Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-09-14
williams Township School Principal
is One Of Rocky Murciuno' s Bique St Fans
BY Al. HARRISON

BY AL HARRISON
Il A seven year old William,
Township youngster with an in.
fictitious grin has n special reason
for cherishing a pair of boxin,
gloves and trunks.
They were given to him las
year by Rocky Marciano who i,
one of his dads best friends.
Michael Colombo, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Vince Colombo, WASH
very laxative but he displayed
with pride the gift from "the
champ.
! The friendship between Co
Ilombo and Marciano was SOLE
long ago. They were grammar
and high school buddies il
Brockton, Mass.
Their close relationship make.
Colombo one of Rocky's most ar.
dent fans. He'll have his finger!
crossed when Rocky climbs int
the ring Tuesday night to de
fend his title against Archi,
Moore.
Colombo, principal of William.
Township School, says that Rock,
is unquestionably a fine pedson
Hes always been one of those
who fell into the category of be
ing good boy" said Colombo
as he reminisced about the days
when the two of them were il
school.
Rocky's climb to the champion,
ship and inevitable fame wasn't
4 lifelong ambition. Actually, hs
wanted to be n baseball player
and could hit one q mile. He
gave up baseball after injurinp
his knuckles in amateur boxing
"He could still hit the ball fol
a long distance but his throwing
wasn't good enough to make the
grade Colombo remarked
Rocky gave up baseball at Fay
etteville where he had reported
for training.
Thus, he terminated his con.
tract with the Chicago Cubs ano
turned to boxing.
1T was at the insistence Of
my cousin Al Colombo, that
Rocky turned pro in the fight
business" said Colombo. His Pre-
career began after he lost If
the finals of the Golden Glove
tourney around l94S.
The cousin is one of Rocky
trainers today and is with hin
at all times.
Since hitting the fight :oI
pay" circuit, Rocky has never
lost a bout. His deadly puncf
punch is one Of the most talked
about in the business. His ability
to take punishment is the thing
that seems to amaze all veteran
fighters.
Rocky stays in semi-trainins
staff. Rev. Goldfinch says they
also have the best surgeon If
Paraguay. a cardiac specials,
vino was recently sent there.
Two other members of the
taft arc World War Ii bomber
JilotS who have administrative
positions with the missionary
staff. All this group Is appoint
d and supported by the South
orn Baptist convention
Foreign Aid Help
Foreign aid that Paraguay ha:
received under the Point-Foul
program has been OF tremend-
Gus help. Missions have beer
sent TO Paraguay in foreign aic
and the country itself nigh
we'll have ceased to be without
this aid. says Goldfinch.
Much of this aid has been pu
70 good use in education, medi.
cine and agriculture. The people
themselves are Indifferent to,
ward government and foreign
aid but the political parties de
tend TO make a political football
out of foreign aid.
AS for Rev. Goldfinch's per.
sonal life, ne now is spending {
years leave in Columbia. S. c
Two Of his six children are ir
school in Ashevillc. He and Mrs
Goldfinch, the former France.
Meow of Columbia. and tn,
rest of the family plan to return
TO Paraguay next year.
"Ycs, I'm going back next yea
TO continue the work" Rev
Goldfinch says. Il want to spent
more time in the rural area
land extend our program all
can"
He is truly a man with a pur
pose, dedicated to a task as few
linen Of modern times have beer
50 dedicated.