The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-16
COCHRANE, ORTIZ AND WILLIAMS MUST DEFEND
BY JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer

Paterson, N, J,S OCJs AV-NC6yI Commenting upon the return of champions from service to the ring, president Abe J. Greene of the Na- tional Boxing Association predicted today that the revival of title com petition would elevate boxing from a purely cash register racket" to it's pre-war status as a genuine sport.
 Greene made this prediction while releasing the N. B. As first post war ratings of leather tossers.
 He said boxing during the war period had been generally a process of matching and mismatching only by the register of the greatest box office draw" This enabled mediocre talent to play to fantastic houses while champions anG leading con- tenders were in service. There was no sporting reason for most of these bouts, he stressed, except to keep boxing going"
 But it'll be 8 different story now. he promised. With the champs back in civ-.ies, competition for titles should provide sporting activity re- sulting in the displacement of pre- tenders by deserving contenders."
 He announced that all champions have been notified they must de- dend their titles against proper con- tenders, after a proper condition ing period" Champions who are eri- titled to the full period of respite, because they just got out of service, include: Heavyweight Joe Louis, light heavyweight Gus Lesnevich, and middleweight Tony zale.
 Three champions have been order ed to defend: welterweight Freddie Cochrane, lightweight Ike Williams, and bantamweight Manuel Ortiz. Greene recalled that the NBA had begun freezing the championships of men in service at the beginning of the war, meanwhile protecting contenders by continuing to list contenders' names in the ratings, even though 1t appeared some or the boys were washed-up.
 We did this" he said, because the boys were risking their lives Tor their country and were entitled to | the right to be remembered pack home for the good standings they had attained while they were active in the ring" Most of these con- tenders already have announced their return to the ring. he said, and now are bidding for title shots.
 Only notable change in the MEAS quarterly ratings was the elevation of Rocky Graziano. young New York middleweight, to a logical con- tenders spot. However, Greene predicted "a marked readjustment" of the ratings in the next quarter. Here are the National Boxing As- sociations' quarterly ratings: Heavyweight (Champion) Joe Louis. Illogical contender) Billy Conn. (Outstand- ing boxers) Jimmy Bivins, Tami Mauriello, Melio Bettina. (Honor- able mention) Lee Oma, Joe aBSki, Elmer Ray. Jersey Joe Walcott. Freddie Schott, Bruce Woodcock Johnny Flynn, Arturo Godoy, Yam cey Henry, Joe Maxim, Johnny Haynes.
 Light Heivyweight (Champion) Gus LeSnevich. Gogi- cal contenders) Archie Moore. Freddie Mills. Outstanding boxers) Lloyd Marshall. Anton Christofort- dis. Billy Fox. Honorable mention) F4tzy Fitzpatrick, Walter Woods, Ezzard Charles.
 MiddIeweight
 (Champion) Tony zale. Gogi- cal contenders) Jake Lamotta, George Abrams, Rocky Graziano. Holman Williams. Outstanding boxers) Charlie Burley, Jimmy Ed- gar, Jock McAvoy. (Honorahle men, tion) Marcel Gerdan, Joe Basora. Tony Martin, Reuben Shanks, Ossie Harris. Bee-Bee Washington, Steve Belloise, Kenny Watkins, George Henry.
 (Champion) Freddie Red" Co., chrane. Logical contends) Ray Sugar" Robinson. Outstanding boxers) Tipp Larkin. Jimmy Doyle. Honorable mention) Ernie Roder- ick, Tony Janiro, Johnny Greco, Marty Servo. Tommy Bell, Sammy Angott. Joe Curcio Freddie Archer, Harold Green. Nick Moran, Jimmy McDaniels, Billy Arnold, Cecil Hud- son.
 Lightweight
 (Champion) Ike Williams. Nogi- cal contenders) Beau Jack. Bob Montgomery. Willie Joyce. (Out- standing boxers) John Thomas, Bobby Ruffln. Honorable mention) Bonnie James. Enrique Bolanos, Freddie Dawson, Bernard DocuSen, Allie Stolz, Bobby Yaeger Featherwelght (Champion) Sal Bartola. Oegi- cal contenders) Willie Pep. (Out- standing boxers) Chalky Wright, Carlos Chavez. Phil Terranova. Jackie Graves. (Honorable mentton) Freddie Russo, Danny Webb, Chico Rosa, Mel Harleton. Bantamweight (Champion) Manuel Ortiz. Oogi- contenders) Tony Olivera, Bennie Goldberg, Luis Castillo. (Outstand- ing boxers) Kui Kong Young, Sam my Reynolds, Norman Lewis. (Hon- orable mention) Simon Vergara, Kid Zephine.
 (Champlon> Jackie Patterson. | Illogical contenders) Joe Curran, Dado Marino, Terry Allen. (Out- standing Boxers) Ronnie Clayton, Alex Murphy, George Parks (Hon- orable rnention) Tommy Burney, Bunty Doran.