Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-22
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS srAun
As 1t Seemed a Year Aqo

WHEN is THE LAST time a fighter hit the skids
quickly Bobo Olson? year he polishing bronze
outstanding pugis While Heavyweight Champion
Rocky Marciano was training in California to meet Don
Cocken he interested when native ominouSy
yelled, Some day Olson will get you in the ring!"
1t sounds absurd now . /. Olson versus Marciano Or
Olson any heavyweight champ for that matter. But
a year Bobo expected by to vault the
ancient Archie Moore champion of the lghheaveS and
challenge Marciano.
His credentials weren't much. Olson couldn't punch
hard and he 160-pounder But he
sdered tough rockhard guy who had graduated from
the side streets of Honolulu Bobo usually shy when he
talked to fight writer's proudly referred to the days when
he enjoyed fighting in alleys for purse.
Today he has glass chin. He is washed up His next
fight if there ever is not be main event.
REPORTS FROM ACCREDITED observers who watched
36yearod Sugar Ray Robinson aen Olson in the fourth
round not aering the onetme middleweght king
The kindly Frank Graham felt that Osons effort clumsy
and at times craven" Olson's manager having
messed his tigers fourth defeat at the hands of Robinson
gave up Bobo.
1.-The guy who can beat Robinson has got to be an
offensive fighter who take the lead away from Ray
keep it, Sid Flaherty ntoned Tiger Jones beat Robinson
maybe he do again. This Gene Fulmer kid takes
pretty good punch, and maybe he's the man. But not
guy"
This from Faherty year ago he saying for
publication that Olson figured to beat Moore Then"
Flaherty said well Marciano wants any truck with
real fighter, or he'll always take on the Cockels"
This when Olson training for Moore at Atlantic
He looked small him the
ring against puncher like the 188pound Marciano but
Bobo wearing those tattoo body mark
OF toughneSs and like his manager he spoke if Moore
already behind him. Some kened him to quiet Fitz
or Ketchel or Mickey Walker
THE FIRST TIME MOORE hit Bobo solidly, the
time Honolulu street fighter went down and stayed down.
He led from the ring and visitors not allowed in
the dressing for nearly hour BY then Olson
gone.
was of his class" they said "and had no bust
fighting lght-heavy. But still the middle
weight in the world"
Maybe he until Robinson nearly years retire.
ment his Soft-shoe and patter in night clubs to
return to the ring For the usual of coursethe
shorts Sugar few dropped decision to Tiger Jones,
and announced that he ready to face Olson
Even though Robinson had licked Bobo twice in the dim
past it didn't possible that he'd do it again in two
rounds in Chicago December g. 1855 But he did Like
Moore, he hit Olson clean shot and Bobo went down.
And he didn't get up
OLSON DIDN'T GET UP Friday night in Los Angeles
when he tagged with that left hook Once down. Olson
stays down these days AS ringmen CO. Bobo longer
tough guy.
There still is appraising Robinson His two fights
with Olson provide clue to whether his legs hold up
nasmuch he went than rounds in the two bouts
For brief time watching the elevon it looked
If Olson might clutch and hold until he reached compare
tive period of safety say the fifth sixth round and
thereby test the odster
Olson or perhaps only the California heat had mussed
Robinsons beauty paror air-do Early the fourth
it looked Sugar Rays mouth hanging open like
he gaspng for air. And then Bobo exposed his chin and
1t all
Even before Olson settled the canvas it was obvious
that he wouldn't get up He didn't against Moore July
90 1885, and he didn't against Robinson in Chicago In Los
Angeles he rolled from his back to his belly but that about
completed his gesture.
Bobos had it. 1t will interesting in the future to see if
some stouer foe not necessarily rated high Olson
one tme can make Robinson he has good
him. In short something to match supreme savvy the
guys obviously still got in his fists and head.