Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-21
A TCHISON'S
bANGLE
Wanted: Strong Willing Boy
BY LEWIS F. ATcHIsoN

PORTLAND, OREG, AUG. 21.-Any reasonably healthy
young athlete weighing 100 pounds educated un
letered, who doesn't look into the heavyweight boxing
situation just doesn't like money After only three title
defenseS Floyd Patterson has about exhausted his supply
Of suitable chaengers and there plenty Of openings
for youngsters willing to open bank accounts
Roy Harris lost to Patterson but he picked up quick
hundred grand of which he banked Worst of all,
he unfrocked Floyd great heavyweight champion.
good to be sure but not the suave boxer OF
Gene Tunneys class deadly puncher like Joe Louis or
the snarng slahng Jack Dempsey who seemed to enjoy
hurting his opponents can't imagine Patterson beat
ing any of these-or beating Max Baer if he
wanted to fight.
Many regulars the boxing beat thought old Jack
Hurley talking with tongue in check trying to drum up
fresh customers for the box office when he away
from PatterSons camp shaking his head and murmurng
that "he looked awful"
CHRIS DUNDEE, THE MIAMI promoter who once
managed such fighters Phil Furr Norment Quarles,
George Abrams and Ken overn, acknowledgement cham
pon and Others thought enough of Harris chances against
Patterson to put 500 him. Chris not betting man.
but he on a busmanS holiday and Harris victory
would have paid for his trip.
"It too tempting to pass up" Dundee said
Harris cut too easily and didn't throw enough leather
to bring of what would have been the upset OF the
century Thinking back to the night Tony Galento boxed
Louis and knocked down before succumbng to Joes
savage eounter-attack found ourselves wondering If
Patterson could have whipped Galento that night The
answer Is no. ..t
champions supposed to have He is too gentlemanly
Harry Greb" said Hurley recalling the famed Human
Windmill" who held both the middleweght and light
heavyweight crowns would have tented him at the
opening bell grabbed him by the shoulders and butted him.
He Patterson would be covered with blood before blow
was struck"
BUT THAT is NEITHER here nor there. The point
we're trying to make that Pattersons performance
should help revive the faded interest in the heavyweight
class guy good enough to be the champion, but
nobody left the rngde with the impression that they mad
truly great champion The IF Club had field day.
"If Row hadn't been bleeder." one said, He'd have
gone all the way and that decision would have been
interesting"
IF he'd stepped in often with the iab If he'd been
more aggressive, said another "he could have won the
fight"
1T was strictly the cuts" said their companion.
Patterson hit him good shots in the belly that hurt
but didn't stop him And he couted him good on the head
couple of times without hurtn him. If Harris was a
puncher he'd be the champ"
Harris soundy beaten. To us it was as one-sided
the night Henry Armstrong used Barney Ross for Is
rounds of batting practice and lifted Ross welterweght
Yet the crowd Monday night went away talking
about Harris game stand He got as many cheers as
Patterson, who unmarked and not at all disturbed
WE TALK ABOUT the lack of doctors, teachers and
technicianS The Nation truly does need them but no
more than boxing needs some hungry young heavy
weights who won't Shun riches. With proper handling,
and sound publicity build-up, Harris easily can be
brought back for return match with Patterson and it
would be moneymaker
Meanwhile the field wide open for other applicants
The only qualifications judging by those of Foyds first
three opponents must be o. 100 pounds and
have note from his gym teacher. 1t also would be
advisable not to be affiliated with International Boxing
Club manager. Gus DAmao, Patersons manager doesn't
like that
1t will be a surprise, nay a disappointment, If there
isn't revival in heavyweight interest If there is Patter
deserves the credit for being good but not too good