Evening star., 1962-09-12

Rocky Groziono,
SeIf-Mude Gent
By MORRIS sIEGEL


THE CONVERSION OF Rocky Graziano from rowdy,
deadend East Side New York roughneck into an almost
respectable product of human society has been complete
his two daughters find it impossible to believe he
wasn't always model young man.
81 told 'em to read my book datn tell 'em what bum
was" Rocky said here yesterday They read it, but they
don't believe what's in there All they Daddy you're
still beautiful man. Hows dat for comeback"
Rocky, fighting tiger in the 4os, is tigerish
20 with an overt all who befriended him. IF there
was another America" he told student assembly at
Gaaudet College where he appeared in behalf of special
film project for the deaf school, I'D be jealous"
ROCKY WHOSE THREE middleweight fights with
Tony zale classics in ferocy living proof that bad
guys don't always lose except Tv Westerns He cites
chapter and verse to prove his own case.
"Inmy book Somebody Up There Likes Me- told about
every rat thing That took CUTS because
I was mama's boy At the time beautiful man
like Barney also had book and he talked about
nothing except nice people who did nice things.
Me and my rat book, together with the movie they
made made quarter of million bucks. Poor Barney
betcha didn't make dime with his. Don't tell me the
bad guy don't sometimes cop the duke"
Today Graziano is a Tv actor being associated with
q New York educational film company, the reason Tor
his Washington visit Nat Hiken producer OF the Phil
svers Bko" SERIES gave Rocky his start and the Rock
has parlayed it into profitable venture
FOR DEM, DEEzE and doze guy who didn't wear a
suit until he 20 DID, he something out Of
Hollywood with his fancy get-up. His 180 pounds were
stuffed into gaysik italian suit with silk shirt that
almost matched black knit tie set off the ensemble per-
fectly stood around three bills" he said proudly
Nothing"
The first time they tried to make this fist-fghtng
assassin at least dress like gentleman in 1912 after
he had poeaxed his first three opponents in preinares
in his pro start at Madison Square Garden His
gave him $0O to discard the sweater and tired shirt
he day and night. He also told he was being
promoted to six FOUNDERS and to be at the Garden the
following Friday evening for ringSde introduction to
billboard his next appearance.
I'm staggering down the aisle with the fancy suit !"
he recalled, "and some monkey grabs by the collar
almost raped his mouth in before it was Mike
Jacobs Get outa them fancy clothes and get back In that
dirty sweater and up your hair before you get in that
ring he ordered. Mike wanted to keep me character,
Rocky mused $50 whattcha gonna do did it. Them East
Side guys would recognize in that suit getup
anyway"
NEXT TO MAKING MONEY, Grazianos pet hobby
today lecturng the evils of juvenile deinuuency
"You think they could find better expert than me?" he
oked I'm talking to bunch Of punks in New York re-
Gently, real young buns like was and the New York
Director Of Corrections there He told to quit using
so many curse words told him talking the only
language these guys understand What thinking
maybe was talking to class at HarvardP know them
kids. Of EN- They like me-"
The subject of adult delinquency was brought up,
specifically the Of Sonny Lsoh bad guy, but he's
fighter think he'll belt Patterson out in three maybe
four rounds Sonny dunno maybe If he wins the title it
will straighten him out But dunno"
Golde Ahearn who was host to the Graziano claoue
in the afternoon recalled Rockys 1s4S fight here with
Sonny Horne 1t was the first conformation Rocky had
after New York set him down for some alleged funny
business with Reuben Shank Rocky supposed to have
been available for 100000 bribe offer.
"%%%
AT DINNER PRECEDING the fight Graziano was
introduced to FBI Chief Edgar Hoover who happened
to be dining in the restaurant yeah remember
now, Goldie," Grazano said when they introduced me
to Hoover said shouda met you long time ago. You
already know all my pals Mr.. Hoover Just smiled"
1t is almost 10 to the day since Rocky fought
his last fight losing 10rounder against Chuck Davey
He lost the decision performing he already
hearsing for the Tvplay acting that followed You
remember" he winked.
But that's all behind Rocky. He's certain Somebody
Up There" really likes him. If it wasn't" he asked "how
could bum likes meet such nice people like President
Truman and Jayne Mansfed?"