Boxing | MMA betting odds

Take a bunch of kids, with little money, and lots of time. Put them on the street with nothing to do. Pretty soon the streets become a playground. And the kids, they are likely to become what we call juvenile deliquents. That’s what the Christmas Boxing Show at Friendly House is all about. It’s kids keeping active. And in the meantime the kids are earning money for more Friendly House activities that keep kids busy, having fun rather than making trouble for themselves.
This year the show is December 9 at 8 p.m. at the Friendly House. It’s the 18th annual show which will feature boxers from Friendly House and the Galion Com-munity Center in bouts against pugilists from other Ohio towns. The boxers have been attending conditioning and practice sessions for a month now. They meet four nights a week and do road-work on their own during the weekend. They are chosen to fight in the show only if they want to and if Matchmaker Paul Carbetta feels they are capable of boxing in the show. Fighting in the main bout of the show will be Eddie Williams, a 155 pounder. He’ll fight 151 – pound Fuzzy Fillinger of Columbus.
Eddie has f o u g h t  for Friendly House in two Christmas shows, winning one bout and losing the other. He started boxing after watching a friend working out; he decided he’d like to try it. He’s a senior at Mansfield Senior High School and coaches a Friendly House wrestling team for younger kids who will wrestle in inter – city-matches.
Booked for another fight will be Willie Tate. He’s also a senior at Mansfield Senior. He started boxing last year just after the holiday show and went on to win the Lorain novice Golden Gloves championship in the 160 – pound weight class. He’s had three amateur bouts and won two of them.
Willie had never boxed before coming to Mansfield from Alabama. “This will be my first Christmas Show,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work.” But apparently Willie remembers the satisfaction of winning the Lorain title. This year he may go further since he will have had longer to get into condition, plus more experience, prior to the competition. Howard Vance, last year’s Arkon novice Golden Glove champion in the 147 -pound class, is booked in a third holiday battle. He also started last year in November. Of four amateur bouts he’s won three, one knockout and two unanimous decisions. Howard is more verbal than his other boxing mates. He enjoys talking it up in the style of Cassius Clay. He takes a fair share of ribbing back from his friends, though. And that’s how Howard got started boxing. He talked it up to some friends who boxed. They asked him to show them instead of talking. So he did. Howard came to Mansfield after spending a year at Akron University. He works as a draftsman at Richland Engineering and intends to return to Akron or go to Mansfield – Ohio State to finish a degree in mechanical engineering.
One of the boxers from the Galion Community Center who will be on the card is Kenny Jones. His motivation to box comes from his father, who c o a c h e s the Galion contingent. His father also was an amateur boxer. Boxing is a highly competitive sport. It provides confidence as its reward for achievement. And this is what draws the boxers for the Christmas show.

Twice a week youngsters at Hahn Air Base get together to whale the stuffing out of each other  and they love every minute of it. The belters are boys 8 to 14, who are members of the base boxing club, started last October by M. Sgt. Harley Cooper. The young pugilists are in good hands with coaches like Cooper and T.Sgt. Manuel Netio. The two members of the 50th Combat Support Group also guide the base boxing team which holds three USAFE championships.
Cooper’s boy gladiators also seem to have the right touch  hard. In April, before 200 rabid rooters from the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn, they took on their first opponents, a tough Army-sponsored   team  from  Bremer haven. The Hahn kids won five of the seven bouts on the card. Cooper now hopes for an invitation to compete at Aachen on May 23 against German teams. The boxing program for the boys started out with 50 fledglings, but only 15 of this first batch of battlers are still slugging it out.
“Kids push their parents to let them get into boxing, but they soon weed themselves out,” Cooper observed as he supervised one of their strenuous workouts.
The 15 veterans make up what Cooper calls the “A” team. A second boxing class got under way the second week of April. With the help of the A team, Cooper is trying to forge a B team from the ranks of the newcomers. MAKING the team isn’t easy. First comes conditioning  lots and lots of it  to build up the neck, shoulders, stomach, thighs and legs. The conditioning never lets up. Every 90-minute workout in the base gym is preceded by a 1 1/2 mile run. Another mile of roadwork invariably follows the workout.

