Evening star., 1960-06-20
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s7Auu
Suite 700: Fight Day

NEW YORK June 2O-In suite 700 of the Commodore
Hotel the fight mob marks the hours until ring time with
the intimacy of consprator The brains of the old fight
from Abe Atte to Joe Louis carefully picked by
the experts most whom can't understand the short
price Floyd Patterson.
"Johansson ought to be to H. Jack Kearns, the old
man. one-tme manager of Jack Dempsey and Mickey
Walker and SVenga of Archie Moore KearnS
is holding in the center of room betting coffee
Kearns is dressed in an ice cream suit with fancy
straw lid carny suit The old guy confesses that ne has
been praying lately. For JohansSon."
He wins and I'm in business" Doc says. Patterson
wins and I'm dead Kearns is talking of Moore his ageleSs
ght-heavy champion He wants to put Moore in the ring
with lingo for one more big day.
I'D like September shot in Soldier Field, Chicago"
Doc says would be the biggest gate in history don't
claim they good fighters, Moore and JohanSson but
the public loves both. They're both couple of ham
actors
JOE LOUIS WALKS into the suite glad-handing
everybody The Old Bomber is working-Shilng is the
term-for Patterson He asks each in the circle with
KearnS who he's picking.
lingo in FIVE" says. Louis mods amiably and
turns to the next
lingo in eight" another says Louis grins. He finds
few among the so-caled experts who pick Patterson.
II still like my man." Joe says. by a knockout?" he
is asked. by a Knockout" Louis replies
You working in PatterSon'S corner?" a asks.
"Oh, no." Joe Il done my work If he amt
ready when that bell rings amt gonna do him good
in the corner"
guy that gets knocked down times in a round
year ago and hasn't fought since When kid"-and
this is spectacular recall of memoryI got licked by
kid on the other side of the street walked his
side after that licking because couldn't forget it. It's
going to be the same with Patterson"
BARNEY ROSS, THE former lightweight champion,
stros into the just down from Grossngers where
lingo JohanSSon trained Ross is booster for the SWede
"JohanSSon is so per cent better than a year ago."
Barney says. He don't paw with his left hand any more
He shoots it and oltS you hate to say this because it's
so trite but it's good big against good little
Patterson is good Aghter?" man asks Ross.
always been good fighter" Barney tells him. But
Johansson is so big and strong"
Barney" interviewer asks, "f you Patterson
how would you fight Ingo?"
If were Patterson" Barney says Il wouldn't The
other laughs But if you Patterson" he persists
rephraSlng the question, land you had to fight tonight
would you go after JohanSSon and try to take him out
quick or would you wait and play it safe?"
I'D go after him." Barney replies You can't play It
safe with JohanSson. You and he'll you out in
the chase You can't crawl through the ropes you know
KEARNs is ASKED IF MOORE is attending the fight
and Doc shakes his head negatively Hes back at the
salt mines sweating off the slop Kearns answers You
know he weighed 206 his last fight"
why does he get fat that he has to take off 30
pounds to fight the German?" addresses Kearns
Moore is scheduled to fight Erich Schoeppner Germany
undefeated ghtheavy champion of Europe on July 18
in Toronto.
"Oh, he eats watermelon and ice cream all the time 4"
KearnS says grnnng Archie he don't drink a glass of
water when he's thirsty He drinks gallon It's all sop
He can take of eight pounds day easy. Only trouble
See WIN, LOSE OR DRAW, Page A-1S