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Tucson Daily Citizen from Tucson, Arizona • Page 11

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RAIN THREATENS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE GO DOUBLE Same Site, Same Day 26 years Ago When funneyDefeated Dempsey By Skibo McKay Tonight's heavyweight championship fight returns to Philadelphia, the locale of a 'past great title bout between a jabbing, fast-moving boxer arid a two-fisted slugger, of more prominence than the present champion and challenger. It was 26 years ago today that Gene Tunney out-boxec and outpointed Jack Dempsey of his heavyweight crown in Philadelphia's Sesquicentennial stadium before the larges crowd in American boxing history, 120,757. In tonight's scrap in the Municipal stadium the champion, Jersey Joe Walcott, is regarded as the master boxer, and also respected for his punching power, against the challenger, Rocky Marciano, classified with such great punchers as Dempsey, Joe Louis and Jim Jeffries. Marciano, nee Rocco Marchegiano, hails from Brock ton, the home state of five former world' champions --John L. Sullivan, Twin Mike Sullivan, Sol Bartola Steve Mellody and Sandy Walcott, born Arnold Raymond Cream in Camden, N.

the seventh world champion to represent his home state, including Jimmy Braddock. Although Marciano possessed an undefeated record of 21 knockouts in 23 fights since 1948, he did not attract nation-wide attention until the last day of December, 1949, when he disposed of Carmine Vingo in six rounds. The physical beating absorbed by Vingo prompted him to pen a national magazine story entitled, "I was Slaughtered to Please a Crowd." The Brockton Belter has earned a spot alongside modern day fighters with long winning streaks. To date he has 42 straight wins, all but five via the knockout route. His latest victims were Louis, Lee Savold and Harry Matthews.

Both the champion and the challenger have met Louis and Rex Layne. Walcott was unable to beat either them, while Marciano stppped Layne in the- sixth and Louis in the eighth last year. The beating administered to Louis was the deciding factor that the former champ would not try for a comeback. Against Louis the pre-fight information was that Marciano's right hand would carry the most damaging effects. He floored the Brown Bomber with left hooks.

His short left hook is regarded as one of the best in all boxing. Walcott, who'was fighting professionally when Mar ciano was six years old, has established himself as ai endurance fighter capable of finishing 15 rounds in condition, whereas has yet to be tested beyond a 10-rounder. Walcott's best attack is from long range, moving away from his target with stinging left jabs and hooks and overhand rights. He is powerfully built, but the strength of his legs is a question mark for the fast pace expected tonight from both sides. Marciano's plans are to force the fight all the way, willing to take two or three blows if there is an open spot to land his crushing left or right.

The champion holds a definite weight 196 to 184. That was Walcott's'weight when title against Eazard Charles, but it will'be the lowest for Marciano in more than two years. His normal fighting weight is 187. By GAYLE XALBOV got to go with raw, rugged youth in this one, so the pick is for Rocky Marciano, 2ft to wear down Jersey Joe Walcott, 38, and stop the world champion somewhere after the 10th round of tonight's fight. It might a little sooner if the Camden pappy becomes careless.

Walcott is a remarkable specimen for 38. He might even be a remarkable 43 or 44 if you wish to believe some promoters who claim Joe fought for them several years before his official record began in Nat Fleischer's big book. But 38 will do for the purposes of this essay, and we don't care if Bob Fitzsimmons did wind up fighting from a wheel chair, as they claim. Marciano, an unbeaten young man of great potentialities, plans to go out and tuck down his granite Jaw and throw punches at body until something comes loose. He anil his brain trust fully expect, that manyjjf them will miss, and that Rocky will at time be made to look like a novice.

But they also feel, certain that a fair percentage of blows will reach Walcott somewhere, and they know for sure that every erne of them will hurt. "Walcott might get away from two or three of them in a row," says Charlie Goldman, the Mar- ciano.trainer, "but he'll only find more coming after him. He can't block or get away from all'of them. Every one that hits his belly will take something out of him. He'll feel it in his legs first.

