Evening star., 1952-09-21

or radio. The only people to see
the show, except those who pay
from 81 to S. at the stadium,
will be the fans at so theaters in
81 cities on the coaSt-to-coast
theater> TV network. This prob
ably will add at least $125,0O0 to
the gate.
In Washington. the fight will
be shown at the Warner, RKO
Keith's and Lincoln Theaters,
with the price $3.50 at all
houSes.D
At %, Marciano has 10 years
of youth going for him against
the proud champ who insists "a
man is only as old as he feels. "
Youth, stamina and the punch of
the Brockton CMass.) boys fists
make him an 8-5 favorite.
First in So Years.
Not since 1899, when unbeaten
Jim Jeffries knocked the title off
Bob Fitzsimmons' head, has man
come up to a heavyweight title
shot without losing a fight. Now
comes Marciano with AZ straight
victories since he started boxing
in 1948, and 81 of them by knock
outs.
When Jersey Joe was fighting
his first of IS pro fights with
Cowboy Wallace at Vineland. N.
j.. way back in 1880, Marciano
was a six-year-old kid In kinder
garten. When Walcott fought his
famous controversial first fight
with Louis in 1947. Rocky still was
a Golden Glover.
!. Marciano's rise has been spec
Itacular. The rugged shoemaker's
son hit the big time" when he
knocked out Rex Layne, Walcott's s
conqueror. in the summer of 1851
Then came his knockout of Louis,
convincing the Bomber to hang
up his gloves for keeps. After
a sloppy performance against Lee
Savold, Marciano earned his title
shot by knocking out Harry Kid)
Matthews in the second round
July %. at Yankee Stadium.
Close Call in Lone Defense.
Walcott tried four times before
he finally grabbed the brass ring
for the heavyweight crown-twice
with Louis and twice with Ezzard
Charles before he knocked out
Charles-with a left hook on the
chops at Pittsburgh, July 18, 1851.
He has defended once, winning a
close decision over Charles at
Philadelphia last June.
Many of the sports writer's who
watched Walcott's last defense
thought he had lost on points,
But none was disposed to argue
the fact. The consensus was that
Charles could have won decisively
If he had been more daring and
applied pressure to the fast-tiring
Walcott in the last four rounds.
Walcott, remarkably pre-
served athlete. has been knocking
out sparring partners. as easily as
Swatting flies, at his Atlantic
City camp. AS usual, Trainer Dan
Florio and Manager Felix Boo
chicchio have been putting the
emphasis on Walcott's legs. The
champ has been faithful in his
roadwork He still seems to have
much of the old bounce left.
To confuse onlookerS, Walcott
has varied his styles from straight
up boxing to slugging and his old
two-step walkaway shuttle and
sneak punch. Because he can still
punch with both hands and may
have trouble going Is rounds
against a rugged young fellow,
many expect Jersey Joe to come
out slugging. looking for a quick
ending.
| No Secrets at Grossinger.
Up at Grossinger, N. Y, Mar
Iciano has been bombing to the
body out of his crouching style.
Moving to the attack with his
short. sturdy arms while sparring
partners punches rattle off his
body. he has given everybody
: Walcott included geod idea OF
Iwhat to expect.
| AS champion, Walcott com.
Imands 40 per cent OF the gate
Marciano, now actively managed
lby AL WE'LL, retired IBC match
maker, will get 20 per cent. II
should be the biggest payday ir
the careers Of both men, although
Walcott was. in for good chunk
) of the 100000 gate for his secone
: fight with Louis.
George Jones. chairman of thu
Pennsylvania Athletic Commits.
sion. will announce the referet
/ and two judges at ringside. HI
has indicated that officials viii
n be selected from the entire State
not just the Philadelphia section
II. There was wide criticism Of tn,
o work of Referee Zack Clayton o
t Philadelphia in the last Walcott'
-lCharles bout.
=. The commission also will super
'ivise the weigh-in at the Philadel
olphia arena Tuesday. Walcott ex
'-tpects to weigh about 1876 as h
! Ibid for Charles In June. Marcian'
,zlwill be about 10 pounds lighter
.lIand lHIyears younger.