The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-08
Sport Parade

Is working back Into condition after three and half years in the Navy.
 Acceptance of Robinson as Fred- dies first title opponent was un- expected. Boxing men had taken 1t for granted that Cochrane would avoid the dangerous New York Negro as long as possible. They ex- pectcd that Red, who entered serv- ice a few days after winning the l47-pound title from Fritzie zivic in July, l94i, would try to cash in on the crown now in a series ot bouts with mediocre opponents be- fore risking 1t against HarlemS dancing dynamiter.
 And Cochrane c-o-u-l-d cash in. He is receiving offers from all sec tions. He is the only undisputed world champion in c.vvies today. He is king of the welter division the rich division that is damned with more civilian talent than any other class. He has an excellent war record. He went in before Pearl Harbor and received his honorable discharge two months ago. His na- val activities included action in the South Pacific. The red-headed vet- eran from Hillside, N. J., is "hig box office" now.
 Why then is he accepting Rob- inson title tilt?
 Gilzenberg explained: Tn the first place, Freddie promised his buddics in the Navy that he would be fighting champion when he got out. He's got a whole flock of bud- dies, because as a specialist, grade "A, he instructed more than 200,- 900 boys in boxing during his long hitch. That was in addition to ather ] duties.
 Tn the second place, we have re- celved a large offer to defend against Robinson. A Chicago syndi- cate, headed by Promoter Jack Kearns, has guaranteed Freddie $l00, 900, with the privileged of tak- ing 45 per cent of the net gate. They expect the bout to draw at least $250,000. Robinson is being guaranteed 25,000, with no strings attached. Robinson doesn't have to agree to n return title bout If he beats Freddie. Cochrane and I do not believe in those return-bout contracts. They are the ruination of boxing. Robinson's representative, George Gainsford, accepted the match yesterday
 The welter champ may have one or two non-title engagements with lesser opposition before the Chicago bout. They would sharpen him for his defense. During Freddie's Navy hitch he had four non-title bouts with Garvcy Young, Bobby Britton, Lew Jenkins and Fritzic Zivic. He beat Britton and Jenkins. Young won disputed decision, and Zivic beat Freddie decisively after the poorly trained champ ran out of gas."
 That Zivic scrap at Madison Square Garden on September TO- 1942, was Cochrane'S last ring ap- pearance. He came out of the Navy two months ago weighing l52 pounds; but three weks of roughing 1t here at Bey's Camp have pared him down to the l47-pound limit He will train for at least another month before tackling even non- title opponent.
 This long siege of training will be nothing new for the Red Head. He trained four and half months foi his title fight with Zivic in lo4l Five postponements caused the Ions conditioning campaign. He entered the Newark ring that July night sharp as a razor and turned in one Of the biggest upsets In welter. weight history. He is confident that his busy left hook will provide an- other upset against Robinson al Chicago in June - although he'll be 30 years old then.