view raw text
Giardello Choice Over Jones Tonight Battle Ten Rounds J In Television Bout Winner Would Boost Stock As Olsons October Foe For 160-Pound Ring Title NEW YORK, -N. Y., June 10 UP. Joey Giardello of Philadelphia was favored at 12-5 today to beat Bobby Jones of Oakland, Calif., Friday night in their battle of middleweight contenders at Madison Square Garden. This is the bout for which Jones refused an offer of 5,000 to "throw." In the nationally televised and broadcast 10-rounder, young Giardello will try to get bade2 his rating as top contender, and practically clinch an October title bout. Joey dropped to second place when he lost his last bout to Frenchman Pierre Lang-lois on May 21. Before the Langlois upset, Giardello was top contender because of. five straight victories. They included this years three consecutive kayoes over Garth Panter, Walter Cartier and Willie Troy. Much at Stake The odds-makers figured 23 -year-old Joey would return to winning form Friday night when so much is at stake. Nevertheless, he faces a dangerous opponent in the fifth-ranked, West Coast Negro, who is perhaps the cleverest man in the 160-pound division, although a comparatively light puncher. Jones, 28,. could boost himself in the rankings and earn consideration as a possible October challenger for Bobo Olsons title if Bobo defends successfully against top-rated Rocky Castellani at San Francisco in August, as expected. Honest Willier was offered 5,000 last week to throw the fight. Instead of accepting the bribe, he and his eastern representative, Bobby Melnick, reported the offer to the proper authorities, and at least two of the conspirators were nabbed. Jones is an aggressive "smoothie" who slides in under an opponents blows and delivers countering barrages at close quarters. His best punch is a "sneak" right to j the head. In his last bout he stopped the once- j promising Gil Turner Of Philadelphia in the tenth round. That TKO on April 19 was in a return match. Bobby had outpointed Turner on March 10. Those two scraps were the only ones Jones had this year. They brought his total record to 37-19-8, including five kayoes. He has been stopped four times. Giardello was stopped twice in 1950, by Carey Mace and Harold Green. His total record is 49-11-5, including 17 kayoes. He is an excellent left-hooker. This year, he appeared to add power to his right. He is expected to scale about 160 pounds to Jones probable 155.
