Page Eight THE MICHIGAN DAILY Wednesday, November 25, 197th Page Eight THE MICHIGAN DAILY Wednesday, November 25, 1 97~1* Frazier, Foster: Reflections on a two round (EDITOR'S NOTE: The author is of t h e anxious excitement of an assistant professor of English fight night. at the University.) ByeU Es ULyI) What you miss in theater tel- By JOE MULLIN evision as well as in home TV is Last Wednesday night, armed the spectacle of boxing. Y o u with a press pass and a free $50 can't see the color. and style of ticket, I attended the first hea- a fight crowd arriving during vyweight championship f i g h t the prelims when you are in the held in Detroit in twenty years. dark, looking only at backs of Fewer than 6000 people paid heads, facing a solid wall on less than $100,000 to see Joe which the management shows a Frazier knock out Bob Foster Yugoslavian western to pacify in two rounds. Those who stay- you until 10:30. No sporting ed home felt intelligent, I am event can match the color and sure, when they discovered that style of an important fight. the fight ended so quickly. I arrived at Cobo about seven And if they waited to watch o'clock, early enough to check the television films on Saturday my seat, go to ringside to tug afternoon, they saw the knock- at the red ropes and to slap the out in closeup four times, from pale-blue canvas, and make three angles, in two speeds. sure everything was fit. After They saw more of Frazier's pow- studying the Official Program er and precision than I saw sit- carefully, I settled in my seat to ting one hundred feet from the enjoy the arrival of the crowd. ring in Cobo Hall. For such an During the prelims at least obvious reason the prudent stay fifty men made impressively in- home on fight night and wait dividual entrances. In blond for the stop-action highlights and in black furs, in lavender, on Saturday afternoon. green, and scarlet leather coats, Still, there is talk of a possi- men strolled and swept and ble $10 million gate for a Fra- swaggered to the $50 and $100 zier-Ali fight. People are pay- seats. Although some had at- ing a lot of money to watch tractive and expensive women live-action boxing on cable tele- with them, the men themselves vision, because it captures some were the show. Plunkett cops They gathered, greeted o n e another, and conferred about the fight. They circulated slow- ly and deliberately, only begin- ning to settle down when the added attraction, a closed-cir- cuit bout from New York, be- gan. George Foreman, who is re- membered by Middle America f o r waving a small American flag after winning the Olympic Heavyweight title in 1968, stop- ped a fellow by the name of Boone Kirkman in two rounds. I had no chance to know what Kirkman can do. But I have watched Foreman a half dozen times now and have seen him improve to a point where he is clearly the best heavyweight af- ter Ali and Frazier. Foreman will be brought along for an- other year or more before he fights for the championship, needing victories over fading heavyweights like Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Ellis. He is- almost ready now. He knocked Kirkman down three times in two rounds, pounding him with hard combinations. He is big at 216, fast and aggres- sive. So skilled at 22, Foreman is bound to be the champion n time. cup The crowd booed when the TV picture faded and they hiss- ed angrily when the bout ended in the second round. But they quieted when treated to a slow- motion repeat on the large TV screen. Then they began mov- ing again, realizing that since a fight can end quickly, they must be seen before the main event begins. They were surpris- ed by the early arrival of the challenger. Bob Foster, the ' light-heavy- weight champion, moved toward the ring slowly - in a kind of progress - wearing a regal, blue-velvet robe with a white satin hood and a red sash. I had seen him in the press room of the Sheraton Cadillac the day before, when he had been wearing a blue polka-dot fencing shirt and p a 1 e green bellbottoms. The Official Pro- gram assured me that he thinks of himself as "Mr. Mod." At nearly six feet four inches, he is tall for a fighter and handsome. But despite thirty-five knock- outs in forty-one fights, Foster had been fighting men lighter than Frazier and did not look durable enough carrying 190 pounds on his tall frame. Frazier came shadow-boxing up the aisle, covered by a black robe and hood. When he bound- ed into the ring, everyone could. see his 204 pounds more solidly distributed. During the instructions from the referee neither fighter gave any signs of his intentions, but as soon as the first round began, Frazier took charge. He is at the peak of his ability now. He moved Foster around the ring, taking a few punches, but hit- ting Foster with b o t h hands. Foster danced briskly, moving his head out of the way of the shorter champion. I gave the round to Foster for a couple of impressive counter-punches, but I was suspicious that it might be the last round Foster won. In the second round Frazier came