Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-06-17
Charles Lighter
Than Expected,
Champ Heavier
Weather Prospects
More Encouraging
After Threat of Ruin
BY The Assoeioted Press


NEW YORK, June 17.-Chal-
lenger Ezzard Charles weighed
1852 and Champion Rocky
Marciano 1872 for their IS
round heavyweight title bout
tonight at Yankee Stadium.
This was surprisingly light for
Charles. who had weighed 1917
in Philadelphia when he lost his
fourth title fight to Jersey Joe
Walcott on June S, 1852. His
managers had said he would
weight between 1877 and 100 for
tonight's bout.
Marciano had expected to
come in at 1876, but he had
weighed the same. 1871. when
he knocked out Harry Matthews
July %, 1852. before Rocky won
the title. This is his heaviest
weight as champion.
Ate No Breakfast.
Tom Tannas, co-manager of
Charles, said the ex-champion
didn't eat any breakfast be-
cause he didn't feel like eating.
It's a good weight for him"
Charles was unsmiling as he
stepped on the scales in the
Madison Square Garden ring.
The champion, the favorite at
10 to S. smiled as he shook hands
with various officials.
In his last three bouts Mar
ciano had weighed 1874, 1841a
and 1876.
At the time of the weigh-in
the weather was clear and cool,
with no indication Of any de-
velopments to interfere with the
fight, starting at 1890 pm.
The latest weather forecast
was "fair and continued cool, !"
although an earlier prediction by
the Weather Bureau called for
late evening thunderstorms. The
II am. forecast was that the rain
would hold off until tomorrow
Possible postponement which
would force a weeks delay for
the title fight was uppermost in
peered at the sky during the
morning. A capony had been
placed above the ring to keep
the canvas dry.
Everything All Set.
After months of hard training
the two fighters were ready fol
bookings biggest and most dra.
matte show. A rainstorm and q
delay until next Thursday might
mean losing that razor edge
they've drilled so long for. i
could put a big dent in thu
receipts. too. Postponement'
bring cancellations.
The promoting Internationa
Boxing Club said it will go III
to the ball park this evening
with 100000 in the till. Pro
moter Jim Norris is looking for {
1000 crowd and 100000 at tn
gate with a break in the weather
In addition to the gate re
ceipts, the fighters will shar
(Marciano, 40 per cent: Charles
2O in close to 100000 from tn
coast-to-coast theater-televiSion
$4,000 from the network (ABC
radio broadcast, and a possible
bonanza from the movies if tn
fight is sensational.
There will be no home tele
vision of the undefeated Marci
amos third title defense.
COrbett Also Tried Twice.
While the 32-year-old Charlie
will be seeking to accomplish
what eight former champions
including himself. failed TO d.
the 29-year-old Marciano wi
be facing a less potent heavy
weight jinx. Only five of /
heavyweight champions hav
been abel to get by third de
Tense. This is No. 8 for tn
Brockton .BruiSer.
Like Gentleman Jim Corbet
Ezzy is getting second chanc
to make ring history. Corbet
was knocked out twice by hulk
ing Jim Jeffries in attempts t
regain the title, the first time i
1900. Charles was outpointed b
Jersey Joe Walcott in Philade.
phia on June S, 1852, in his mr.
Continued on Page C-3. Col. !