Evening star., 1952-06-01
Wa|coft Has History
On His Side in Bout
At Philadelphia
BY The Assoeiated Pres.

BY The Assoeiated Press
PHILADELPHIA. May 31.-Ez.
Sard Charles rules a 12-to-5 favor.
lite to upset the tradition of the
prize ring Thursday night by
becoming the first former heavy
weight champion to win back the
title.
In the same Municipal Stadium
ring where Gene Tunney wrested
the crown from ring-rusty Jack
Dempsey before 10000 fans 26
years ago, 38-year -old Jersey Joe
Walcott will defend his title for
the first time.
The record books say Charles,
the 30-year-old ex-champ. must
fail as Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsim-
mons. Jim JeffrieS. Max Schmel-
ing, Joe Louis and Dempsey failed
before him. It's a stern rule Of
the ring that no man ever re-
gained the biggest prize of all.
Despite history and the still
green memory of the crashing
left hook that knocked out Charles
at Pittsburgh last July 18, Charles
remains strong betting choice.
$1,000 Customers Expected.
]. Promoter Herman Taylor, with
participating sponsorship by the
Police Athletic League. expects
about $1,000 people to pay at least
$250.000 to see the fourth chap
ter of the Walcott- Charles "se-
rieS.' The publicity Offices an
nounced a pre- fight sale of $780,
900, with $40 top ticket.
Fight fans across the Nation
get a break on this major bout
for. it will be seen On network
television (NBC) starting at 10
pm. washington time), except
for a 75-mile blackout in the
Philadelphia Camden area. In
event of rain, the show will be
shifted to Friday night with the
same TV setup.
Felix Bocchicchio, Walcott's
manager, expects to lead a delega-
ton of 10000 from the champs
home town, nearby Camden.
Walcott, carefully working him
self into condition after a long
layoff, is confident he can win
again.
There has been deep silence
from Jake Mintz, who with Tom
Tannas co-manages Charles.
Chastened by a $500 fine after his
pre-fight ring rumpus at Pitts
burgh, Mintz has played the silent
man role to perfection.
Charles Heavier Than Ever.
Quiet determination has been
the rule in the Charles camp at
Pleasantville. N. j., where the
Cincinnati Negro goes through his
PAGES. Heavier, stronger and per-
haps bit slower. Charles expects
to- go into the ring at 1872 pounds.
He never has weighed that much.
Last year at Pittsburgh, Ezzard
weighed only 1872. Many thought
he went past his peak during a
strenuous campaign of eight de-
fenses and a driving training
routine. Whatever happened in
the gym. he did little fighting at
Forbes Field.
Discarding his old two-step jig
and walkaway defense, Walcott
whaled into dull Charles with
surprising aggressiveness the last
time they met He was way out
front with five of the first six
rounds on the cards of two officials
when he drove that left hook to
the jaw that flattened Charles
after SIS seconds of the seventh
round.
Jersey Joe Idle Since July.
Since he climaxed his amazing
Cinderella story by winning the
title on the fifth try-two with
Joe Louis and three with Charles
-Walcott has not had a fight.
Touring the Army camps, boys
clubs and small fight clubs to
make appearances and occasional
exhibitions, he declined Septem-
Der rematch and finally signed
for the June S date after much
pickering on terms.
Charles has been more active.
After a three-month vacation he
got back to work by knocking out
tober. He whipped Joey Maxim.
Rex Layne at Pittsburgh in Oc-
the light-heavy king. in IL at San
Francisco and knocked out Joe
Kahut at Portland in December.
His weight lowered between 1873
and 100 for the three post Walcott
scraps.
According to the official pro-
nouncements. each fighter will
get 80 per cent of the gate, TV
and radio haul. Three previous
Charles -Walcott fights, topped by
a $246, ,546 gate at Chicago in 1949
when they fought for Louis va
Gated title. have crossed total
of $498,616.
At his Atlantic City training
camp, Walcott has spared almost
exclusively with lighter men. ap-
parently trying to pick up speed.
He expects to weigh 1874 pounds,
the same as he did in Pittsburgh.
Charles. too. has boxed gingerly
with one light-heavy but has con-
centrated on bulling body attacks
to his sparmates, Al Smith and
Art Henri.