12 Sports Aces, January 1943 — page 106: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

104 12 SPORTS ACES 90 Ds CH B41 Orr Ore Servos Hr Ger Gs Dor Grrr ere Wor Groen Ger Os Gor QroOer Ge os Dee Der Ser Gee Ger ToGo Gee tor Gre Gee G or DO oo Grr Geo Ber orGs- Orr Grr Gor Bro Gor Per Gong soe GocGinrhiesocOr Gene o> kid. He was small for a middleweight; he just did manage to get into the divi- sion, But he could hit and he was tough. The New York fans liked his spirit and his gameness. Danny said, “Kid, we’re on top of the world. This makes up for the lean years. And the good ones have just started.” Danny went into training the next day. He went at it hard. This was going to be his biggest fight. Grid Gaynor was: a neweomer, but the reports on him com- ing through from the West labeled him _as deadly. The odds were on him to cop the title, Danny was the sentimental fa- vorite, but the wise money was on Gay- nor. Danny boxed daily in the gym. He was spotting Gaynor over eight pounds when they stepped on the commission scales, but he was not worried. He was ready to — defend his title. He was a fighting champ. He went back to his apartment after the weighing in and sat around with Ellen. She didn’t take in any of his fights, they made her too nervous and she stayed at home to listen to the radio and tear up her best handkerchiefs. “Take care of yourself, Danny,” she said, when it came time for him to leave. “Sure thing,” he said. “I’m the amy, aren’t 1?” He met Sam Bradford and they west down to the arena. In the dressing room Sam went over the plan of battle. He said, “This Gaynor is loaded. He’ll use his weight. He’s big and strong and you had better chop him down early in the game. You’ve got to hit and get away from him. He'll murder you in close.” A little later they walked down the aisle toward the distant cone of yellow light. They brought down the house for Danny Cave and it made him swell with pride. 2 He got up in the ring and Gaynor sat across from him. They met in the center and Gaynor said, “Too bad, Cave. How much do you want for that hash house?” ANNY said nothing. He went back and shuffled his feet in the resin and went out at the bell. He went out fast and walked into a straight left of Gaynor’s. He took it and kept going. He threw his right hand at Gaynor’s chin. He pumped the left and then the right again. He fought standing up, going forward all the time, and punching with both hands. He called his shots. He drove lefts and rights to Gaynor’s jaw and the challenger was hurt. He covered up and came in close to hang on. He hung all his weight on Danny Cave. Danny shoved him off and “drove another left hand to the side of the head. Gaynor smashed a right hand to the mouth and Danny tasted blood. This was it, he thought, and he leved it. This was his trade and he was giving everything he had. The bell rang.and Sam said, “You’re doing fine, but don’t let him get close. You got too many pounds to give away and eleven more rounds to go.” Danny nodded, his head very clear. It was going to be a real battle this time. If he won tonight he was worthy. of the championship. There would be no fluke about it. Grid Gaynor was a very good man in there. The second round began and Gayior came at him fast. He wanted to get in elose and bury his hooks to the body. Danny tagged him with a looping right and moved back out of range. He didn’t like to take a backward step; it wasn’t his style to retreat. He rebelled suddenly and went in close to trade punches, Danny came to on his pants at the eount of five. He got up on wobbly legs and back-pedaled for the rest of the round, Sam Bradford said, “Why should I give you advice. You know it all your- self. I say stay away and you move in. close.” Danny grinned, Sam.” He went out to stab and run. He poured leather at Grid Gaynor from long range. And steadily the challenger stalked. him. Once near the end of the round he caught Danny in a corner. His hands buried themselves at the belt line of Danny’s “You were right, - trunks. It went on that way for two more. rounds. Danny was piling up the points. But his stomach was red as raw beef- steak and he eould feel the strength EOPMICLOOOL<S, (CE)