Evening star., 1953-05-14

tory . With the odds 10 against him, Braddock de-
throned Baer, who being caled-for a time back in
1935-the best rght-hand puncher of all time
Felix Bocchicchio Wacotts angel. Back in Camden
he staked and his wife and six kids Christmas dinner
and then persuaded Waco return to boxing The rest of
the story is familiar to most people Bocchicchio got Wacott
four shots at the title and each time Joe lost ture to
Louis and twice Ezzard Charles Then he finally beat
Charles to win the defended against the
and lost it to Marciano last September %.
WIN OR LOSE TOMORROW, there never has been fstic
quite like WalcottS Nobody else challenged five
times for the championship and defended 1t twice Yet here
is Joe appearing ttuar principal for the eighth time
durable Braddock, but Walcott tops him.
Braddock merely aging and shopworn whereas Pappy
Joe Mehuselah He's been at the business for %
and nobody title late in life CT by Joes COUNT
Only Ftzsimmons tried regain when older 4O
than Joes ripe 80 (also Walcotts COUNT
And if Joe does happen regain it tomorrow, he really
will be in class all by himself No ex-heavyweght champ
has back his title and excellent gadtor have
failed including Dempsey, Jeffries and few Others
Another thing about Braddock and Walcott: Neither
has been favore in championship contest and the
beors taking that Old isn't marred
BY ring time it's predicted that Marciano will be at least
3-to-1 favorite, or better.
THE FIRST TIME WALCOTT fought Louis-this
cember 5, 1947Louis 10to1 favore In the return
fight the next year. although lot of people thought Wacott
had been deprived of we-deserved decision Louis was
13-to-5 favorite.
-walcott was 3-to-2 underdog against his
first fight for National Boxing Association recognition and
Stool shortender in the second ous He to when he
finally knocked the title in Pittsburgh in 1851
but this deemed accidental that when they met again
Joe 2to1 underdog Came next the Marciano battle
of last September and Walco the rtender at
Braddock would know although not WELL how it feels
to be perennial underdog He 10 to against Baer but
after Jim unSeated the glamour boy with the big punch the
best that Louis followers could get to with Braddock
the outsider of course. <s# ~ ~
pursue Walcott parallel consider this if
you please Braddock found Chicago unlucky Jake
LaMoa instance, couldn't Detroit years
it his lucky town. But Braddock got knocked kicking
in the eighth round by Louis in his first defense of the title
and Waco his last incredible legs is making his
final pitch in the same city, Chicago.
FOR BRIEF MINUTES yesterday, snow fell and Bocchic-
chic huddled under topcoat indoors at the Midwest Hotel
where the Walco AC quartered It's West Side hoSey
complete with gym for boxers, and Felix saying:
"Weve got to be winner else it's with Joe II
he doesn't win I'll retire him. If he won't retire. won't
manage him. In fact, won't manage another fighter
long as live
Somebody with memory said "You said the thing
last September 23 The next morning you and Wacott
back in business"
Bocchicchio who might resemble Golfer Ben Hogan ap
pearance Ben took six puts green nodded
ily Maybe underestimated my boy" he admitted.
"Boy?" cried. "Walcott may claim he's only &c.
but lot of people think he could be closer to As -"
"Oh that" Bocchicchio sighed. The guys real is
Arnold Cream snoopers looked up the
at Camden. They Joe Cream, age A
thing. They got confused; he's Joes-I Arnolds-
older brother.
Besides" Felix added quesoningly whats age got
do with it? There's fellow pitching the Browns
Satchen Paige-who admits he's 3d. I'll bet you get
waivers him. :"