Atlanta Daily World

AT THE RINGSIDE
TALK'S OVER, FIGHT'S ON

As this is written, Sugar Ray Robinson and Carl (Bobo) Olson are just about ready to close shop and climb into the ring for the third round of their fistic arguments.

Twice before the two met, and each time the clever Robinson came out on top. This time, however things are a little different. Olson is the champion and Robinson the challenger. Bobo has the edge in age and has been fighting steadily, while Ray has come out of retirement to attempt to win back the crown.

Yet this is a fight which all concerned have been eagerly awaiting for several months. Somehow, it just had to be. Delayed by Robinson's defeat at the hands of Ralph "Tiger" Jones, delayed again when Ray suffered an ankle injury, the fight is at last in the making.

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of pre-fight gabbing, with both fighters predicting victory. That is what makes the bout interesting.

Grudge fights have nearly always been scorchers, and there is no denying that Olson is out to avenge his losses at the hands of Robinson.

"I still remember the way I looked up from the ring floor in our first fight to see him laughing at me," Bobo explained. Told that Ray looked sharp in training, Bobo retorted: "That's great. That means that Robinson won't have any excuses after the fight. I'm in great shape myself for this one and I'll admit that I've waited a long time to get Robinson in the ring. I don't care what plans he has to fight me, I just want to be sure that he'll be there"

But as fight time neared, Robinson didn't seem the least bit worried about Olson. Told about Bobo's remarks, he smiled broadly: "If I could lick him once, I can do it again."

All about the Robinson's camp a care-free attitude seems to prevail. One of his admirers at Eddie Nichols Gym where Ray did part of his conditioning even remarked: "Ray ain't thinking about Bobo. Let Olson talk. when he gets in there against Ray it's gonna be a different story."

That doesn't mean however, that Robinson is dead serious about winning the title. He has ever rented a house on the outskirts of Chicago in order to concentrate on his boxing and be away from the fight mob and "hanger-oners."

But now that the talking is just about over and the mitts are ready to be laced on, the question may be asked: Is Robinson's bubbling confidence just a front, or is he cock sure he can thresh Bobo? The verdict will soon be rendered.

The Ringside would like to impart one advice in closing: Don't judge the outcome on the basis of Robinson's performance against Jones. He is a much improved battler; more like his old self.

Who will win? It depends on whether Ray's legs hold out. But I'll gamble on Robinson.