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Charles Stakes Ring Future Tonight Takes On Holman In Return Match Ex-Heavyweight King Must Turn Tables on Chicagoan To Remain Title Contender CINCINNATI, Ohio, June 7 UP .— Here in his home town, Ezzard Charles will meet Johnny Holman of Chicago Wednesday night in a return TV-radio match that could be the "rise-up or hang-up" fight of the former heavyweight champions 16-year career. . . Charles, approaching 34* hopes to turn the tables on 27-year-old Holman, who stopped him in the ninth round at Miami Beach on April 27. That 5-1 upset was only the fourth kayo defeat in Ezzards 102 bouts. It dropped him to seventh among heavyweight contenders. "I want to knock out Holman and then fight my way back to another title shot with Rocky Marciano," the ex-champ said today. Ezzard is favored at 9-5 to register a comeback victory over Chicago Johnny in their scheduled 10-rounder at the Cincinnati Music Hall. But if he fails and is stopped again, his friends believe he will hang up his gloves for good. A crowd of more than 5,000 and a gate of more than 3,000 are expected when they square off at 10 pjn. EDT for action that will be sent nationally over ABC television and radio networks. Reason for Being Favorite Charles is favored because wagering men believe he underestimated the Chicago Negro and failed to train properly for their Miami Beach fight. Although Ezzard was floored in the first round and on the canvas twice in the ninth before the referee stopped the bout, his exhaustion appeared to have helped his undoing. He out-fought Holman after the first round and had him reeling in the seventh. He was well ahead on points at the close of the eighth. For that bout Charles weighed 193%; Holman, 202%. Each may be a little lighter Wednesday. Neither has fought since the Miami Beach upset, but each had two bouts before it this year. Ezzard outpointed Charley Norkus and knocked out Verne Escoe 3. His career-record is 88-13-1, including 54 knockouts. Holman outpointed Julio Mederos and knocked out tough Cesar Brion 4 before meeting Ezzard. His record is 27-10-1, including 16 knockouts. He has been stopped four times. Because of his kayo over Charles, he is now ranked sixth among contenders — one notch above Ezzard. The ex-champ, who lost the title on a surprise knockout to Jersey Joe Walcott in 1951, is a much smarter boxer than Holman and a good puncher. However, Johnnys looping rights are shockers when they land. Holman said today, "Ive always admired Charles as a great fighter. But hes going and Im still coming — just about arrived. Ill try to knock him out again so I can go after the title and finally make some money out of boxing. I never made any real dough yet, and Ive been fightin since 1947."
