Atlanta Daily World

Gil Turner Has Sunk To Ranks Of Has-Been Boxers

PHILADELPHIA-(ANP)- Welterweight Gil Turner is one of the big mysteries of the current boxing era. From a flashy youngster with dynamite in both fists and a string of 30-odd victories in a row under his belt, he has sunk almost overnight to the ranks of the "has-beens." It hardly seems possible that this once great fighting machine could have been so quieted that even hometown fans would cease to mention his name.

But that's exactly what has happened. Turner has ceased to be the idol of boxing here and throughout the nation that he once was. Whereas fans clamored for his autograph, or just a look at him, they now almost completely ignore him on the street.

Gil feels this very keenly. He has said nothing about it, but there is a look of discouragement that clearly shows he's been hurt. His public appearances, though sincere, are not what they once were. No longer is he the top ranking contender predicting a title victory, or victory over a name opponent. Now he's just plain Gil struggling to get back into contention.

Seldom does a writer delve into the private life of a boxer to determine what has made him go sour, but in Turner's case it must be said that marriage did him little if any good. His years as a husband and father have been the worst of his still young life. Seldom is there a scandal column written that Gil's name doesn't pop up in the well-known love triangle or "lipstick on the collar" incident. These little items plus his own unwillingness to accept responsibility have meant his current downfall.

There are those who believe that Gil has taken too much punishment in the ring and therefore fallen by the wayside, but it must be remembered that young blood in boxing can stand a great deal more than the veteran. Turner has taken many a well-aimed punch, but he still can dish them out in return.

A week ago at a Police Athletic League banquet here, Gil clearly stated that he feels he's "let down" the home folks by not winning the title. Even after being reminded that he's been a "champion in other respects," Gil said he's not at all proud of himself nor of his record of late.

Turning to the brighter side of the picture, he promised victory over Jackie LaBuie when the two meet in Syracuse, N. Y. Dec. 14. "For this one I'm training like I never did before," he said seriously, "If we beat this guy, we're going to fight Charley Humez, the top-ranking middleweight. If we beat him I'm sure we'll get another crack at the title and I'll mean business."

Gil's frequent references to "we" meant himself and his manager, George Katz. The two have been inseparable since Gil first signed with Georgie.

Having followed the career of Turner in particular there is little doubt that he can win the title- if he wants to. His health is not the best, but then neither is that of 75 per cent of the fighters in the ring today. Gil can approach his old form by starting now to live the life of a champion in and out of the ring, to train as he never has before, and most important to apply himself.

Once these have been done look for Turner to vault to the top of the welter class as he did after turning professional in 1947.