When; he's ready. Rocky will knock him out." Obviously, the challenger's camp does not feel: that Walcott's previous opponents have exploited the body attack as they might have. The others, they say, have tried to box with the smart oldtimer, arid have been feinted or bluffed into giving him nice rest periods when he needed them. Ezzard Charles, they contend, was just plain bluffed out of victory in his last one with Joe here. Looking atj some Walcott's more recent pouts on television or on films, they noticed that after almost every exchange of blows Jersey Joe dropped his gloves and made quite a production of hiking up his tights before resuming the fray.

They decided he might be biding his front with the gloves while he is taking a long, welcome breath. "Yeah," Rocky grinned when asked about this, "I notice- he goes for those tights, all right." itizen POSTS SEPTEMBER 23, 1952 PAGE 11 i 1 Old Notes Show Panthers Rebound, 1 4- yw Coaches Cry, And Baseball's Gone By Dave Feldman 'We'd-RcttherPlay Tribe' Dresden that Charlie Dressen is counting his chickens, but the Brooklyn Dodgers' manager said today he'd rather meet Cleveland in the World Series than the New York Yankees. I think the Yankees are a little better ball talkative skipper said. "Cleveland doesn't have nearly as good an infield as the he said--and then, "or ours." DRESSEN SAID he didn't know much about Cleveland's second baseman, Bobby Avila, but "I understand he's not bad with the glove. "But the rest of those guys--the balls oughta go bouncing through there pretty good." Dressen admitted Cleveland's pitching good but pointed out "the Yankees are getting real good pitching themselves, lately, and might be just as good in the series.

"And the Yankees -score more runs." BUT" WHAT about your team, Chuck? You've still got to win one more, or the must lose one more, before, the pennant is yours. "First all we've got to get in," he said. "Then I want to see what Branca and Labine can do. If one is all right, it will make a big Chuck was speaking of his-sore- armed hurlers, Ralph Branca and Clem Labine. "NO ONE'S got a curve like la bine," Chuck said.

"And he throws he's not like he was last year." And what about Joe Black? "I've been thinking about start- ing him in the series, but you can't tell at this point." Better clinch it -first, Charlie. You haven't forgotten Bobby Thomson and his playmates so soon, have you? Lauro Salas Set At Phoenix PHOENIX (U.R) Lauro Salas, the plucky little fighter who battled his way to the lightweight championship of the world, engages Ramon (Chinito) Yung tonight in a 10-round, non-title bout at Phoenix Madison Square Garden. Salas fought, some of his first professional fights in the Phoenix ring emporium, which seldom-has been the scene of capacity crowd- attracting events in recent years Only an unrelated welterweight by the same name--Charlie Salas of Phoenix--has been able to pack them into the Phoenix garden, but Promoter Paul Clinite has hopes for a top house tonight. Lauro Salas, who next fights a good sinker. He's improved but Jimmy Carter in defense of his crown at Chicago on Oct.

15, defeated Chu Chu Mendoza in his last appearance here. PREP PERSONALITY By Guddemi The Spark was gone. That might have told "part of the story Friday night when the Amphitheater. Panthers entertained the Mesa Jackrabbits at THS stadium. For the Spark--End Jim Sparks to be exact--won more than one ball game for the northsiders.

Of course he wasn't the whole show, not by a'long shot But Sparks personally took charge in two games with southern conference foes, Bisbee and Douglas. And he produced not a few gray hairs on the craniums of other opposing coaches. Then on the, other hand, the presence of Sparky Friday night might not have made any difference. He was around for the opener last year, and Amphi was barely lukewarm in holding Nogales to a 6-6 tie. The Panthers, who have lost three, tied one and won two of six openers since Murl McCain took the reins, have a habit of bouncing back with good second game.

