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SANDY SADDLER— featherweight champion flew to Argentina for a five-week campaign in that and other South American countries. | Charles Confident As Bout Date Nears Champion of Opinion Hell -Whip Maxim in Eighth Title Defense Here on Wednesday By ED SAINSBURY United Press Sports Writer Heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles was calmly confident Saturday that he would successfully defeat Joey Maxim Wednesday in his eighth defense of his title. "Yes, Ive read where hes changed his style," Charles said, "but maybe that will make it easier for me. I dont know. A lot of fighters might change their style, but its harder for them not to make mistakes then. "I wont say that Ill knock him out, but Im going to be trying to do it just as quick as I can." Both scrappers anticipate a knockout ending, but it was unlikely they were right. Three times previously their battles ended in decisions, and three times they went to Charles. But for this one Maxim said he was "going to knock him out or get knocked out." The light heavyweight titleholder has worked to develop his right hand along with a bobbing weaving style. The result, be believed, was a two-fisted attack would make the difference for him to win. The ballyhoo build-up for the battle has worked toward a peak, with Maxims handlers emphasizing his top condition and increased punching power. Mintz Worried However, Charles manage r, Jake Mintz, | professed worry over the champions ! progress. • "He was awful bad for a while," Jake moaned, "but he seems to be a little better now. He ought to be ready for the fight, but he hasnt been working right." Trainer Ray Arcel disputed Mintz fears. ! - "Charles is the kind of fighter that will deliberately look bad," Arcel said. "If he thinks looking bad will worry Jake, hell work to look bad. But hes coming along now. He does everything I tell him and he knows whats right and just does it without being told." Mintz was sure though that Charles would win, no matter how bad he may look in training. "Hes defended his title seven times," Mintz said, "and he knocked out six of them. The only fighter to go all the way with him was Joe Louis. Maybe Maxim will be able to say the same, but "thats all." Charles was 7 to 2 favorite. Although the odds may change by fight time, there was little doubt the Cincinnati Negro would still be the choice when the battle begins. The fight will be televised and broadcast,, starting at 9 p. m. CDT, and television money will be a gigantic addition to the purse for both contestants. The sponsor paid .00,000 for rights, with Charles to receive 0,000 and Maxim, 0,000. However, it appeared that the video would cut heavily into attendance and a crowd of not more than 15,000 was ex- pected for the scrap, with a net running somewhere over 00,000.
