The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-11-02
Walker Wins State MddIeuUeight CrO1On By T.K.O.
Fight Rated Best Ever
 By Big Crowd


 Many a year has passed since two Connecticut boys boxed for state championship, until last night when Billy Walker, Q forfher submarine sailor now nving in Saybrook, con- necticut and dead game, hard-hit- ing Art Tatta of New Haven put on a fight that will be recalled for years to come when local ringebat- ties are discussed.
 walker won the state i0O pound title, when he stopped Tatta in the sixth round of as great a fight as veteran ringsiders could remem- ber A little more speed and boxing ability, a fine left hook, body punch ing skill and perfect physical condi- ton allowed Walker to win the championship and the Larry St. Louis belt that went with it; after the new champ had taken one of the hardest punches any middle weight ever landed, the very first one of the bout before it was 30 seconds old; Tatta coming out of his corner to ring center, sQuaring off and letting fly, mailing Walker flush" on the jaw. To the amaze ment of ringsiders, the blow, hard and solid as it was, did not even knock the. ex-saii0r down, though lt staggered his momentarily.
 One Pound
 The eventual winner, scaling l5s pounds against l58 for Tatta lost no time. slugging it out from the very first bell. After taking Tatta's best punch to the jaw, In the first round; Walker fought bcak using left hook to the body, and spilled the New Haven lad, though he was up again before the count could De started.
 Tatta bounced back lige a worlds champion in the second rouna, scored repeatedly with a jolting lett iah and some right-handers that had Walker wobbly from hits to the hear: the west coast boy suffering n light eyebrow cut toward the eno of the round. Tatta kept his leaa m the third round, but only halt way. Walker rallying in a manner that increased the blood pressure of every eyewitness in the place
 The tide turned very muen m Walkers favor in the fourth round in which Tatta was hit four or f1ve hard punches after the bell as Art lay on the ropes relaxed, haVine heard the bell, and figuring that Walker would not continue to punch. Referee Billy Taylor was on the far side of the ring when the round ended, apparently not hearing the bell before Tatta was llit several times as he lay on the ropes. Body punches ny Walker had taken their toll of Tatta from the third round on. though the Elm City lad would rally miraculously just gs he seemed about to go down, asV had gone down in the fourtS from body blows, just tingssS@nis feet at the "8" count. In tlsat round, Walker, seeing he had Tatta badly beaten, tried to get the referee to stop the bout, but 1t went two rounds more as Tatta would score now and then with a solid punch or two that brought his many New Haven fans to their feet. The cut over Walkers eve was opened again, but Billy was the boss after the fourth round.
 Walker just boxed in the fifth, but came out slugging in the sixth, weakening Tatta immediately with body punches. Tatta fell backward into the ropes as the referee decided Tatta had no chance to win, so stop- ped the bout to save Tatta from un- necessary further punishment.
 Nice Speech
 Walker was presented with the Larry St Louis championship belt of red white and blue silk with square gold buckle. It was tied on him before he left the ring. As he asked to say something over the PA system, he said: T fought one of the ganest boys l ever saw, It's too bad that there are not duplicate awards to take care of Art. However, the donor, Larry St. Louis, plans to uO oOlAACblAlAAS abONAI to his statement after the fight, one of the greatest of local history.
 Prelims
 Ernie Griffin, l72, Hartford won on technical Knockout in the sixth round over Tony Gillo, ITO, New Haven, when Gillo Suffered a cut lip and Commission Physician D. James E. Slavin, ordered the bout halted
 Enos Tebo, l26. Hartford. deciS- toned Young Butler, Bronx, N. Y" in six rounds.
 George Slater, l68, New Haven, decisioned Howard Johnson, 166, of Bridgeport, in six reunds.
 Joe DiMaria. 138. Waterbury, and Billy Walsh, l36. Bridgeport, drew