The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 10

BLYTHEVTLLE (ARK.) OOXIRIER HEWS APBIt Rumors Are Hovering Around Fight Camps By CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN CHICAGO (AP) An outbreak of rumors that Carl (Bobo) Olson has a head cold and feat Kid Gavilan has a sore right hand today failed to affect the odds on their championship brawl at Chicago Stadium tomorrow night. OJson, middleweight king making bis first title defense since clinch- Ing the crown with a 15-round decision over Randy Turpin last October, was a 3-2 favorite 6-5 Ringtime A week ago he was a 9-5 choice. Jh the meantime, Gavilan moved his training headquarters to Chicago. The slide in Qdds followed a normal course and should be 6-5. take your pick, by ring time.

It figures strictly a tossup, and getting behind a favorite is one of the hardest jobs boxing experts have had to do in years. Despite the phoney rumors, the clamlike Olson posed somewhat of a mystery on the eve of his biggest battle. Secret Hideout The balding, tattooed 160-pound champion, son of a federal na cotics agent in Honolulu, has fled to a secret hideout. He registered tinder an assumed name at a hotel on the city's far North Side. Before doing so, he was observed blowing his nose.

He did this perfectly human act after trotting around in the snow for his routine four miles of roadwork. Word got around he had a cold. Today, it can be told that Olson, weighing 160 pounds and confident he officially will hit about 159 tomorrow, is in his hideout pursuing his favorite gory detective stories. Momentarily, at least, he suffered a case of nerves, and he wants to be alone. Before he moved to his hideaway, he was hounded by reporters and photographers to the extent that he was overheard to exclaim: "I'm ready to blow my top." Meanwhile, welterweight champion Gavilan was his old, gay self.

He displayed his footwork for an audience that included Mario and Floria, a dance team currently appearing in Chicago. "He's the best mambo dancer in the country," enthused Mario. "Those legs, they are magnificent." The report that the Cuban Hawk had a sore right hand came out when he was seen dunking the mitt in a bucket of water. Also, he was observed dealing the cards in a poker game with his left hand and shaking hands while holding his right in abeyance. $12,000 Per Week "He always soaks both hands in brine to toughen them up," said his manager, Angei Lopez.

"He can deal cards and shake hands with either his left or right, who cares?" Lopes disclosed that Gavilan will appear in a Las Vegas night club for $12,000 weekly starting Monday, if he beats Olson. The fight will be televised nationally by NBC, starting at 10 p.m., EST, with Chicago and a 100-mile surrounding area blacked out. Olson and Gavilan Will Retain Styles CHICAGO (AP) Both Bobo Olson and Kid Gavilan seem satisfied they are as ready as they'll ever be for their big fight and both are sticking with the techniques that brought them each a championship. Olson, the middleweight titleholder, ended ring drills for Friday's match with a five-round sparring session yesterday. Gav- lan, the welter champ, wll go a couple of final rounds today.

It's Olson's 160-pound title that is at stake in the nationally-televised (9 p. m. CST.) 15-rounder at Chicago Stadium. Sports Roundup Exhibitions Aren't Drawing in Florida By GAYLE TALBOT TAMPA, Fla. (AP) The big league ball clubs are so depressed by the skimpy crowds they are leaving behind them in Florida that some of them may cut their exhibition schedule within the state virtually in half next spring.

They might start their training later, too. Olson has reached a fine edge, say camp fine that Manager Sid Flaherty wants him to take only the lightest of exercises from here on out, to avoid overtraining. For just about the first time since he became a champion and found making the 147-pound welter- limit less than a joy, the Kid has no weight it's the seven or eight pounds he will spot Bobo. The Cuban senor is a sleek 153 and feeling so trim that he delayed a four-round workout for an hour and a half yesterday in favor of a poker game. Busy Attack Olson has made no secret of his intention to attack with the busy, aggressive tactics that earned him 54 victories in 60 fights and, next- to-the-last-time out, the world's championship in a bout with Randy Turpin.

