It's So

Boxing fans remember Joe Louis as a relentless stalker with dynamite in his punch, who held the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship for eleven years, defended it successfully 25 times. Two years ago, at 34, Joe made his final title defense against cautious Jersey Joe Walcott. He won by a knockout in eleven sluggish rounds while ringsiders shook their heads. Joe was slow and flabby; his bald spot was showing. Joe hung up his gloves.

But not for long; Joe could not hang on to money. Soon he was on the tank-town circuit, boxing "exhibitions" with local heroes. He joined a circus, talked occasionally of a comeback. Most of his friends and well-wishers were of one mind: "Say it ain't so, Joe." Last week Joe Louis said it was so. Harried by income-tax debts of about $200,000, Joe announced that he would fight again in September. His probable opponent: 29-year-old Ezzard Charles.

The news brought a comment from another once-great Negro fighter, who had been out of the headlines for a long time. Said Harry Wills, now a Harlem landlord: "Louis is crazy." Harry Wills was thinking of past performances. Five former heavyweight champions* had tried comebacks. All had failed.

* -- Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim Jeffries, Max Schmeling were all knocked out. Jack Dempsey was outpointed.

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