“It’s at least a month and a half after the program starts before the kids ever
get a glove on,” said Cooper. “We can do it this way with the little fellas but big guys would soon lose interest in this sort of training. They want to get right out there and box before they know how.” Cooper’s brand of training leans heavily on drilling fundamentals. The boys first are taught the boxing stance, then the left jab, and how to move with the jab. Next comes instruction in throwing the right. Finally, they are permitted to don the gloves, but are only allowed to throw left jabs. When Cooper is satisfied the youngsters have the punch down pat, he lets them start jabbing with the other hand. In due time, comes the hook. Cooper calls it the “hardest punch to throw.” Sparring starts after the kids have mastered the left and right jabs, but before they are taught the hook. Culmination of their training comes when they are taught to put together effective combinations. “It’s about 2,5 months before the boys know how to hit and are able to really hurt each other. By this time we have those who are going to stay in the program with us,” stated Cooper.
As a precaution against serious injury, Netio and Cooper insist that the boys always wear protective headgear and mouthpieces when boxing. (Editor’s note: on the day the sparring photos on these pages were taken, some of the boys skipped the protection but pulled their punches with the pillow-sized 16-ounce gloves.)
“We stop matches if one guy is really getting the best of another fellow,” Cooper explained. Ordinarily, workouts are conducted two nights a week with a step-up to three when a match or exhibition is in the offing.  Why does Cooper push the sport when he readily allows that boxing, especially pro fighting, is a “real tough racket” with plenty of aches and pains and only a little money and glory for the few at the top of the human heap? “I do it because boxing teaches kids self-defense, along with self-confidence. Kids who know  how  to  handle  themselves don’t have to go around proving anything — so you’ll have less trouble from them,” he feels.
The presence of two of his sons on the team attests to his faith in the sport. Any team member who gets caught bullying or picking on others is taught a lesson: He’s promptly kicked off the team with no ifs, ands or buts about it. Cooper plans to cycle a new boxing class every four months. Although there is no upper age limit, boys must be 8 years old to become bantam battlers. The boys choose their own club officers and raise their own funds. So far they have run three car washes to buy uniforms. Equipment, such as gloves and headgear, comes from the base boxing program. “So far we haven’t asked for any help,” Cooper said. “Having to raise their own funds teaches the kids character and that’s what it’s all about anyway.”

Buster Mathis who has dieted from 300 pounds down to 245 still would be just the 2nd heaviest man to win the world heavyweilght championship, if he
beats Joe Frazier Monday night in their closed circuit bout in the theater TV. Primo Carnera weighted 260 when he won the title from Jack Sharkey in 1933.
But boxing, in the heavyweight division, offers plenty of proof that a good little man may beat the bigger opponent.
Frazier will give away 37 pounds to his bulky foe Monday night, and he’s the 2-1 favorite to win at least partial recognition as the best of the heavyweights. Carnera once carried an 86-pound advantage over an overgrown lightheavyweight named Tommy Loughran in a title fight, and won by stepping on the feet of his smaller foe.
How about that, basketball fans? Jack Dempsey, generally acclaimed (except by the computer) as the greatest of all heavyweights, weighted 187 pounds to Jess Wllards 245 pounds, in that three-round massacre at Toledo. Joe Louis was outweighted by more than 50 pounds in his title bout with Abe Simon and by 35 and 40 pounds by Buddy Baer in his two title fights with the Baby Baer. Max Baer was almost 55 pounds lighter than Primo Carnera when Madcap Maxle kayoed the Ambling Alp for the title in 1934.

There won’t be any need to legislate against boxing because it will just about go out of business through its own inertia in the decade ahead. Except for a few scattered spots in the country, the sport has been losing ground steadily as a popular attraction, and will continue to do so.

The main rap against the one time “manly art” is lack of talent, the natural result of lack of production. There are no more of the regular amateur boxing shows, no more neighborhood clubs that used to produce fighters who, if they did not become world champions, at least grew into top flight performers with world-wide regard.
Sparkling and appealing personalities and performers are notoriously non-existent, and the setup as it stands now doesn’t seem to assure replacement for the likes of Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano or Ray Robinson, to name a few of the more illustrious names of the not too distant past.