"He can't keep me away," says Olson. "I've cornered better men than him on the ropes." Gayilan, on the other hand, is TAKING A Anderson, No. 28, gives it the "Look no hands or feet" business as he takes first place the 200- meter pentathlon dash in Pan-American games at Mexico City. Alfaro Parra of ColQmbit, finishing in orthodox style, is clow second. (NEA) Detroit Is First Team to Trim Ducat Prices; Others Will Wait NEW YORK OP) The Detroi Tigers today became the first ma- ior league baseball club to reduce over-all price of tickets as the result of the cut in federal excise axes.

The Brooklyn Dodgers reduced the price of a bleacher seat from 60 to 50 cents but made no change in the others. The Tigers, however, went right down the line shortly after President Eisenhower signed a bill reducing the tax on some admissions in half and eliminating it entirely on others. New Prices Walter O. (Spike) Briggs, president of the Detroit club, approved a price range of 65 cents for a bleacher seat to $2.30 for a box seat. The previous scale was 75 cents to $2.50.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Braves, with an advance sale of veil over one million tickets, shut down all advance sale operations. "We're awaiting clarification," explained Executive Vice Presidenl Joseph Cairnes. "Until we find out just what the government is going confident he can make Olson fight at Jong his well- known flurries pay off. "You think I'm going to fight his fight?" he demanded "I won't let him stay in close. I keep him away with these (holding his arms out)." The Kid says he doesn't think Bobo can punch very hard and is not worried that the bigger man can hurt is if Bobo is able to hit him.

The cluster of eight teams based within 50 miles of tijis cigar center have not, in the vjords of one baseball official, "drawn flies." Only the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees, playing their home games in the tourist city of St. Petersburg, drew a few big gates on this coast, and then only because of a late visit by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Others Staved The others have starved. There were days here when the Cincinnati Dedlegs and Chicago White Sox played to outpourings of 300 or 400 fans and only broke about after paying off the park employ- es.

On week days the citizens of Tampa are at work, and the same is mainly true of several other towns. Tourists and retired settlers from the North have noticeably held onto their money this spring. Only 11 in '55? The White Sox, who moved to Florida this year after a long stay in California, are anxious to do something about drastically cutting down the exhibitions next spring. They had 21 scheduled next spring and manager Paul Richards is suggesting strongly to his fellow pilots that the number be reduced to 11 next year. In his note to other clubs based in this vicinity, Richards suggests that pitchers and rookies do not report until March 1, some 10 days later than this year, and that the regulars show up on March 7.

He would play the first exhibitions March 12, six days later than this year. 'I Get Hock Tells Press SHREVEPORT, La. (JP) Stan Hack, declaring he has become a tougher taskmaster with each passing year, today took charge as new manager of the Chicago Cubs after rain washed out yesterday's game and delayed his debut. I first started managing six years ago it was said I would not be good at it because I was too easy going," said Hack, former Cub third baseman who piloted several of the club's farm teams before replacing Phil Cavarretta at the helm. "I've noticed myself becoming a tougher taskmaster with each passing year.

I'm a tough guy on the after-hours fellows, and I never lose any time telling them about it." La Marr Miller, 15-year-old boy, is the youngest ever to bowl a 300 game in American Bowling Congress sanctioned competition. The oldest member of his team is 17. Their average is 806. W7iy more men choose Jarman every season In these finer shoes Jarman promises you distinctive, top-quality styling and extra comfort, exclusive features that make you look smarter better. Because this promise is constantly fulfilled, men across America insist on Jarman shoes season after season.

We have the newest Jarman styles in your size and width. Try a pair, today. rOUft FftfENDlY SHOi STOftf to require of us in the matter of refunds and the reprinting of tickets, we're not going to sell any more." Wait and See Most of the other clubs adopted a wait and see attitude but acknowledged the government had thrown a monkey wrench into their fiscal operations. "It poses big problem for us," said Commissioner Ford Frick. "The fan who paid for his tickets in.

advance has been charged a 20 per cent tax. Does the government keep this, or does 10 per cent go back to the buyer?" George Trautman, president of the minor leagues, said the 10 per cent cut would be a boost to the game. "In my judgment the difference could mean the balance between survival and the death of many clubs," he said. Roberts' Fear in Phillie Hearts By BEN OLAN Attociated Press Writer Even the most ardent rooter for the Philadelphia Phillies wfll concede that an effective Robin Roberts, the club hasn't a ghost of a chance of winning the National League pennant. And Mr.

