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y Durando Predicts KO Over Kilgore New Jersey Scrapper Rated Solid Choice in Tonights Ten Round Television Bout By ROLAND DOPSON United Press Sports Writer MIAMI BEACH, Fla., June 8. Ernie "The Rock" Durando of Bayonne, N. J., who claims a "murderous" left hook and "dynamite" in his right, said today he expected to knock out Billy Kilgore in the fifth round of their nationally televised and broadcast 10 -round bout here Wednesday night. v Durando, a middleweight slugger with little fight finesse, has 27 knockouts in the 37 fights he has won. Most of the KOs Were accomplished with a left hook after wearing his opponent down with the right. Thats the plan he hopes to follow against methodical-punching Kilgore, the Miami ring veteran. "Im going for the one good punch and I believe I can land it. by the fifth round," Durando said. "If it lands, that will be all for Kilgore." Lou Paico, his manager, said Durando would wear down Kilgore with body blows and knock him out "in one of the late rounds." But Kilgore doesnt wear down so easily, according to manager Len McMillen. ERNIE DURANDO "Walter Cartier and Jake LaMotta Were beating his body," McMillen said, "but as hard as they punched they didnt slow down Billy. You know he hasnt been stopped in a long time." He referred to the fight on October 28, 1952, when Willie Troy halted Kilgore in seven rounds. Kilgore said he would jab, look for his openings and win a decision over the distance. "I would be foolish to stand up there and slug it out toe-to-toe with Durando," Kilgore added. Durandos knockout punch made him a 2Y2 to 1 favorite to whip Kilgore. Durando originally was scheduled to face LaMotta Wednesday night but the Bronx bull announced his retirement only a week before the fight and Kilgore was hurriedly substituted. Kilgore whipped LaMotta before the television cameras here two months ago. Durando has fought only twice this year, losing to Rocky Castellani and knocking out Red Olla. He has an ail-time record of 37 victories, 16 losses and four draws. Kilgore has 26 wins, 15 losses and four draws. Durando expects to weigh about 160 and Kilgore 163. Promoter Chris Dundee, who estimates an attendance of 3,000 and a gate of ,000, said the winner would fight middleweight champion Bobo Olson in San Francisco next month in a non-title affair.