All of those men, like their contemporaries, had to go through tough apprenticeships, something the boys of today don’t want to do. And even if they did, there are few places for them in which to work and learn. Gone are the Broadway Arena, the St. Nicholas Arena, the Star Casino, the Ridge-wood Grove and other similar places in New York, where, a generation ago, there was action every week from Monday through Saturday.
We don’t want to be sectional about this. The same thing holds throughout the country except for the Los Angeles area, where the large Mexican population is enthusiastic enough to warrant regular promotions. But on the overall, the future of major boxing will be in countries such as Thailand, Japan and the Philippines, where the agility of the smaller fighters appeals to the populace, and in France and Italy, where ruggedness and fair skill are appreciated.
In one respect boxing will turn full cycle. A hundred years ago it was not uncommon for fights to be held on barges, before a handful of betting onlookers. It is reasonably certain that the plan once expressed by Mike Jacobs, the great promoter of the Joe Louis era, will be put into effect. That is, fights will be held in the confined areas of television studios before a few electronics moguls whose interests in the proceedings will be of much greater financial stakes than those of the betting gentry of a century ago. That is, they will be held if sufficiently attractive matches can be presented for enormous sponsor-fees. But for the sincere boxing fan, it is doubtful if he will ever see, go through the divisions, another Frankie Genaro, Johnny Dundee, Benny Leonard, Mickey Walker, Ray Robinson, Tommy Loughran or, to name the man many consider the greatest, Jack Dempsey.

Shields irked
RONNIE SHIELDS look a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The stutter that accompanied most of his utterances as a child it barely noticeable now Only when be gets excited or perturbed does he have any problem spitting things right out.
After Shields let out the breath. collected himself somewhat, he said. “I just wish they would get better organized. Somebody went to sleep ”
Shields, an 18-year-old light welter weight from Port Arthur, was speaking if somebody in the hierarchy of the U S. Olympic Boxing Committee. And he had a right to be mad.
“I don’t think it would be asking too much for thtm to notify os when we are going to fight. This rushing into everything doesn’t help you win fights,” said Shields.
The “rushing into everything” Shields was referring to concerned his last two ring appearances. He was misinformed about the dates of the Olympic Boxing Trials in Cincinnati and lost in his first fight to eventual winner Ray Leonard of Palmer Part. Md
“I’m not saying that I could have gone out there and killed Ray if I would have had the extra week to tram. But it would have been better for me to really get in shape for the trials. Who knows what might have happened?” questioned Shields.
-:Losing to the fighter many U S. boxing experts feel has the best chance of winning a gold medal in Montreal. was easier to stomach for Shields than his last loss
, It was almost an Instant replay of his loss to Leonard as far as preparation was concerned. “The fights in England were supposed to be on June 12 and 13. When i didn’t hear from anybody i thought I wasn’t going to make the trip. So i slacked off my training.’ said Shields.
Loses two bouts
THEN ON Monday. June H Ronnie gets a call bright and early at eight in the morning “Thai guy tU me I’ve got two hours to pack my bag and get to Houston to catch a flight to nuke the plane going to London. It almost was impossible to pack that fast but somehow I managed.” said Shields.
The American team that fought in Undon lost six of it bouts. Shields lost to Clinton McKenzie. supposedly England s best light welterweight, on a split decision.
One Judge had Shields winning the bout but two other officials scored the bout a St-St draw but gave McKentie a “plus” for finishing strong.
Man! That’s the first time I ever remember losing two fights back to back My coach told rue he thought i won the right. I almost took the English guy out in the first but i got a standing eight count in the second for no reason. Sure.
Darden McKenzie hit me solid but it didn’t even stun me. I lost the third round because J got a little tired. Things like that happen to you when you don’t have the op portunity to train right,” said Shields.
Despite the two setbacks that dipped his record to 124-14. Shields claimed that he learned a lot about boxing on both trips.
“Ray Leonard showed me something about my jab that ought to help me. Vif got to be pretty good friends. He told me I was the only guy he was worried about That made me feel good.” said Shields.
In England Ronnte learned a lesson that almost every athlete that has to compete away from home learns sooner or later. “Man! When you fight the hometown hero you’d better nearly kill him or you won’t win the fight. I looked at all 11 fights we had over there and I really think the L. S got rooked The U. S, judges were trying to be too fair. i think. The English fighters got away with a lot of dirty stuff.” pointed out Sh-
Learned lesson
SHIELDS STILL has reaped some rewards from his trips as an amateur boxer. He so impressed U.S. Olympic Boxing officials that he was chosen to fight in a pre-Olympic junior tournament that begins Friday in Montreal.
“I’m really excited about making the trip to the Olympic Village. We’ll be fighting guys aged 16-19 from Canada. Britain and Puerto Rico, it really ought to be a good tournament.” said Shields.
The two-time national Golden Gloves champion still has hopes of being named to the U S Olympic team as an alternate. “Id like” to be able to do some looking around up in Canada. All the guys had a real good time in England. We saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and even visited an old castle. They gave everybody on the team a real nice plaque. I had a pretty good time even though I didn’t win my fight.” noted Shields.
Should Shields fail to win a berth as an alternate, he plans on keeping his amateur status The thought of turning pro hasn’t ever crossed his mind.
“You can’t make any real money unless you are a heavyweight. I enjoy boxing and i enjoy working with other kids, teaching them. It wouldn’t be out of the question for me to hang around until the 1990 Olympics. Id like to do that.” said Shields.
Right now Ronnie is trying to decide on whether to enter college or get a job. “I really don’t know what i should do It’s going to take me a while to decide. I kinda would like to at least try Lamar.” said Shields
Since he’s now made three trips abroad to represent this country in boxing. Ronnie figures he’ll get to take more trips in the future.
How will he be ready for the “hurry up” type calls he usually receives?
“That’s easy” smiles Shields. “Now I’ve got a bag al) packed. I’m going to keep one that way from now on”

