Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1955-09-14

all the time" Colombo remark
ed as he told of his visit wit
him during the summer of 1854
I He keeps his timing and re
flexes sharp by playing pin,
pong, SWITCHBOARD and smash.
. Colombo, who had his days a
star athlete at Atlantic Chris.
tian College, proved his reflexe
were still keen when he whip.
. ped Rocky at all three, ping
pong. shuffleboard and smas'
during his visit with Rocky in
1854.
/ Although they are the best of
friends and Colombo is one O.
his most loyal supporter. he has
never seen Rocky fight in the
pro ranks.
I'VE used to fight each other
when l was in the third grade
and Rocky was in the first. His
uncle furnished show money for
US but insisted that we first spar
few rounds. We would put on
the gloves and spar just enough
to earn the dimes then quit"
He says he has messed with
Rocky in a fight since that time.
II was a statement that needed
no explanation.
One of the biggest reasons
Rocky is heavyweight champ to-
day. accordin gto Colombo, is
due to his determination and able
ness as pupil.
Rocky has always listened to
anything anyone told him il he
thought they knew what they
were talking about"
A typical example is the ad-
vice Colombo gave him soon af-
ter he was being touted for the
championship.
Il told him that il looked as
il he was destined to make some
good money in boxing and stress
ed the fact that very few fight
ers had managed to hold to
theirs. First, buy yourself a home
then use whatever money you
need and put the rest away"
Did the champ follow the ad-
vice? No one knows whether or
not it was Colombo's advice, bat
ne hasn't squandered his money
IS did so many champs in the
past.
Hes very economical. His
manager, Al We'll, handles all his
business Investments and none
Of his money is wasted"
One of Rocky's greatest in.
Ierests is establishing a Boys
Camp. He has requested that
lion possible on physical educa-
ion training and boys camp
work.
Is the champ laxative abou;
his boxing achievement? Accord.
ing to Colombo. he never men
tions boxing unless it's brought
lup by another person.
Although Rocky has achieved
the greatest fame. thus far, 81
the two school buddies, Colombo
is gaining a wide reputation as
one of the most able school prin.
cipals in this section of the State
Williams Township is LOCATED
halfway between Tabor City anC
Whitcvi'la hut It's the place folks
look when they need n qualified
chairman 70 rcivic wodk.
Vince is currently serving as
overall chairman of the Boys
Home fund raising campaign.
He has served as president ot
the Columbus chapter of NEA
teachers organization.
A graduate of Atlantic Chris.
tian College in Wilson, N. c.
Colombo has been principal a.
Williams School since 1851.
1t was his athletic ability that
brought him to North Caroline
but it was the friendly atmos
phere he found that kept hin
here.
When ne accepted a basketball
and baseball scholarship to At
Ilantic Christian in 1910. he turn.
ed down a football scholarship t.
Boston College. At that time, tn,
Igreat Frank Leahy was hea,
coach and offering scholarship
to only the most promising ath
lletes.
~ was playing semi-pro base
ball in Virginia my first yea
cut Of high school when ] me
Pete Bryant who was a studen
at Atlantic Christian. He tool
me to the school one week en-,
and I met the coach. He ha,
seen me play in the semi-pr'
League and offered me basket
ball and baseball scholarship,
said Colombo.
Turning back to the converse
ton about Rocky, Colombo said
I"He has a standing invitation t
J visit with us but his schedule j
a heavy one. Everyplace he goe
The is swamped by people VIII
want to see the champ"
About Tuesday nights fight
I Colombo isn't too worried an
feels that Rocky will win bu
l"uiIi have his hands full"