There may be a slight secret to the rebound for the second game: McCain's birthday is today, and right aboul this week every year the boys like to bring him back a victory scalp. Coach-McCain, still slim and is all of 31. OLD NOTES FOUND IN OLD TROUSERS DEPT: "Don't say that we've got many lettermen back, because we'll be green again this year," moaned Douglas high's Otis Coffey. "We letter all our little boys, and then everyone thinks we're loaded because' we have 20 lettermen back." And sure enough, the Bulldogs knocked off Nogales, only 20-0, Friday. Affable Coffey, a nice guy to chat with over coffee, as all coaches are, used to have a good time matching crocodile tears with another fine mentor, Waldo Dicus, who guided Bisbee up to season.

One or the other poker-facedly claimed a backfield composed of "four transfers from the old folks home at Prescott." MORE OLD NOTES: The Denver Bears have collected their first 'Western league pennant in 39 years. They won their last banner in 1913, were second last year. Also won the playoffs this time. Added addenda--the skipper of the Bears was none other than a brother to the A-T's fabulous personage, Mgr. Sydney Cohen.

Yep, Andy Cohen brought home the big honors to the Denver fans, who call themselves the most rabid in the country--and may be right. OLDEST NOTES: And since baseball season won't get any closer as weeks pass more feud for thought--Who was the top rookie of the year in the Arizona-Texas league? Two top prospects were Bisbee-Douglas' Benny (Papelero) Valenzuela and Rookie Bob Melton of Phoenix. Both were third basemen. Melton batted .312, drove in 125 runs, hit 22 homers and looked like big league material. But Benny, whose nickname Papelero literally means newsboy (which he was), batted' better at .352 and in nature resembled Catcher Clint Courtney, a firecracker of the old days in the loop.

If Papelero (who switched from right'field to third base to be nearer the girls in the stands) doesn't eat himself out-of baseball, wateh'hini go. For matter, watch'em both go. Next year. WON ftftT5 THIS was plain the way he said it that he means to try to keep Joe's gloves not only up at all tunes but extremely busy. There will be no-rest for the.

older man except between rounds. As he goes out for- each succeeding the chances are he will feel a little more tired 06 it Finally the 'time Will come when the old champ's arms will drop to. defend his tortured insides, and bang! It comes sometime to a them. Anyhow, that's the blueprint as we see it. If it should by any chance proved wrong this time, we'll simply haul it out again the next time they meet, for Marciano is destined to be heavywisight champion, He will be.

one of the most popular ones ever, a sort of latter day Jack Dempsey. Marciano Is 8-5 Favorite; WalcottLooksFor Quick Kayo Jersey Joe Walcott and dynamic Rocky Marciano anxiously peered at the glowering skies today as they marked off the long hours for their heralded heavyweight title clash at 9:30 p.m. (EST) in Municipal, stadium. A light drizzle dampened the friendly city last night and early today and the forecast was for through most of day. If it rains late today and a postponement is necessary, the 15- round bout will be put on tomorrow with Thursday'an additional standby date.

Although the fight won't be shown on home television, it will toe beamed via a closed circuit to a record number of 50 theaters in 31 cities coast to coast. New England theaters and those in the Philadelphia area will not be in on the network. SOME 120,000 to 140,000 spectators are expected to view the Spartans Top UP Grid Poll By LEO H. FETERSEW NEW YORK CU.PJ Georgia Tech, an impressive 54 to 6 vie tor over The Citadel, crowded power-packed, but untested, Michigan State, today the No. 1 spot in the United Press football ratings.

Although Michigan State does not open its season until Saturday when it meets Its traditional rival, Michigan, the 35 outstanding coaches who make up the United Press rating board accorded! Coach Biggie Munn's team top position in the, weekly ratings of the new season. MARYLAND; rated second at the start of the season, dropped to third place with 211 points after it barely managed to beat Mis souri, 13 to 10, in Jts season's opener last Saturday. California, rated fifth pre-season, was. given fourth place with 188 points as a result of a convincing 34 to 13 triumph over the College of Pacific. Texas; with a 35 to 14 victory over Louisiana State, advanced from 10th to seventh place.

