Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-27
VIM LOSE OR
DRAW ,y FRANCE, ,,.uu
A Bundle From Britain

LIS a SMEAR CAMPAIGN" the American press is
running Don Cocke accuses and the roy-poly British
heavyweight is pretty about the way he has
received read sincerity his utteances efore
ever to the United States some of your papers
tne ooomn life out of me and they saw me-" Cocke
says Il was asked Can fight? DO 70 uthink you've
got chance?"
Well now is to be hoped sake of the acionados
VINO will pay admissions May 16 that does not bleed
so easily from gloved fist from printed word Men
VINO looked Tar more like fighters who much better
records have been questions in the past when
an engagement with Rocky Marcano was coming up
To the average American patron of boxing Cocke looks
almost comic He has wide bottom and round face that
almost has to be decepvey soft looking considering the
nature OF his work He stands than inches and
weighed 22l when he got off the boat journeyman Amer
lean light-heavyweght named Jimmy slade and Randy
Tupn who once dethroned Sugar Ray Robinson middle
weight champion, stretched Cocken on the floor.
****
COCKELL, TOO WAS hand picked by the International
Boxing Club and presumably by AL WE'LL proprietor of
Marciano No truck wanted with Nno Vade or Archie
Moore apparently but the Importation Cocke struck
responsive chord with them if not with the public.
good deal OF the sports criticism which Cocke
apparently resents stemmed from following his
arrival these shores press conference the news
men startled by the Brher whom Counnist Jimmy
cannon wrote in part: 1.-THE first impression is that Don
CockeH has the appearance of Lberace goried by Nell
Brnkey who drew those fluffy conceptions cupid lowering
over lovers in mood of aggressive benevolence."
There have been fat fighters before of Tony
Galento was round man. but he looked and acted
mean in the ring Porcne he have
could take out his opponent with solid left hook
alWoSC pretty IN comparison with GaentO whereas
Tony was boisterous braggart Britan pride and joy
been until his recent outburst painfully quiet and shy
ON THIS SIDE of the pond much stress is placed on the
TACT a Siaoe and Turpn kayoed When last seen
ooeweght Bobo Olson had pinned Turpn on the ropes at
Maoon square Garden like the cloth donkey without tail
At cnorens party and was cobbering him numerically
Iurpn showed he was woeuy nept fought Olson
and Is not an easy memory to contrary it
returns wildly. ~
Cockell and Marciano have met two common onnonents
Harry Matthews and Roland LaSarza champ took out
Matthews in the second round won two 1oround
decisions and then stopped Harry in eight Rocky edged
his tyo days and stopped him in II title
Cockell won a decision LaStarza II months ago
British boxing writer's insist Cockens looks are de-
ceVng tha ne is extremely fast mean and while
great punche that he cut mans face up He is far
better boxer than Marciano they contend which could come
under the heading of famous last words.
The wonder is that to the publicity mill at San
Rafael Calf has not ground out copy calling attention
to Willie Meehan, whom odimers will remember as having
equally impausbe physical recommendations.
WILLIE MEEHAN WAS short, fat man who gave Jack
Dempsey fits in 1917 and 1918 The hard hitting always
charging Dempsey to whom Marcano often compared
had no trouble with the bigger heavyweights
blasted the Fred Fultons and Gunboa Smiths he couldn't
fathom Fat Willie In three fights they broke even win
Tor each and draw II memory serves Meehan
on the floor against Dempsey.
Brishers argue that Cockes fat is an asset uontinp
out that ne never has lost been the floor since he
paLooned TO heavyweight re too weak when e
fought Turpn Manager Jack Simpson explains Don came
down from 20 pounds to ITS for Turpn never tried
again"
At 49, Cocke is four years younger than Marcano hut
has two of experience Another oddity will be
his size in relation to Marciano fall when Rocky was
visiting Washington photo of an italian heavyweight
STOOD some feet tall appeared in the papers, Marcano
who small for heavyweight asked he thought
ne could do with opponent feet tall.
don't know" Rocky replied "but If you mean how it
tees looking up at the other fellow wouldn't be any novelty
IT'S guy my height shorter I've never fought