GREAT RING BATTLES
THE NIGHT WHEN
WALLY THOM'S
THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1957.
HEART
KNEW NO MERCY
By HAROLD
MAYES
Cuts, cuts, and more cuts. For years Wally Thom, the sandy-haired Birken- head southpaw welterweight, made light of eye injuries which would have disheartened many a lesser fighter, even though they cast him many a verdict.
He was so successful in his determination to overcome the handicap that ho won a Lonsdale Belt outright, in spite of once losing his British tille.
Was
Famous Sports Stars I Have Met
JACK BLOOMFIELD By Archio Quick Down In alinny
Exclusive Eestbourne, " former British Heavyweight Champion is living) out the evening of his days, Jack Bloomfield is not an old man, by any means, but he is a very alek mun.
|
ALEC STOCK
SAYS 'NO' TO £20,000
Mr Alce Stock, mercurial manager of a football team deep in the heart of East London, the other day turned down a £20,000-plus chance of running a fashionable club in sunny Italy,
The Italian club Roma want him as their conch, Their first bait; £10,000-in-two-years, plus a flat for him" and his family. Why has Stock, sometime with Arsenal who now manages the Second Division club Leyton Orient, rejected both offers?
never been
It was Mrs Marjcyle Sicek. "Pvc
Abrord- dasit-haired, In her mid-30s, except to Jersey," she added. "I who spake chout the reasons don't know whether I would recently. In thele five-roomed, like it.” semi-detached homo in Wood- ford Green, Essex, she said:
"Alec is not the type of man to make a decision on his own.
with me.
This tall, handsome Jcw, with his piercing eyes and mate of black hair, was once thought to be the man to bring the World's Naturally he discussed this offer on top at the end of the ressjon Championship buck lo Great with shouts of "Come on, Wally" | Britain. After a sdlid apprentice- coming from all over the orean, i ship is a cruiserweight, he won By this time the crowd was the 12st. 7lbs British title and thinking in terms of interna en proceeded to mop up the tiona! conquest as well a of current
heavyweights. Joe Beckett's crown seemed certain victory for their own boy.
to pars to him.
A really honest workman, hey nut of trouble AS much อม How surprised he was when
usually underrated as a possible.
Thom hit back to drive him champion because his suspect
On the night of August 25. right across the ing, to be will vyebrows never allowed him to 1954, however, it was different, sun up a long string of victories Herdly had the Arsi round at any time during his begun wiver-bawat In went Thom can Lavpine's head, and Thom faced Inok back in retirement on one the prospect of going 15 rounds contest whlein brought him a
with a split eyebrow. Gilfered vial: title because he eyes.
year care07,
But
"It is something I hope he will remember in tre new ring career l is trying to carve cul Jor himself as a referce,
Was it any wonder that for the next few rounds he showed extreme ecution?
But even as le gld so, the The initial steps he has takto į keyed-up, crowd, filmest In that
suggest he's clusively Them supporters, at direction going to be a good 'un, but there Phervously on the edges of their are times when referees stop ai rezis, Ic it looket contest too early becasue of a¦ Lavoine was hiding his time for cut eye.
the chance to land one power. pinch and finish it.
They can also take a mistake the other way.
Then knows all about that situation because
were there times when he might have gone) on ใก win without serinus damage, just as he did in this contest which comes into the
strange-but-true category,
THRILLING BOUT It never offered the prospect of being more than just another contest, yet it proved to be as tirling a boul
was ever
flaged at Liverpool Stadhu und that's saying something.
The knowledgonilg Mergey- about look the
vide fana just
100g
25
if
The fenced-up spectators ex- pegled the worst but hoped for ibe besl
They appreciated the Brian's caution, but each time he tried to cut loose they cheered him to the celo, leaving no doubt that they realised, just as much as Them. that the chances of him
distance with going the
Eye Injury worsening! remote,
The
RESTLESS
crowd's
a
|
ed as
Thom really laced into his 1 in the ninth, when he look. it he realised that the chances of the eye injury hold- Ing out much longer rapidly receding.
HIS HANDIWORK
were
The Frenchman wilted. Then, as if to tense, his supporters, Thon room to admire his handiwork instead of going In to finish the job.