Roberts' showing this spring can hardly be described as effective. Just what, if anything, is bothering the strapping right-hander hasn't been determined. Maybe it's the heavy work (347 innings) he put in last season. Or could be he's just pacing himself. At any rate, Roberts is a far cry from the fireball- ing pitcher who won 107 games in his last five National League seasons.

Rapped Hard Yesterday, tne native of Springfield, went the route for the first time this spring, but he was raked for 13 hits as the Phillies dropped a 7-2 decision to the Detroit Tigers. The time before that (March 27), he was shelled from the mound in the fourth inning after he had yielded seven runs to the Chicago White Sox. His over-all exhibition record is 0-3, which could augur a disappointing campaign for the 23-game winner of 1953. Still Need Roberts The Phillies are said to have strengthened their pitching staff with the acquisition of Murry Dickson and Johnny Lindell from Pittsburgh. Curt Simmons and Jim Konstanty have looked good in recent outings, but if Manager Steve O'Neill can't count on Roberts for at least 20 victories, the Phillies likely would settle for fourth place right now.

First baseman Charley Kress was the big gun in the Detroit attack yesterday, blasting one of Roberts' pitches over the center field fence with two mates aboard in the fourth inning. Staley Shines Gerry Staley, another of the National League's star right-handers, fared better than Roberts yesterday. He gave up only two hits in seven innings as the St. Louis Cardinals downed the Chicago White Sox 6-3. Al Brazle, ancient bullpen ace, preserved the Cards' third straight triumph and their I4th in 22 games by choking off a ninth-inning rally.

The New York Giants, who look more formidable every day, scored their ninth victory in 12 starts against the Cleveland Indians, 4-2. The Tribe committed four errors. The Giants collected only four hits, but Willie Mays doubled home the first run and Don Mueller singled in two more, all in the opening frame. Worst Yankee Year Ending their worst Florida showing in the six years under Casey Stengel's regime, the New York Yankees dropped a 9-3 decision to the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates. The loss was the 16th in 24 games for the world champions.

The Pirates put the game out of reach in the first inning when they scored five times against lefty Bob Wiesler. Gil Hodges' homer sparked a 12- hit Brooklyn attack as the Dodgers whipped the Milwaukee Braves 107. The game was called at the end of the eighth to permit the clubs to make a train. Eddie Mathews and Johnny Logan each homered twice for the Braves. The improving Washington Senators broke loose for five runs in the sixth frame- to defeat the Cincinnati Redlegs 9-2.

Tom Wright, recently secured from the White Sox, homered during the big inning. Ford Konno After Titles Hawaiian Couldn't Compete NEW HAVEN, Conn. How much has Ohio State University swimming ace Ford Koww improved in two years? There could be an answer to that question tonight when the National AAU Men's Indoor Swimming Championships get under way in Yale's Payne Whitney Gymnasium pool. Konno is heavily favored to take the title but what wifl his time be? Two years ago he took the AAU grind in 18:47.7. (He wasn't entered last year because of an illness.) But he swam the distance on March 4 in 18:20.8 to win the Big Ten title and last week had his time down to 18:14.4, when he won the NCAA championship at Syracuse, N.

Y. The event opens the three-day swims tonight and Konno's chief rival seems to be Bill Yorzyk of Springfield College, the New England champion who was runner-up to Konno in Syracuse. About 200 of the nation's top swimmers, collegiate and other- 1 wise, are entered in the championships. FIRST from Border-to-Border THE WHISKY THAT KENTUCKY WHISKIES FAMOUS $469 1334 '1 JPint I FIRST from Coast-to-Coast! Because nationwide leadership is the natural reward for excep-; tional quality, Early Times now outsells all other straight whiskies in America at any price. It's every ounce a man's whisky-bottled at the peak of perfection-enjoyed at the peak of flavor.

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