Southern California, which buried a highly regarded Washington State team, 35 to 7, wag placed eighth whereas it rated better than a tie' for 13th place in the pre-season predictions. KANSAS, 13 to 0 upset conquerors of Texas Christian, drew ninth place against its pre-season rating of 12th. Villanoya, which 'failed to receive a single vote in the preseason balloting, received 42 points, good for 13th result of its 25 to 6 triumph over Kentucky. In all, eight teams were given first place votes: Michigan' State 14, Maryland 8,: Georgia Tech 6, Kansas and Oklahoma 2 each and California, Texas and Southern California, 1 each. In addition to Michigan State, three other teams which have not opened their seasons were voted among the first in fifth place, Illinois sixth arid Wisconsin tenth.

The United Press football ratings (first place votes in parentheses): TEAM 1--Michigan State (14) 2-- Georgia Tech" (t) 3-- Maryland 4--California (1) 5--Oklahoma (2) Illinois 7--Ttxn (tl Califernia (1) .........120 (2) I. Second ten--11 (tie) Notre Dame and Tennessee, 51 each; US, Villanova, 42; Duke, 28; 15, Penrl- sylvania, 15; 16, IT, Purdue, 10; 18, (tie), Clemson and tSanford, 8 each; 20, (tie) Ohio State, Perm Stats, Princeton, Hice and UCLA, 7 each. Others--Washington, Holy Cross and Nebraska, 5 each; Virginia, Tulsa, -3; Alabama and Oregon State, 2 each; Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas Christian, 1 TOUCH LOOP OPENS The openers of county recreation's touch football season yesterday afternoon saw Flowing Wells; A team, and El elementary outfit in front. Flowing Wells downed Wakefield 6-0, on the strength of Eugene Gaskill's touchdown, on a completed twenty-five yard pass from, fullback Van Heath. At El Rio, Greg Robles and R.

Mills each had a toucti- down to defeat C. E. Rose 13-8. Sun Devils Resi For Colorado A TEMEE (U.R) If there were any weary Sun Devils 'after last week's heartening 26 to 7 victory over Hardin-Simmons, they had little chance to rest today, as Arizona State college went back to work to prepare for the Colorado 'A team which conies to Good win stadium Saturday night. Scout Bill kajikawa said the Ag- gies appeared with a speedy tailback who is capable of running 'the 100-yard dash in around 9.5 seconds.

Kajikawa said the Aggies use- the formation with considerable success. The last time the two teams met was 1950, Arizona State re- cb'rded a narrow 21 to 13 victory. Coach Clyde Smith, told the Phoenix Pressbox association yesterday that he and his staff were elated over the Hardin-Simmons victory, but indicated he was surprised -at the rugged play that characterised the game. Smith said the Sun Devils would have to keep their feet on the ground ime Stiff Drills Fracas and remain at a peak to meet such opposition, if indicative of the kind of gridiron competition In the southwest. Luke AFB Coach Hits The Mark PHOENIX (U.R) Coach George Ahre of Luke Air Force Base was absolutely right last week, but he didn't realize it at the time.

It seems Ahee and a member of his staff went out to the air base runway to watch what they believed was the Edward Air. Base team arriving. Ahee was unimpressed. "Look like spectators," he said. Ahee told the Phoenix Press Box association yesterday that he was right.

"They were spectators," he said. "The team arrived the next day." HOW THEY STAND National League Brooklyn New 1'ork 8t Lonls Philadelphia Chicago Cincinnati Boston Pittsburgh 3 I i 8 11 9 .13 17 17 19 94 34 .633 -14 12 9 12 16 .10 15 88 60 .593 6 11 10 12. 10 10 15' 17 83 63 .574 9 10 10 10 12 12 13 16 83 63 .561 11 10 9 10 13 10 14 73 78 .497 5 6 9 10 9 1 3 14 66 82 .446 28 2 9 7 9 12 9 IS 63 85 .426 31 3 7 5 6 8 5 7 41 110 .272 54J4 LOST 54 60 63 85 76 82 85 110 -American League New York Cleveland Chicago Philadelphia WaahlnstoB Boston St Lornis Detroit a 9 3 I i 12 14 11 15 11 14 13 90 58 .608 -10 13 13 12 13 15 14 90 60 .600 1 8 7 11 13 11 12 17 78 71 .523 12J4 8 9 11 8 10 14 17 77 73 .513 14 7 10 9, 13 11 14 11 76 74 .507 15 8 12 11 7 11 .16 75 73 JO7 15 8 7 7 8 8 11 12 61 87 .412 29 9 5 1 1 8 7 49 99 .331 41V, 71 TM TM 117 100 AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland Detroit i. Qamaa Wiihlng-ton at Philaddptiia Mntarnn va. Shantz (24-7).