out smoking, and as he circled Foster to the right, he knocked the man over with a left hook. At the press confer- ence later Frazier said that at that knockdown he had known that Foster was finished. Foster said later that he had not heard the count. But he got up and, after avoiding three or four punches, got walloped by two quick left h o o k s, one to the body and then one to the head. He said after the fight that he had not known he was knocked down a second time. At the press interview, some twenty minutes after the knock- out, Foster entered still groggy. He claimed that the weight dif- ference had not bothered him and he said he wanted another try at Frazier, for what purpose I cannot imagine. He claimed that he had been hit harder by Doug J o n e s. If he had, one shuddered for him, because a half hour after the fight he was still shakey and forgetful. Frazier came down to meet the reporters after -his shower. He is not a very colorful fellow, but he spoke thoughtfully about the fight and said he thought it should have been stopped sooner. He had not wanted to hit Foster after the first knock- down, but he was forced to when Foster struggled b a c k to his feet. Frazier never mentioned a rematch for Foster; no reporter suggested one. What Frazier has in mind is a match with Ali for that $10 million gate. Ali needs m o r e matches to get back into fight- ing trim. If he wins these bouts, fight and I cannot imagine a loss, the two champions will fight in late winter. Frazier has the aggressive style, the ability to take punish- ment, and the power to hurt with both hands which are nec- essary to beat Ali. The former champion will be in the tough- est fight of his career when he takes on Joe Frazier. Waiting for that winner, in a year or more, will be George Foreman, who, in, a y e a r or more, may be better than eith- er of them. When has the hea- vyweight division had three such impressive fighters? Perhaps in the mid-forties with Louis, Wal- cott, and Charles. Perhaps. not since the twenties. On the way out I was brush- ed aside by a tall man wearing a saffron jumpsuit and a saf- fron turban, parting the crowd before him with a j e t black cane. I could not have seen him watching Saturday television. Since it was only 11:15, I took myself over to Monroe Street and at the New Hellas ordered a custard baklava with ice cream. I would not have had one of those watching Saturday television, either. 4 NEW YORK P)-Jim Plunkett,j Stanford's rifle-armed quarter- back who is college football's all- time king of total offense and passing yardage, won the Heisman Trophy yesterday as college foot- ball's outstanding performer of 1970. Plunkett received a total of 2,229E points from the 1,059 elec-I tors in a battle as expected with two other highly-touted quarter- backs-Joe Thiesmann of Notre Dame and Archie Manning of Mis- sissippi. Thiesmann was second with 1,410 points and Manning third with 849. Plunkett, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound- er, is expected to be a top pro draft pick. In 11 games this season he has passed for 2,715 yards and 18 touchdowns, nationally in total offense with an average of 263.5 yards a game.I The voting is counted on a 3- 2-1 basis with Plunkett getting 510 first-place votes, 285 seconds daily sports NIGHT EDITOR: MORT NOVECK Plunkett was rewarded person- ally yesterday for not thinking of himself last year. The reward came in the form of the Heisman Trophy and un- doubtedly will be embellished by a lucrative contract when the Stanford quarterback is selected in the annual pro draft at the end of January. { _But the position he is in now and 129 thirds. Thiesmann had stems from the decision he made 242 firsts and Manning 138 firsts last year to remain at Stanford in the balloting conducted by the despite the fact he was eligible Downtown Athletic Club. for the pro draft then. Rounding out the top 10 in the But Plunkett decided to stay at country were Archie Manning, Stanford, saying: "Coach John voting by 1,059 electors across the Ralston, all our coaches, and my Mississippi quarterback; S t e v e teammates have been building Worster, Texas ' fullback; Rex something at Stanford for the past Kern, Ohio State quarterback. Pat couple of years. If I were to leave, Sullivan, A u b u r n quarterback; I would always have the feeling Jack Tatum, Ohio State corner that I let them down." hank Eq ria , nin Air Fnr c . Dac ;trnie, jennings,ai r orc flanker; Don McCauley, Nort Carolina halfback, and Lynn Dic ey, Kansas State quarterback. WOLVERINES EIGHTH: Blue drop in AP p Michigan dropped . to eighth place in this week's Associated Press football poll, after their loss to Ohio State last Saturday. The victorious Buckeyes mounted to second, knocking Notre Dame into the fourth spot. Texas which did not play last weekend held onto first place and received 20 first place votes. Ohio State got 14 votes for first place, Nebraska pulled in six, Notre Dame three, and Arizona State two, Nebraska remained in third place by overcoming Oklahoma 28-21 