On Second Thought: Running down a Weight Plot, Daily Racing Form, 1955-06-16

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On Second Thought Running Down A Weight Plot1 By BARNEY NAGLER * NEW YORK, N. Y., June 15.— Archie Moore, rumor has it, weighed 186 and not 196 % as reported, when he outpointed Nino v aiaes in 10 rounds in Las Vegas six weeks ago. Of itself, the old mans weight that night was not important. He was fighting Valdes as a heavyweight, with no poundage strings attached. As a signpost for Moores light-heavyweight defense against .Bobo Olson at t.hp Polo Grounds next Wednesday night, it could be an indication of things to come. If Moore was 1961/.,. he is in the throes of a weight-making ordeal, one which would be enervating, to. say the least. If he was 10 pounds lighter, talk about his plight is so much eyewash, solely intended to mislead the betting men. Some believe it was intended to ensnare Olsons smart agent, Sid Flaherty, to accept the match, confident in the knowledge that Moore would shed stamina as well as weight in the training grind. By way of running down the rumor of the "weight plot," a witness at the Las Vegas scale ceremony was accosted. Deponent is Bobby Gleason, Valdes" owner and operator. "Moore weighed 196V£," Gleason said ■with a straight face. "I know because I saw him weigh. We got the scale from a feed store, the Main Street feed store in Las Vegas. It was one of them flat Fairbanks jobs, and we brought it to Jack Reams headquarters at 115 First Street. "My guy stepped on it and weignea 209 which was about right. Then Moore weighed and he was 196 M . I saw it, and this fellow, name of Leonard, from the Nevada commission, he saw it, too. It could be that Moore had some weights around to make him heavier, but they wasnt in his hands if he had them; they were in him, not on him. "Did he look like 196and?" a man asked Gleason. "He sure did," Gleason said. "He had a belly on him and his face looked like it was a balloon. He was 196y2, 1 think, and if he was, how the hell does he take weight off? Look at me. I try to take off a pound and I cant, and this guy takes off five, 10, 15 pounds like it was nothing." "You think Moores going to win, then?" the other one asked. "I got to like Olson," Gleason said. - "This Moore is an amazing fellow, like I said, but he aint good against fast-moving fellows like Olson. Hes great when hes got a heavyweight in there without speed. Hes a lazy kind of a fighter who likes to make his own pace. Olson wont let him." Gleasons analysis is a common ground for all those in the business who feel that speed will work for Olson come Wednesday night. They are also of the opinion that Moore, not Olsonj was suckered into the match. Basis for this attitude is the fact that Moore will have to look very, very good taking care of Olson. Hell have to sparkle. If he doesnt hell lose considerable caste and possibly the chance to fight Rocky Marciano in September, although the feeling here is that Bob Baker and not Moore already has been tapped for the assignment. If Moore just managed to win a decision, hell be stoned journalistically as a guy who couldnt boss a middleweight" easily. This wouldnt enhance his standing-. Even if Moore does win, some will say he beat a middleweight, nothing more, and whats the commotion about. Hell, a middleweight name of Ray Robinson knocked out Olson and beat him in two fights. Consequently, Moore is on a spot, put there by the tricksters of the trade. He cant hope to gain much Wednesday night, and, if Gleason is right, he has everything to lose including the decision. "I like Olson in 15 rounds, by decision," Gleason insisted. Such an outcome would take the IBC right off the spot. It is known that Al Weill is possessed of a consuming prejudice against Moore because Archie indulged in a bit of calumny while campaigning for a Now, can he? shot at Marciano. Even Weill might be cajoled into forgetting about his contempt for Moore if the old fellow were to look shabby while beating Olson. Such a demonstration of fallibility would convince Weill that Moore is just the kind of doddering opponent Marciano needs. After all, that Cockell was a fough cookie and Marciano deserves a soft touch in September. A man cant be thrown to the wolves fight after fight.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1955061601/drf1955061601_2_1
Local Identifier: drf1955061601_2_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800