Don King Hires Rudd
Irving Rudd, a New York publicity man for 40 years, Thursday was named public relations director for Don King Productions.
King’s main venture is boxing promotion. Rudd previously held posts with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Yonkers Raceway and New York’s Off – Track Betting Corp.

Legality of betting unknown
The Illinois Appellate Court Wednesday refused to rule on the legality of horse race off-track betting messenger services in the state.
In refusing a request by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office for a ruling on the legality of the services, the court said the case presented it was simply an appeal from an arrest and “we are bound to consider only the indictment (charge) itself.”

Frazier fighting son
Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier will fight a four-round exhibition bout against his son, Joe Jr., 16, as part of a boxing program Friday night at War Memorial Auditorium here, it was announced Wednesday.

‘Why go back?’ Ali says he’s done
Muhammad Ali insisted Wednesday one more time his boxing days are over and said, “The worst thing I could do would be to go back into the ring.
“Why go back?” asked the heavyweight champion, who last week unretired for the umpteenth time before a scheduled bonanza with Duane Bobick fell through. “I got out of boxing with my looks and my brains intact. I’m a movie star. And, I have a few million dollars in taxfree bonds.”
Ali appeared at a news conference along with baseball’s home run champion Hank Aaron to promote a local, blackowned hotel, a new sports Hall of Fame, and his movie, “The Greatest.”
State Sen. Leroy Johnson, one of the owners of the hotel, introduced the pair as, “two of the greatest sluggers in the world Hank at the plate and Muhammad Ali in the ring.”
“It’s hard to be humble when you are the greatest like we are,” quipped Ali. Ali was asked if he might return to boxing in some other capacity than a fighter.
“I’m 35,” he said. “I’ve got about 20 years to do what I want to do. I don’t want to spend those years in some smelly gym teaching someone else how to box.

“Now that I’m out of boxing, I want to do something to help solve our racial problems, and God,” said Ali. “I don’t want to be like Howard Hughes, get $2 billion and only have two people come to my funeral.”
Ali said he is finding acting, “a snap. You know I’m a good actor, I fooled you people for 10 years. I’m not really cocky. I’m a humble fellow. I had to act like that to sell tickets.”
Muhammad Ali disclosed Wednesday that after he fought Jerry Quarry here in Atlanta Oct. 26, 1970 in his first fight in more than three years Johnson’s house was shot at and there were a number of threatening telephone calls.
“I never told this before,” he said. “But, after that night after the fight here’, some rednecks drove past Sen. Johnson’s house and fired shots. There were calls telling me I’d better get out of town if I wanted to stay alive.”

Heavy betting on Muhammad Ali has improved the odds on challenger Ken Norton for their Sept.28 heavyweight boxing title fight, bookmakers said Tuesday, The Sahara Tahbe Race and Sports Book said odds on Ali, set earlier at 1 to 2, were now 5 to 11, meaning a bet of 511 would win the original bet plus $5. World lightweight boxing champion Esteban de Jesus is expected to give a sworn statement Thursday in connection with a case under investigation by Puerto Rico police … Officials refused to give details of the case, but it is known that de Jesus was being sought in connection with a $39,000 cheque delivered to a couple arrested on an unspecified drug charge.