The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1953-04-18
Key To Success: Take
Care OF Yourself
By lauren White

There is much about Jersey Joe
Walcott that deserves our admi-
ration and respect. He knows how
to take care of himself.
Born with superior physical
stamina, he has lived in such a
way as to preserve himself. Wal
colt is at least 40 years old. Most
athletes retire from stiff compe7
tition long before they reach that
age. There is no record of any
man fighting for the worlds
heavyweight championship at
such an age. Many times those
with great physical strength,
abuse themselves so much in
their youth that they are physi-
cal wrecks long before they reach
40. =. Ajmni
This is not the case with Wal
colt. He has taken care of him
self physically so well that he is
still contender for the worlds
greatest athletic honor. He de-
serves respect for his clean living
and Self-preServation. He has
been a source of inspiration to
many. Millions Of boys will be
encouraged to live clean. lives so
they will be able to emulate him.
Many other individuals who may
have been inclined to think that |
all people of Walcott's hue are
undeserving and worthless, have
to change their minds when they
consider the life of this unusual
person.
However, there is another in
teresting phase of Walcott's life.
He has proven he can take care
of himself out of the ring also. On
the New Jersey Turnpike, not too
far from his home, Walcott and
his manager are constructing
5O-unit motel and filling station.
This project is costing around
100000 and will net Jersey Joe
about $3.50 a week when it be-
gins operating. So, regardless of
the outcome Of any fight, he will
be able to live comfortably for
the rest of his life.
One of the tragedies that has
befallen many prize fighters is
that they have been broke when
their fighting days came to an
end. For a man to make a for
tune in his youth, squander it,
and be left virtually penniless In
his mature years, reflects on his
judgement. If the MN belongs to
a group that is struggling to gain
first-class citizenship, it is even
worse. Those who would deny us
full intergration into American
life can cite such examples of
carelessness and improvidence
and say 'they are not ready"
Jack johnson made a fortune
in the ring, but wound up work.
ing in a flea circus for a pittance.
Sam Langford was an object of
charity for years. Beau Jack
drew over 100000 in gates at
Madison Square Garden. The
last / heard of him, he was shin
ing shoes in Georgia.
Men of that ilk contribute very
little toward the elevation of the
race. In fact, they degrade. They
have a spotlight turned on their
stupidity. That is all the bigotS
want in order to claim some JUS
LITIGATION for allowing Negroes to
be exploited. There have been
outstanding examples of fighters
knowing how to take care of
themselves outside of the ring as
well as in it. Harry Wills is one.
He has large real estate holdings
in New York. There never has
been benefit performance for
him.
OF course. the most outstand-
ing example of a prize fighter
taking care of himself outside the
ring as well as in it, is Sugar Ray
Robinson. What Walcott hopes to
earn from his venture, Robinson
has been earning for years. Be-
sides owning some high income-
producing real estate, Robinson
owns some very lucrative BUSH
neSSeS.
Individuals like Ray Robinson,
Harry Wills and Joe Walcott add
to the stature of the Negro race.
They know how to take care Of
themselves and the only people