U.ui. at D.trolt-- Pill.tt. (10-11) VI. Wigltt (7-11). Ttxai llhrtvtpert 3.

Oklahoma City 1. (Shravaport Itadi taiat of-7 (inala 9-1.) NATIONAL LCAQUC Toniflht'i Brooklyn (2, twi-nlght) (13-14) and (13-1) Lao (13-1) or Rot (11-1) antf Ruthtrforri Ct-7). Playoffi RochesUr Montrul 2. (Roehottor but of 7 ocriM 2-1.) "youth vs. age" struggle in the theaters at prices ranging up to $4.80.

"Ehe unusual starting time of 9:30 p.m. (EST) was described by a promotion spokesman as the "best time for satisfying all conditions of the big event." Most top fights begin at 9 p.m. (EST). The spokesman pointed out that fights starting at 9 o'clock often are late getting underway. The possibility of rain brought to mind the heavyweight title scrap between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey in this same huge bowl just 26 years ago today.

Gentleman Gene lifted the Manassa Mauler's crown In a battle fought- in a heavy that drenched both the pugilists and the 120,747 fans. The customers shelled out record then--to witness the tremendous upset. There won't be anything close to those figures tonight--if the bout goes on--but it will be the richest Tucson radio station KTUO will broadcast a blow-by-blow- description of the Jersey Joe Walcott-Rocky Marciano fight at 8 o'clock Sportscaster SUn Norman will announce thu re-created program. heavyweight promotion since the Joe Louis-Walcott return on June 25, 1948. CO-PROMOTERS Jim Norris and Herman Taylor look for a crowd of 50,000 and a gate of between $550,000 and $600,000.

Walcott will collect 40 per cent of the net while the 28-year-old challenger will re- 1 ceive 20 per cent. They'll get the same percentage of the theater-TV and movie money. The swarthy, powerful, undefeated challenger from Brockton, remained the favorite to dethrone the 38-year-old as the big bettors took the rubber bands off their hefty bankrolls. The' latest odds boosted Rocky up to an 8 to 5 choice. The odds could change substantially by fight time in the last hour splurging.

The odds didn't bother Walcott --an underdog through most of his 22 year career--nor did the writers' picks. Boxing writers plumped for the youngster with explosive fists by a better than 6 to 1 margin. Jersey Joe a chuckle -out of this, remembering how wrong the majority of the "experts" were on his successful June 5th defense against Ezzard Charles in the same stadium. THE GUY is supremely confident he will hand the crude but dangerous challenger the first champion Jersey Joe Walcott wDl have a 12-pound weight edge over challenger, Rocky when they clash in their 15-round title bout tonight. Walcott weighed 196 to Marcl- ano's 184.

licking of his career. Although Walcott has repudiated statements he made to reputable newsmen that Rocky will be an easy mark, there is no doubt that the cham- pion and his followers are look- ng for a quick knockout. Trainer Dan Florio says "Joe will knock him stiff in the first Charley Goldman, Marclanq's ittle trainer, predicts Rocky will jwin "Somewhere between the Isixth and eighth rounds." For the record, the fighters gave out with the usual "I think I'm going to win. Otherwise why would I be fighting?" FLORIO AND GOLDMAN" are a couple of guys who should know. Their opinions are respected.

