Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-18
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s1Axu
Time to Say When

NOT LONG AGO, Billy Soose former middeweight
champion OF the world wrote letter to Rocky Marano
back Find other sport" Billy suggested land get
interested in it,"
There other pieces good advice in the letter
and if Soose, well Gene Tunney, can't convince
Marcano to stay retired the of Ezzard Charles should
provide the clincher.
In his prime Charles was good ring mechanic He
could box and he punched well enough.
shortening it reluctance to be tiger. Thus
about the last boxer you'd think would keep trying when
he's all DONE
Here's how good Charles just couple of years
ago On June IT, 1854, he closer than any other
man to beating Marciano He full IS and was
ahead points until the final four rounds At
point Rocks body blows began to take their toll Charles
reexeS slowed and Marcano began to lombard head
The dude from Cincinnati must have caught so or go
of Marcanos bombs and the was startling His face
literally knocked lopsided Yet didn't go down
at the finish the voting was close.
NATURALLY THEY WERE RENIATCHED. In September
of "a Rocky stopped but until Charles notorious
slaSher had done almost what predicted he would
do, namely cut Marcano badly the fight would
to be stopped He close He opened RockyS eye
he split his nose in half Ez could have stood another
couple of rounds he might have the ever
to regain the heavyweight title.
Charles widely considered to be an especially
brave tighter bravery it developed confused with
cauton stamped with the badge of courage
but at the time his critics urged him
to quit and polish up his bul-fdde playing Ted
liamS once spoke of becoming fireman. so Charles had
mentoned That ne enjoyed the bull fiddle far than
his work in the ring.
He didn't quit Charles has had Is fights since the
evening Marciano attened him in our shop there
was difficulty remembering that he'd many any Ergo
telephone call to Nat Fleischer editor Ring Magazine
in New York
He's 10 of the 15," Nat reported after glance
at his records Of course Charles didn't beat any name
fighters and some of those who beat him pretty
unknown too But Ez hasn't been shut out"
THE BOOK SHOWS that Charles indeed. ran off
hvefght winning streak after his destruction by
in their second battle He beat Charlie Norkus Escoe
John Holman (twice) and Paul Andow. Then
losing sreak-Hurrcane Jackson (twice) and Toxic Hail.
iourneyman sparring partner.
short time ago there was occasion to ask Tom
TannaS, his manager, why Charles continued fight
Tannas is of the nice guy managers he put
this way:
AT first urged him to quit Ez said, How else do
make living? Anyway, still think I've still got it,
You know" Tannas said, hes about talked me into
1t. This fight we just tit the Floyd Patterson
Hurricane Jackson affair almost convnces that
good night Charles beat either one of them"
LAST WEEK THE PAIR-Charles and Tannas-were on
the Pacific Coast for what they felt disposed to call
tuneup against Pat McCurty young Californian with
no more past than Charles has future
Ez has three wins Archie Moore" Tannas boosted
He stopped Moore. After this fight Patterson
and after Patterson we want Moore for the title"
Theren be no after" for e. still only IS years old
and Charles and Tannas only deudng themselves If
they think they are deudng the public Not long after
guy named Wayne Bethea beat the one-tme champ this
Pat McMurty green kid managed by his father thumped
Charles real good.
Twice Charles had rounds taken away from him for
low ploWs and Ez never was foul fighter Probably he
can't p-pont his punches any longer According to the
accounts Ez was in bad shape at the finish.
This was another fight it was pleasure to miss By
Apti-bul fiddler