to end their regular season with a 10-0-1 record. The Corn- huskers will get their next test in the Orange Bowl against either LSU, Texas, or Arkansas. The Razorbacks of Arkansas vaulted into fifth place, but due only to their good luck. The Hogs climbed over Texas Tech, 24-10, and moved into the spot vacated by Ohio State. Sixth place fell to Louisiana Son of Gridde Pickings We promised that we wouldn't run anymore Gridde Pickings for nine months, but after an early abortion we're back. We know we promised, but a promise from the Daily sports staff is only as good as a Cottage Inn pizza anyway, which is the very reason why this thing is getting written. We need- ed a way to announce the winner in last week's contest. Not that he deserved to win. Anyone who picks Ohio State, as the winner, Jack Wagner of 3816 South Quad did, deserves a fate worse than death. But we think we've found one. Wagner can have any kind of pizza he wants, as long as it has anchovies, onions, and garlic on it. A fate worse than death also awaits Daily readers as Son of Gridde Pickings is not one of your one shot deals. Starting in Janu- ary, everyone will have the chance to test their prognostication pros- pects against the mighty men of the maple as hoope pickings makes it debut. Icers to Fargo For M .hi.an' hokev team- State which was able to move i the ratings after losing their gam to Notre Dame last weekend, 3- Seventh is now Gator Bowl-boun Tennessee which mauled the pa thetic Kentucky Wildcats, 45-0. Arizona State held its surprisin ninth-place ranking after a wi over New Mexico. Tenth place no belongs to Archie Manning's MiE sissippi team, which was idle la: weekend. Unbeaten gridiron behemoth Dartmouth and Toledo hold 14t and 15th respectively, and Geo gia Tech, Penn State, Northwes ern, Colorado, and Washingto were lucky enough to receiv enough votes to round out the to twenty, despite mediocre season e And this Year he elevated them } h to the Pacific-8 title with an 8-3 k record and a berth in the Rose } Bowl New Year's Day against Ohio State. BOB FOSTER collapses after receiving a second flurry of pun "I hate to think where we'd be pionship fight. Joe Frazier was credited with the knockout a without Jim Plunkett," Ralston fight foster did not remember this action occurring. said recently. "We'd be going _ somewhere, but not toward the Rose Bowl." FOOTBALL BOY( He undoubtedly will be a first- round selection and might very n wellbe selected No. in the draft, W he is potential and publicity virtual- i- the neighborhood of what O. J. wimpsBufalon nsimdlarhei sSEATTLE, Wash. (IW -- Reac- It was the second racial i stances two years agou tion to an announcement by four dent at the university in two gn csophomore black athletes Monday sons and third in four years Simpson's contract reportedly is that they would not return to the The statement by the four s-a four-year contract at $50,000 a University of Washington football the completion of athletic el: st year plus a large loan for invest- team next year appeared to be sur~ ity by six black seniors left ment purposes. prise and confusion. Husky squad without any b s Plunkett currently ranks second Mark Wheeler, a halfback w h o Two black freshmen said the th nationally in total offense and quit the team in midseason with- not know what action they v r_ fifth in the nation in passing on out giving a reason, read the pre- take. t- the basis of 17.4 completions a pared announcement Monday. The Joe Kearney, director ofs n game. He has completed 191 of three remaining blacks on the var- programs, issued a statement ve 358 passes for 2,715 yards .and 18 sity, Cal Jones, Ira Hammon and ing the action by the four b p touchdowns. Charles Evans, were present. caught the entire athletic de s -- ------- Dierdorf named-All-American; Huff cops spot on Kod team NEW YORK (P)-Jim Plunkett, Gatewood of Notre Dame and ine Dierdorf and Buckeyes T -Associated Press nches in the second round of the cham- t 49 seconds of the round. After the COTT acks qui~t inci- ment by surprise. A number of o sea- teammates also said they were sur- prised by the move. rt plus "To my knowledge no black igibil- football players from the start of t h e practice in late August to today's lacks. press release have directly contact- ey did ed or visited coach Jim Owens re- would garding any. racial grievance," Kearney said. sports "In addition, I have not been t say- contacted by any of our black foot- blacks ball players regarding any racial epart- grievance within the ranks of the black football players," Kearney added. The statement read by Wheeler said, "The racial practices of the University of Washington coach- ing staff have forced us to the point where we no longer can tol- erate the playing conditions im- posed upon us.'' The four declined to elaborate Tatum n the statement. In it they refer- -+Associated Press BOB FOSTER falls to the canvass. for the first time in the second round of the heavyweight championship bout Nov. 18 in Detroit. World Champion Joe Frazier towers over his fallen opponent. FOSTER SECOND Munson tops AL rookies, 1. Texas 20 2. Ohio State 14 3.,"Nebraska 6 4. Notre Dame 3 5. Arkansas 6. Louisiana State 7. Tennessee 8. MICHIGAN 9. Arizona State2 10. Mississippi 11. Auburn 8-0 9-0 10-0-1 9-0 9-1 7-2 8-1 9-1 2 9-0 7-1 7 -2 812 760 718 676 482 414 413 385 311 '246 202 s3 nford the Heisman Trophy winning 14. Dartmouth 9-0 86 quarterback from Stanford, leads 15. Toledo 11-0 68 the 24-man Kodak All-America 16. Georgia Tech 7-3 9 team selected by the American 17. Penn State 7-3 40 tetdby heA ria 18. Northwestern 6-4 33 Football Coaches' Association yes- 19. Colorado 6-4 24 terday. 