Evening star., 1961-02-16
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW /, FRANCE. srAuu
Like Carrying. Flowers

PALM BEACH, FLA, FEB T.-1ngemar Johansson,
when discussing his impending rematch with Floyd Pat
teson March 13 at Miami Beach, has brushed off the
suggestion that his only hope is to land big right
hand the fist with the "toonder" in 1t.
Yet most visitors to the Swedes fight camp are con-
vinced that lingo hasn't much else going for him. He
lacks the combinations of Patterson and the hand speed
In the second fight when he lost the title lingo looked
amateurish at times.
'I am ashamed" Johan$son has been saying. "I see
the films and The punch that knocks down
Is foolish. It is from here"
The Swede sitting a chair He doubled his left
fist dropped to the floor and brought it up in an
exaggerated imitation Of how he felt Patterson had thrown
his first good left hook
II never am hit by that punch before" he said
shaking his head. Then when get up am holding up
this hand Chs right in the air, like carrying bunch
oftflowers. SO bad"
UNTIL THIS WEEK the public had been led to believe
that CaSSius Clay who the Olympic ghtheavy title
fof the United States last summer would be regular
sparring partner But Clay fired after single two
round session at Miami Beach.
DO you think I'd put lingo in the ring with. Cay?"
Whitley Bmsen demanded. "Clay amt sparrng partner
he's clown. He made Johansson look foolish"
Ingemar received bad Miami press after his exhibi
ton with Clay. - j
THE guy was out to make a reputation" Bimstein
fumed. Anybody even me, could put headgear and
60 fast two rounds, running and clownng I wouldn't
have the bum around here" .t-.
Bimstein Is little skn-headed guy with white eye
brows and q long background trainer and
man. He worked with Johansson in both Of the Patterson
fights but this is the first time he's had any authority
-. ts.... ,.5-H 1.-..
THE OTHER GUYS nice and helpful" Whitley said
referring to Edwin Ahqst the manager Of record and
Nils Blmherg the Swedish trainer But in America you
got to have an American running things"
In the short time that Bimstein has been here in
1ngos camp he's cleared out the old sparng partners
and hired new ones Whitley also has banned "a that
Swedish food he eats"
Them meatballs and pancakes is good for and
you he said bu fighters got to eat steaks and prime
ribs Look know some OF you guys who watch Johansson
don't think he's much fighter but he's heluva chance
OF winning back the title just like Patterson did.
A he's got to do Is hit him. Floyd is easy to knock
down Any time there's puncher in fight, don't think
it's got to be one-sided."
you handled Max Baer and Jim Braddock and lot
Of other heavyweights," Whitley cued. How does
lingo compare with Baer say, puncher2"
Believe me-" Whitley replied, "he hits harder than
Baer"
DOES IT BOTHER YOU" Bimsten was asked, ITO
realize that in two fights with Patterson your man went
down the first time he hit?"
"Whadaya mean the first tme?" Whitley asked. you
mean he wasn't belted in the fight he won?"
II saw both fights" the other said, "and Patterson
didn't really hit him until the fifth round Of the second
match"
you amt watching so good" Whitley said. "He
was hit in the first Listen, just because of that
business in the oy1npcs don't think Johansson amt
game"
In the 1852 Olympics, lingo was disqualified in the
heavyweight final against the late Ed Sanders Of the
United States for running away
Il didn't mean to say he isn't game" the other
hedged. But couldn't it be purely physical weakness?"
HE was Just pink kid in the Olympcs" Whitley said
ignoring the concilatory gesture Kids do things they
don't do later saw Baer scared to death In my
before fight Others too and they weren't any
19-year old kids like Johansson was"
Then lingo will have excuses next month";"
He will knock out Patterson again." Whitley predicted