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University Daily Kansan
Thursday, May 21, 1964
Joe Louis Celebrates Fiftieth Birthday
NEW YORK—(UPI)—The first 20 years didn't count for Joe Louis and, at 50, he insisted today that he wouldn't like the last 30 over, either.
the immortal Brown Bomber of the ring said in his slow, sotto voce manner that birthdays were nice but he hoped there would be another 50.
Yet there is no happiness in the big man about those early years after he was born in a cabin in an Alabama cotton patch and, as for the later years in which he won the heavyweight championship of the world, retired undefeated and tried a comeback unsuccessfully, he shrugs them off, too.
JOE IS DEEPLY in hock to Uncle Sam for income taxes. The figure isn't known but it's more than $1 million.
"Iimagine," he said softly, "If I had been fighting in these days of closed circuit television. Imagine how much I might owe the man."
So Joe shuffles down the years with his usual bland manner.
But he's willing to talk, in his quiet manner, and his observations are of keen interest. They include his feelings that:
- Sonny Liston is the best fighter in the world.
- Cassius Clay, who beat Liston for the heavyweight title, is "by no comparison" as good a fighter as Billy Conn.
- That Listen will win back the title "if he gets a chance."
- There "definitely" should be a Federal Boxing Commissioner.
- That boxing isn't really in as bad a shape as most people believe.
Louis, looking fit at 235 compared with the 214 he weighed when Rocky Marciano ended his comeback in October of 1951, rubbed his thin black moustache as he pondered his answers.
"Clay is a good enough fighter," he said, "But it's unfortunate that he's a member of the Black Muslims. A champion should represent all sects, not just one."
He personally, never has been approached by the Black Muslim sect, Louis averred with an amused look.
JOE, WHO IS a five handicap golfer and lives in Los Angeles, said that he was doing "nothing much now" since helping Liston get in shape for the Clay fight.
"I think he was in shape but he got whipped when his left arm was hurt," Joe insisted. "No matter, he's still the best fighter in the world today and I definitely think
he'll win back the title if he gets a chance."
The only thing wrong with boxing, said Louis, is that it needs a "few more" Jack Dempseys, Gene Tunneys, Ray Robinsons and Rocky Marcianos.
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ON HAND AT HIS party were such as New York Giant football ace Frank Gifford, former middleweight champion turned actor Rocky Graziano and boxers Skeeter McClure, Emile Griffith and Jose Torres.
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"You recognize me standing up?" Graziano quipped.
The staff of the KU Arnold Air Society has been announced by the area commander, Cadet Col. Craig E. McComb, Prairie Village junior.
Arnold Air Society Chooses New Staff
The members are: Cadet Lt. Col. Brewster B. Snyder, Leavenworth junior, executive officer; Cadet Maj. Kenneth C. Leone, Alexandria, Va., sophomore, administrative officer; Cadet Maj. Irwin J. Epperson, Topeka sophomore, operations officer; and Cadet Major L. David Lutton, Bartlesville, Okla., sophomore, information officer.
The Arnold Air Society is a nation-wide professional honorary society of Air Force ROTC cadets
The area commanded by the staff is composed of seven colleges and universities in the Midwest, including KU.
Lt. Col. G. E. Hallas, professor of Air Science at KU, is the USAF area adviser.
KSU Student Senate Doubles Athletic Share
MANHATTAN—(UPI)—The Kansas State University Student Senate have doubled the athletic department's share of the student activities fee.
The student body gave the athletic department an $83,000 cut of the $287,000 budget for 1964-65.
The athletic department, seeking to beef up the university football program, had asked for $100,000. Last year the department received $44,000.
The Student Union was allocated $82,000 and $70,000 was approved for student publications.
H. B. (Bebe) Lee, athletic director, said the requested increase would go towards additional scholarships, the hiring of another coach and improved training tables.
The Student Senate's action must be approved by university President James A. McCain.
Money for the student fee budget comes from yearly assessments of $33 per student.
When You're In Doubt, Try It Out—Kansan Classifieds
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We wish you the best of luck for the summer, and we hope to see you all again in September.
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