Evening star., 1955-09-21
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ., FRANCIS sr4pu
From Edna to lone

NEW YORK Sept. 21.-For the first time in history a
title fight had been postponed before the traditional
weiph-in and the mob of Broadway was speculang to
which tiger would be affected by the 24-hour lay
over-Rocky Marciano the champion, or Archie Moore
the challenger.
aTd saw It will hurt Moore" said Tom Tannas. "The
older fighter becomes the he is likely to be upset
by delay This is because gets keyed to perform at
acettan time and when the schedule is changed ne hnd
1t hard to adjust himself, physically and mentally"
Tannas should know whereof he speaks He is CO.
manager Charles the former champion who at
"a than trial horse these days But year ago
Charles attempting to regain his was very much In
the heavyweight picture and he like Moore with his Ione
sweating out hurricane prior to meeting Marcano
"sEzzard,s hurricane was Edna rememher?" Tannas
prompted "The fight scheduled for September II and
finally of September co. 1t wasn't anything Ez SAID
that indicated upset by the delay but you were
close you could ten he nervous and losing his
nne edge
NOW THE MOB BEGAN drifting to Madison Square
Garden for the .weiging-n cerernany in the hot sitting
lobby Fifteen fashionable minutes late the principals
appeared the raised platform first Moore who wore
scowl, and then Rocky.
Archie managed few smiles for the photographers and
newsreel cameramen but manly he looked grim. When
Boxing Commissioner julius Hefand motioned Marcano
the scales the challenger stood by and there were by
ISLANDERS who commented that Moores legs acted nervous
even II his face seemed composed
For two men whose weights differed by a mere four
ounces they presented odd physical contrast Rocky
looked bleached he hadn't been outdoors for long
tlme anu IfOm Tie legs up Ile 1ouheu
heavy champ than Moore His chest was not as deep and
his arms smaller and shorter than Arches
Don't let that torso fool you,' said man who was
referring Don't forget those muscles are SO years
old, at least. And it amt all muscle, anyway"
****
STANDING THERE IN the lobby, with the hot glare
Of the lights adding to the discomfort you thought
year ago. Tannas had done earlier and that
Marciano and Charles who were being weighed
present. too but he was fully clothed in black
cowboy outfit like Hopaong Cassidys and he had to fight
o aIyorf0T
was interference for him. as yesterday nor
did many people think that dozen months later he would
be the heavyweight contender.
year ago. true, Moore was the 175-pound ruler but
by and large he regarded eakyroof fighter who
shortly get off the floor to successfully defend
his title against Johnson whose sk dubious
with his high-heeled boots 0galon hat, mustache and
goatee, Moore wasn't taken too seriously.
But that before Rocky put away Charles In the
eighth round and opponents That was before
Moore Charley Johnston and Jack Kearns saw an open
ing launched 1855 campaign that consisted OF beating
22O- pound Nino Valde and knocking out Mddeweignt
Champion at ITS pounds before demand that
the old gafer get his chance was created.
NOW 1T WAS CHARLES who mingled in the crowd
more or unnoced Charles and Vades and Bob Sater
field and Coey wallace and Hurricane Jackson whose stars
apparently have set or who do not seem to fit the specnca
tions of future chalengerS.
"But don't get against any of 'em" Tannas saying
on the walk back from the Garden to the Broadway
of the mob Those heavyweghts fool you It
taxes lou OF money 10 ceu eua ooinoeASS
hopeless Then all Of sudden, bne win pop up and make
payday
take Jim Braddock, who off the docks after
giving up hope He got to be champion Look at Joe Waco
who relief before he hit the jackpot Take my own
fighter Charles who got title shots than any heavy
weight in history. Against Louis Walcott Marciano
year from now those fighters you in the lobby
today may be getting the full treatment"
Could be- After 10 years In the ring Archie Moore win
or tonight makes his big payday, perhaps $2OOOOO
Even after that ought to buy lot Of cowboy suits