pay a gross of s4,37S.7t
a net Of $3,12270.