The Croatian Candidate

Shaken by these narrow escapes, as well as by his loss to Folley early last year, Chuvalo got himself a manager—enter Ungerman, comfortable, charitable poultry processor, dismayed by the prevalence of sharp practice in the fight game—and a sponsoring group, Apollo Promotions, intentional symbol of manly youth: besides Irving Ungerman, Karl Ungerman, Moe Wasser, in poultry, likewise; Mel Newman, furniture; Aaron Sokolsky, restaurateur.

Irving Ungerman fought amateur as a 105-pounder. He grew up in a Gentile district, Perth Avenue, where a big Scottish kid who called him Israelite used to hit him with a geography book. "It was at least 24 by 18," says Ungerman. "On the head, from behind, every school day he"d buckle me down. I joined the YMCA. There was no YMHA." In time, Ungerman had revenge in the cloakroom. "I opened his head in two different places," he says. Ungerman owns several tarnished teaspoons he won boxing in the Air Force. "If I really wanted to, I possibly could have come up pretty good, won a few little trophies," he says.

Ungerman has known Chuvalo since he was an infant; his mother used to leave him in his carriage in Ungerman's front store while she plucked chickens. "I have a great interest in the kid solely because of the close relationship he had with me as a child, and my respect for the parents," Ungerman said the other evening after dinner, surrounded by his family: Mrs. Sylvia Ungerman; their daughter, Shelley, 17; their son, Howie. 15; their daughter, Temmy, 3. "I attribute his ability and goodness to his parents."

"George is very close to his mother and father," Mrs. Ungerman said. "He's not at all ashamed to kiss his father. He takes his soiled gym clothes home to his mother. It's like he's Jewish, but he's Croatian."

"I said to George, 'What is it you really need?' " Ungerman said. "He said, 'Someone who will really take care of me.' He had a sour taste with his other manager, a little bit of suspicion. He doesn't automatically take to a person."

"He's an introvert," said Mrs. Ungerman. "You never know what he's thinking. He doesn't expose himself. He's got a reserve. But whatever he undertakes, he does it wholeheartedly, with great belief, with positive thinking."

"There is absolutely no consideration that a fellow reaps some money out of this," Ungerman said. "Money never did interest me. I've had no value for money. I've been happy without it. It would be the greatest enjoyment in my life to get that championship. I'd be only too happy to give all the money to charity. George used to have that problem—if he needed something, he couldn't turn to his manager."

"It cost money," said Mrs. Ungerman. "Once Irv took over, George was finally going to get something he wanted and was looking for. He can go through training without worry, aggravation maybe and doubts, knowing that the needs he requires for proper boxing are being looked after for his good."

"I second that motion," said Howie.

"Passed," said Mrs. Ungerman.