The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-02-18
Sports Roundup
BY GAYLE TALBOT

va WHAT was gong 10 happen 10
poor Chuck Davey the other night.
Normally we like it as well as
the next. but this is different. We
tighten up and can't seem to think
OF anything to say when these TV
fans shake their heads in honest
admiration and remark that, boy,
you sure had it right what Gavilan
would do to him.
There is a feeling of getting
something under false pretenses.
You don't give a man a marks
mans medal for shooting fish in
barrel, which is what it amount
ed to. Anyone who had ever seen
Gavilan fight closeup against fell
lows like Sugar Ray Robinson
knew he was the biggest cinch
since Dewey at Manila.
ALI Of them said so, too. It was
spread out on the sports pages for
all to read It said right there that
this campus hero lad no business
in the same ring with a tiger like
Gavilan,. that he might get serious
~ hurt,
The picture tube experts must
have read some of this, and yet the
evidence Is that il didn't change
their way Of thinking by even a
little BIT. They remained steadfast
and secure in the secret knowledge
that their champion Of the air
waves could whip any man born
Of woman.
A couple of them watched the
massacre on our set, and they
died slowly and hard. It could be
that no fighter who ever lived had
as great q following, was as genu-
inely admired, as the pale boy
from Michigan State was when he
was shufhed out 70 meet his fate.
Il was q phenomenon we prob
ably never viii witness again. II
was Q great emotional binge that
win not be repeated. Davey just
happened to come along with the
coaxial cable, at the time when a
pair Of name fighters such as Ike
Williams and Rocky Graziano were
ripe to be taken. The same set Of
circumstances cannot occursagain.
No great damage has been done
b anybody, fortunately. Gavilan.
knowing for sure. from the third
round On that he had a soft touch,
took It extremely. easy from there
until the ninth, when he finally
decided to end the unequal con-
test. II was not the Cuban's fault
that Davey proved, at least, to
have his share Of courage and kept
getting up.
The boy from Michigan had him
self . wonderful payday, better
than so, 900. and that should 60 a
long way toward salving his
wounds, Chances are that he'll
never see that kind of money
again, though there is no reason
why Ne cannot 60 on and make a
more than adequate living out of
fighting for a number of years.
In his own. class, he is good. We
imagine the television sponsors
viii welcome him back with open
arms the next time he appears.
The present plan is for Davey to
meet the winner of the March IS
bout here between Chico Vejar
and Vince Martinez. This might
fan through If vejar wins, because
Davey already has clobbered the
New York University student twice
and has no need of permanent
possession.
Gavilan is talking about declar-
ing himself in on the scramble for
Sugar Robinson's vacated middle
weight title, but It is doubtful any
thing win come Of il. The Hawk is
at his peak at the welter limit of
1z7 pounds, and there is no reason
for him. to wear himself out against
the 1eo.pounders when he can
make al the money he win ever
need whipping men in his own
class.
The great Cuban fighter can
never hope to get himself another
Davey, though. A windfall such as
that comes only once in a lifetime.
NEW YORK R--BasebaIl men
say that Hank Greenberg, cleve-
lands general manager, has been
gun-shy Of trades since he made
the unhappy deal Of two seasons
ago which let 0restes Minoso, the
Cuban flash. get away TO the Chi
eagc White Sox.
II was the acquisition Of Minoso
which, probably more than any
ether one factor, sent the Sox
charging mp from American League
depths into . position Of contention
for the nag. Manager Paul Rich
ards built bis go-go team around
die speedy Negro.
The beating Hank took On that
enc has left him permanently
Scared" Q rival league official
told az the other day. Hes afraid
10 even talk trade nowadays. He
knaxs IN needs helm hut he INST