The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-01
CRAzIANO RISE PACED BOOM
 YEAR FOR RING
By JACK CUDDY United Press Sports Writer)

(Umited Press sports WrlterD
 New York, Jan. - (UP) - The rise of Rocky Graziano, heavy punching young New York middle weight, featured boxing during l945 "a boom year for the sport al- though only two title bouts were staged.
 Graziano of the square shoulders and shaggy brown mane blasted out five knockoutS at Madison Square Garden and played to gates totalling $402,000, while champions were emerging from the armed services and conditioning themselves for fu- ture bouts.
 Graziano became the new golden boy" as boxing interest increased robustly throughout the country, stimulated by returning servicemen and by expanding radio broadcasts. New clubs opened in all sections, riding the boom; and Mike Jacobs promoted a record-shattering total of 82 fight shows-4S at the Garden and 39 at smaller St. Nicholas arena.
 Louis and Conn Signed
 Midst all this activity, Graziano's ring exploits were outstanding, al- though naturally none of them commanded the attention accorded the signing of return title bout between Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis and Billy Conn for next June. Graziano, previously regarded as a mediocre mauler, registered a startling upset on March 9 when he knocked out Billy Arnold of Phila- delphia in the third round. Rocky came back from the verge of groggy- land to turn this trick.
 On May 25, the wild-swinging Italian whom some admirers nave tagged "the new Ketchell" - knock ed out Al (Bummy) Davis in the fourth round. This same Davis died a tragic but heroic death on Nov. 2l when killed in Brooklyn tavern holdup while attacking four armed bandits with his bare fists.
 Then came two knockouts for Rocky over Freddie (ReO Cochrane, welterweight champion, in overtime weight matches, June 29 and Aug. 24. Each kayo was achieved in the 10th round. Graziano's last ring ap- pearance was on Sept. 28, when he knocked out Harold Green of Brook 1yn in the third round before 1S,osz fans who paid $l03,970. the years biggest boxing gate anywhere.
 COchrane Gate SlOO,OOO
 This gate bettered the $10l.9lS drawn at the Garden when Tami Mauriello outpointed Lee Oma in their third heavyweight meeting. Grazian3 incidentally, was a prin- cipal in the years third largest take of $l0O,469, attracted by his second bout with Cochrane.
 The Garden had two other gates of more than 9O.000-for the No. { fight in the Ray Robinson-Jake LaMotta series, and for the No. 5 bout in the Johnny Greco-Tony Janiro series. The Chicago Stadium also drew more than $90,0OO for the No. Robinson-LaMotta brawl.
 Gates in all sections generally were better than the brand of conn petition merited, due to the plenti- tude of money in circulation and the increased interest in the sport. Vir- tuaIly nh~ important outdoor shows were staged, but America wound up with the most profitable indoor year in ring history.
 Meanwhile, in Europe, Promoter Jack Solomons blossomed out after the end of hostilities, and began staging bouts in London, Paris and Dublin. Fire. British interest was stimulated greatly by the impress sive manner in which its new em- pire heavyweight champion, Bruce Woodcock, wrested the title from Jack London on a knockout. Be- cause Woodcock is puncher, he is expected to do well against Amer lcan heavies and possibly get shot at the world crown.
 Only two title bouts were staged during the year. Willie Pep. who Is recognized as featherweight king by New York and associated states, defended against Phil Terranova in February; and Ike Williams wrested National Boxing Associations light weight crown from Juan Burita at Mewie0 Eftv in ADril