Cinthe bell went for the tenth, and one wondered how many of the weaker liearts: around the ringside would be able to stand the constant changes of fortune,
Oner, again Thom went fo
work. Would he have victory in were his grasp once more, and then let 11, shy from him as he had done in the preceding round?
urging end. Foof off the building when Thai,m's own very real spre tion of the situation ind indinger of defeat any second: because of his injuries, halte harked effect on what was to Frenchinan Gilbert follow. Suddenly the normally Lavoine to stip him of his rareful Birkenhead mun begi European Championship.
to realise this could've his A match between two south-† night. pows dougnt sound the kind of
Testless. without light made for thrills, does it, particularly if it happens to less, he started to have been hanging
te: course of the fight, Inonths?
Yet this contest, which hadn't any pull, became no that those who watch it are scarcely likely to forget.
I shall not readily forget the Ight, as the contest reached its most dramatic stages, of the well-dressed woman AL the ringside,
being rock- change the e display
ed versatility, pugching power beyond that normally expected from him, and, slave, willingness to tride blows with a man who ecula waltop.
ell a
He mixed his right-hand leads cleverly. He scored repeatedly with crushing lefts to the body and beautiful hebts to the face. She might have been sitting was curtiually mounting, and, under the caulis that there mustively. She might have been hiding her face he was the heayler-punching cause of the blood-far there | Lavdine who was always fret to was plenty of it.
break ground:
HALF CROUCHING,
TIGERISH
that
But, instead, she was standing I home more and more on her scal, in a half-erouched | obvious at the ringside position to prevent obstructing rybine was not relishing the the view of spectators, behind strength
her.
Pumping her armis in a series of well-delivered hooks, she beat the Bir as she yelled in a sheili Voice "Come on,' come on, Beitain".
Wally's hitting, particularly his short, well- directed left hands to the body.
Always, however, the danger lorica," Just one punch on that damaged eye ad all
Them's efforts would be in vain.. Lavoine, the - blac-chinned, He knew it without forbidding-looking Frenchman, doubt, and the knowledge of it, was a man with a power wallpm sure, gave He had been tangling with urgency
any.
him that sense which fur once
iniddleweights, and making turned a normally placed, ring pretty fair job of it.
At the same time, however, man into Bgerish performer.
like the wounded animal fighting he had been making a success- ful job of trying to avoid Thom, for its continued existence,
liceause he didn't fancy the kita Tho was not the only man of Bghting in Britain.
When he found he had 16, knew he was
who realised it though. Lavoine however, he checked on his op-more than a chance, and, in the In there with ponent's weakness, und went out eighth, he showed he was ready from the first bell to play on it to go ferwyrd at Lake what was - Thôn_obviously ferret eui eys;
Even thougif the actual coming man. effort to land a hjuries never worrie him inisher..
was, naturally, always haunted te stabbed his right hand by the knowledge, that referees | Wads into Thom's face as the regarded the infurie, a good deal Birkenhead man retreated ἐρ Juore seriously than he did. the opti Then he slammed Usually on those acensions he home a powerful left to the used his ringeraft to keep him mid-section.
THE.
WEEKEND
GAMBOLS
THAT 9449 VERY NICE DARLING
ITH A LONG TIME SINCE WE HAD SALMON FOR DINNER
|
Then he was matched. with "Bombardier" Billy Wells-and tragedy stalked. Jack knocked his man out and picked him up and carried him to his corner. Alas, the porting gesture cost him his career, for he suffered a hernia, and was never the same fighter afterwards.
MEETING PLACE
A GARDEN
"I would never stand in the way of Alce's earcer. But one cannot just go abroad and leave everything.
"There are the children-ard other d'Meulties.
"I don't like flats. They are not for children. They want garden
Answers To
Sports Quiz
1. Christine Truman in both cases. She is 10 years old and 5ft 11in tall.
In business, however, he pre- West spered, and his pre-war
Leicester End tavern Just off
meeting Square was the some
Jack place of the famous as York. Stage, screen, journullsm.3. Dempsey's is on Broadway, New
all the sports were represented by the characters who converged
on. "Jack
Champlon boxers,
Bloomfeld's Pince" cricketers golfers,
footballers, athletes, snpoker players, actors, actresses Tis time, there was no iel-up. ard comedians. were two-a- If anew Jun what he was penny there. doing as he pouret In the punches with both hands, never Again fate
lapping to see how or where they were going..
Then, with the round having Just passed the half-way mark, the white-haired Swedish ro fore, kindly-looking Arthur Bon, stepped between them to save Lavoine from imminent from man total destruction whose heart knew no mercy
For me that was Theni's And shalt, al- greatest fight. ways believe that the man who lost so many, ring battles be- cause of cut eyes won this one
for the same ressor.
Next Article: How Peter Keenan stamined his way to vic- Jake Tull in the "battle of a 101y over the little Zulu,
cusand culs."
