Evening star., 1948-06-23
BY the Associated Press

NEW YORK, June 23.-Given q
break in the weather, bulky, fight
weary Joe Louis will defend his
heavyweight championship against
Jersey Joe Walcott tonight in what
we'll might mark the end of boxing
era
It's this intriguing prospect-the
last ring appearance OF a great
champion or an upset victory by
the old campaigner from South
Jersey-that Is expected to lure a
crowd of $1,000 into Yankee Sta
dium.
The l5-round title bout is sched-
uled to start at 10 o'clock CEDT).
Twentieth Century Sporting Clut
officials anticipate gate of be-
tween 100000 and 100000 with
radio and television receipts making
it a million dollar affair if skies
clear.
If postponement is necessary, the
bout will be staged tomorrow night
Odds Against Walcott Shrink.
Odds favoring Louis dropped to
to II as the result of last-minute
influx of Walcott money, and its
possible they will shrink to l-2 by
ring time.
If you like the champion by a
knockout you must lay 712 to S. If
you figure Walcott can end it be-
fore schedule you can back your
sentiments at 4 to l.
Louis was q l-to-10 choice at
Madison Square Garden last Decem-
Der when Walcott, rising from
flstic mediocrity, belted him to the
canvas twice and almost won in a
spit, widely disputed decision.
That was one of the few inglori-
Gus moments for the Brown Bomber
since he won the crown from James
j. Braddock exactly II years and
one day ago.
1t is one he plans to erase quickly.
he says. in this 25th defense and
final fight.
The two principals. both "a and
old as fighters 60, spent the next
to last day quietly.
Louis. at Pompton Lakes, n. j..
indulged in few exercises, saw a
movie and ate a heavy meal He
said there would be no drying out"
as the last time.
WaIcott Runs Five Miles.
.Walcott took a flve-mile run over
the hills around Grenloch, N. j.,
rested in the afternoon and then
motored to New York. En- route, he
stopped over at his Camden IN. j.
home to visit his wife and six chill
dren, who will not attend the bout.
The challenger retired early last
night at midtown hotel
II the fighters follow the battle
plan outlined in their pre-bout
statements. the affair should be
short and not so sweet.
The champion said he will win it
quick" and added: Il don't think
Walcott will be any different than
Max Schmeling the second time I
met him"
Schmeling, one of nine men Louis
disposed OF with dispatch the second
time around, was first-round kayo
victim on that occasion.
Walcott warned he will 60 after
a knockout from the first bell
This time" he said. I'll leave nc
doubt"
Scribes Three to One for Lewis.
Boxing writer's from all over the
country. here for the fight, lined up
about three to one for Louis and a
majority picked the Bomber by a
knockout.
Walcott's supporters contend the
champion has grown fat and soft
and has lost much of his speed and
ring cunning. They say, too, Jersey
Joe has one advantage over former
Louis victims-he doesn't stand in
awe OF the heavyweight king
Louis hackers point to the
champs imposing record of more
than SO knockouts over a l4-year
professional career and the fact he
has stif1ened 81 of the "a challengers
he's met.
He has held the crown longer
than any other since he took it from
James J. Braddock June %. 1887
and has defended it more often
than any man except possibly old
John l.. Sullivan. whose many in
formal skirmishes escaped official