Almost everyone else in this town agrees with them that this fight won't go the limit. Our pick is Rocky in six rounds. Both fighters have sleep-producers in either hand. Although they moved into contention on the strength of their powerful rights, both have unveiled dynamite-laden lefts in recent fights. Walcott displayed his newly found southpaw sock in dethroning Charles with one perfect left hook.

Rocky put the crusher on Harry (Kid) Matthews with left hooks. It is possible that the first powerful blow of the fight may decide the championship. The big question with Rocky is whether he can tflke Joe's Sunday punch--If he's clipped--and keep coming. chin has been all granite so far. He's never been floored in winning his 42 fights-37 by kayos.

WITH WALCOTT, it's the old stoiy his legs. The champ has gone the 15-round route four times while Rocky never has gone beyond 10. But old man time doesn't go by past performances. Veterans often fall apart from one fight to the next. Will Walcott be able to scoot out of trouble if he gets nailed by one of Marciano's blockbusters? We'll see tonight.

Sancet Warns 'Aggies Will Be Tough 9 This Saturday By BAT Frank Sancet, University of freshman coach and varsity scout, warned Towncats yesterday that next Saturday's game with New Mexico AM of Cruees will be tough. "You can forget last year's score," remarked Sancet. "Last year the Aggies were mostly freshmen and. this year those same kids are back, more experienced and bigger. Their defensive line about the same as ours--around 199 pounds per nan--and the offensive group is slightly lighter, maybe rfour or five pounds.

"They have as fast a set of backs there la In the Border conference. Two'men you' Kraut to are Jimmy Hayes, a 6-foot, 182-pound halfback, and Quarterback: Charles Sanford, 'No. 2, passer in the conference in 19S1 with 1,071 yards gained." Sancet watched the Aggies clip Howard- Payne of Brownwcod, 20-7, In L.U Saturday. "I was pleased when I heard the Arizona score," the frosh coach continued. I heard that Tempe-Hardin-Sirnmons count it sort of took a little of the edge off.

"The 1951 Aggies came over and used all kinds of formations--split-T's, winged-Ts, and This year they are better organized. They like to play. They have the town people behind them. -They want to win and are plenty aggressive. You are going.tc-be in for a surprise Saturday." Bob Herwig, Arizona line coach, using a new policy, did most of the talking for head coach warren Wcodson.

"The Hawaii game -was no true test," Herwig commented. "Our offense went-well because of the speed of "our line. That is what we are trying to teach out there to our Hire--beat the other guys to the Fellows who played very welkin the line were Phil Rutkowiki, Gordon Mount joy, Bar Hannmpel and Carl WeUer. "Our defensive group is not as quick--It can't be with guys like Larry Bowers and Nick Kondora' in there--but we are trying to speed them up. We are trving to get these big guys out of habit-of simply trying to push their opponents aside.

"We liked the kids' spirit particularlyt After the-game many of-them came over wanting to know what mistakes they made and asked for criticisms. Tney want to Improve. Every boy realized that mistakes were made and they are to improve them." Woodson added a tew words-" "We are farther along with our offensive guards, tackles and ends. In those we" are best advanced. Some of our backs didn't know the plays.

A of -weaknesses popped We'll do 1 much -work week In groups. group going" over to Angelec Saturday for a wlUi XI jUnJor col- lege. We will use players we want to play a lot andi experience." Towncatg were a bit reluctant to ask Woodsou questions at the of his talk. Gayle Towncat president, warned the Arizona coach that- he wouldn't get off so easy all the time, especially after a loss, that he'll (Woodson) be up to as late as 3 in the afternoon. Frank Drachman gave a report of the membership drive and announced that Tony Lerua hail won first place with Ernie Sayre and Leo These three men have a choice of making any; Arizona road trip this fall.

Other Jack Lauver, Ed Bayse and Moss Kelley. Out at the practice field sent his squad through a light scrimmage yesterday afternooiC Dick Christiansen, injured end, rejoined the squadC and took part in the workout Dave out because of scholastic difficulties, should rtjofir club around Oct i..

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