I Early English port
2 Yorkshire town
struck. The hostelry sustained a direct hit in the blitz, and it is only just recently that there is falk of it Down at East- being re-built. hourne, Jack told me that he did not think he, himself, would to return ever be fit enough there. "I am ill enough, without having to live with memories",
he said.
2.
Rome in 1960. A. I. Kardar in 1054
Y
Mrs Stock-fociball is not my business"-in a Leyton fan. She often aces their games.
When
Alec Stock returned
from Rome after *the first
negotiation with millionaire club Rem he emphasised: "I had to talk things over, with my wife. She hes to decide whether it is a good thing for herself and our daughters.”
A ROW
After the rejection, a ot between
new
other day's wordy row broke
Roma's agent, and Mr
Gigi Peronace,
Harry Zussman, The Shoreditch, London, boot and shoe manu- ftoturer who is Leyton Orlent chairman.
Signor Peronace alleged that Mr Zussman had asked him for a transfer fee for Stackt.
"Ludicrous, just ludicrous- though it
btd would not be a
Stock
idea," was Mr Zussman's reply.
In a
prepared statement Signer Peronace said: **Roma think 1 doctment Mr signed in Italy is
2 lcgal document. I am sending The president, and facts to the Roma he may ask the English FA, 10 Dolly intervene."
4. Steeplechosing. A famous
Jockey,
American
Byers won more than steeplechases,
5. Melbourne in 1877.
150
Referring to the document Mr Zussman' said:
"I have n
6. Mise Charlotte Dodd who | Spy in front of me. Alec signed it, but it does not say anything won the ladies' singles in about it being a contract."
1887 at the age of 15.
7. Florence Chadwick, of the
United States in 1051.
8. He won le in 1037 at the
age of 23.
..
9. W. G. Grace, E. M. Grace and G. F. Grace played for England in the Oval Test of 1880.
10,
Sonju Henie. She won le len times from 1927 to 1930.
Ghosts would certainly walk if the inn were re-opened. Bloomfield went to Torquay Was the one bright deed I ever- after being blitzed out, but again ; did, and have I paid for ii!"
bomb dropped, and he suffer- Even the Americans thought ed shock, "And to think-il all Bloomfield had a chance to lift started through picking
the World Championship, and it Wells," be added. "I never eim- was one of the dark nights for ed to do anything sporting like British boxing
of when, out that in my fights. I generally | charnoter, he spontaneously kuceked them out and left them; executed the cavaller deed which to their seconds. You can say it was to wreck his boxing life,
NAMESAKES
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fil.
`in the ・ spaces, against each of the clues below with a word related to my life. The letters in circles Spell out ทบ name,
Who am
Wi
R
R:
3 Port
4 Ritucla
5 English county
G Steep faces
'Place of worship
រប
# Aselle perhaps
IN
H
9 Plous
10 Command
11 In, church or
'Solution on Back Paze
. Commons?
by Barry Applebor
HOW MUCH WAS IT ?
IF YOU'LL CIT DOWN ASAIN GEORGE, F'LL TELL YOU!
קט
BE SPECIFIC
CATHAY PACIFIC
Smart People
Page I
MOCCONA
Instant Coffee
• Delicious Flavour -Tempting Aroms
Made from
a blend of the
choicest coffee beans.
100% PURE COFFEE
MOCCONA stant Offer
Sole Distributors:
THE FRIESLAND TRADING CO., LTD.
Holland House.
Now you can look fresh...young...alive!
Give your skin tone the color lift it needs with
Revlon Touch-and-Glow!"
Liquid Make-Up
Here is your glow, loveliest of all, and so naturally feminine!
Revlon Fouch-and-Glow" is a delicate touch, never caky or drying. This moisturizing liquid make-up has "Zanolite' to pamper skin, keep it dewy-fresh. So just "Touch-and-Clow'{
You've found the look you've been looking for!
Nobody knates you wear it but you!
ce
Available at all trading stores
Now in 9 vlog shades.
Fara pawder to atmonise
ATG-1-ico
da
DA
NO, GAVE
[NO! THAT'S, FINAL
[NO, I WILL NOT ARGUE
SALE
BUT HOW CAN YOu argue P YOU WON'T LISTEN TO WHAT WAS GOING TO SAY
STARTS
use
GAS
the Luxury
GIRARD PERREGAUX
... should have sent it by Pan American
CLIPPER CARG
is not beyond your reach
*T.M. Reg. FẠA
Page 10Page 11