19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

QUESTION AND ANSWER
SIRS:
IN YOLK SEPT. 19 ISSUE JIMMY JEMAIL ASKED WHICH CHAMPION WOULD WIN IN A FREE-FOR-ALL, BOXER ROCKY MARCIANO OR WRESTLER LOU THESZ. THIS QUESTION CAN DEFINITELY BE ANSWERED BY HAVING MARCIANO AND THESZ MEET. I PROPOSE TO PROMOTE SUCH A MATCH AT THE COLISEUM IN HOUSTON WHERE I HAVE PROMOTED WRESTLING FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS. I WILL PAY ALL EXPENSES INCURRED IN SUCH PROMOTION AND WILL PERSONALLY POST A PURSE OF $25,000 FOR THE WINNER OF THE MATCH. IN ADDITION ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE GATE WILL BE DONATED TO THE BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS CANCER FUND. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED LOU THESZ AND HE IS NOT ONLY AGREEABLE BUT ANXIOUS FOR THE CHANCE TO HAVE THIS QUESTION ANSWERED. IF THE MATCH CANNOT BE MADE UNTIL AFTER SEPT. 20 THESZ WILL MEET THE HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION WHOEVER HE MAY BE.
MORRIS P. SIGEL
GULF ATHLETIC CLUB
HOUSTON, TEXAS

HELPLESS MARCIANO
Sirs:
I was amused by some of the answers to Jimmy Jemail's HOTBOX query, "Could Thesz beat Marciano in a free-for-all?" The question is a little like asking, "Could a squash player beat a handball player?"

For all its ruggedness, boxing is a much-handicapped activity. The boxer must deliver his blows a certain way, he can't seize an opponent's arm, tackle him, or use his legs as offensive weapons. Defensively, he is accustomed to protecting himself only from the waist up. He is absolutely helpless once off his feet.

I don't doubt that Marciano, who is the most wrestlerlike boxer since Tony Galento, would give a good account of himself for a full second and a half. But then Thesz, or any good college middleweight for that matter, would either slip around behind him or leg-dive him and that would be the end of Rocky.
REX LARDNER
New York

5 TO 1 ON LOU
Sirs:
I've been in quite a few arguments since Jimmy Jemail's HOTBOX (SI, Sept. 19). This is quite an interesting question. I think Thesz should win. So, some wrestlers are clowns but others aren't. The matches have to look interesting. That's what makes pro wrestling popular.

Rocky said, "Jimmy, why don't you and SI promote this fight?" etc. If there were such a fight, I'd give 5 to 1 odds on Lou Thesz winning it.
FREDERIC B. RODGERS
Slingerlands, N.Y.

PAIN IN THE FACE
Sirs:
I'd like to see it, but I don't think you'll ever get Marciano and Thesz in the same ring. Each would rather keep on bragging that he would murder the other one, and steer clear of the showdown.

But if it did happen, I would put my money on Marciano. Answering Jimmy Jemail's question, Rocky said, "I'd bat his brains out." He would, too, and for once the pained look on a wrestler's face would be the real thing.
MORTON K. GAITHER
St. Louis

NO PUNCH LEFT
Sirs:
I notice the people answering Jemail's question are split 50-50, with one on the fence with "that depends." Let me tilt the scales in favor of the wrestlers—Lou would win in a hurry. Let him get one hold on Rocky (he would, easily) and Mr. Marciano is through punching. It's been done before. Wrestlers may go in for horseplay to entertain the customers but they're athletes, and don't you or Marciano forget it.
EDWIN KRAMM
New York

MIXED CHORUS
Sirs:
It would be Marciano by a knockout in the first two minutes.
SIDNEY LATHAM
Pittsburgh