20. Washington 6-4 19 Joining Plunkett in the back- Others receiving votes, listed alpha. onn lneti h ak betic iy: Alabama, Florida State, Hous- field were halfback Don McCauley ton, Louisville, North Carolina, Okla- of North Carolina, fullback Steve homa, Oregon State, Purdue, San Diego Worster of Texas and flanker State, Southern California, SyracuseChuck Dicus of Arkansas. The Texas Tech, Tulane, UCLA, West Vir-.CukDcso rass h gnia. other two ends selected were Tom Wolverine gymnastics squad bein defense of national title Ernie Jennings of Air Force. Also named offensivelyv center Chip Kell of Tennes guards Larry Dinardo of N Dame and Bob Newton of Neb ka and tackles Dan Dierdorf Michigan and Bobby Wuensc] and Stillwagon. were The other Big Ten honorees are ssee, fullbacks John Brockington of- otre Ohio State and Mike Adamle of ras- Northwestern. Adamle led the f of Wildcats to their best Big Ten h of record in years, 6-1, and a second c x r ti z r E By BETSY MAHON The Wolverine gymnastics squad, defending Big Ten and NCAA champions, will lay those marks on the line when they begin their season this weekend. They will be competing in the Mid-West Open, sponsored by the Illinois Gymnas- tics Coaches Association and t h e Midwestern Gymnastics Associa- tion, which will be held at Addi- son Trails, Illinois. According to Coach Newt Loken, the meet has a twofold purpose: it allows the Wolverine gymnasts to see the stage of preparedness they are at and it provides an opportun- and everyone, including the se-! cond stringers and freshmen, will be given a chance to compete. Fri- day night will feature trampoline competition, which is now a sep- arate sport according to NCAA rules. Saturday moi'ning, competi- tion in the six gymnastic events of floor exercise, parallel bars, high bar, side horse, rings and vault- ing, will take place. On Saturday night the top five performers in the vaulting and trampoline cate- gories and the top eight in the other events will compete again. I It Texas. place tie with Michigan. Defensive players selected were: Adamle picked up over 1000 Ends Bill Atessis of Texas and yards on the ground, setting an Charlie Weaver of Southern Cali- all-time conference record in the fornia, tackles Rock Perdoni and process. The 5-9, 190 pound run- Jim Stillwagon of Ohio State, line- ning back also set a league mark backers Mike Anderson of LSU, for carries in one game. Murry Bowden of Dartmouth. Aside from Plunkett, the other Jack Ham of Penn State and I signal callers named to the team MartyCHuff of Michigan and backs were Archie Manning of Missis- Tom Casanova of LSU, Dick Har- sippi, Joe Theismann of Notre ris of South Carolina, Jack Tatum Dame and Pat Sullivan of Auburn. of Ohio State and Larry Willing- ham of Auburn. Bill McClard of Arkansas was For the student body: selected as the kicker. The Big Ten was represented by four players, Dierdorf and Huff of Michigan and Stillwagon and Ta- tum of conference champion Ohio State. In another All-America team announced recently, The Football Slim Fits.....$6.98 News named five Big Ten gridders (All Colors) to their honor roll. Holdovers from the Kodak selections were Wolver- DENIM red to the past "because things were supposed to be changing: yet to date things have changed very little." Sophomore quarterback Sonny Sixkiller, one of the sophomore players credited with leading the Huskies back from a racial-torn 1-9 season in 1969, could only say, "I'm surprised. It's really weird." Other members of the team said they were surprised, but declined to comment without first having a chance to talk to the blacks. VISIE "GALLERY Featuring a great selection NEW YORK (P) - Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees was named the American League's 1970 Rookie of the Year yesterday by a landslide margin, becoming the first catcher ever to win the award. Munson, a stocky line-drive hit- ter following in the footsteps of former Yankee catching freats Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, received all but one vote from a 24-man committee of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Outfielder Roy Foster of t h e Cleveland Indians got the other vote. Munson, who led New York in batting with a .302 average and paced major league catchers in as- sists, is the sixth Yankee to win the AL rookie prize since its incep- tion in 1949-and the second in three years. ['OUR OF SOUND" of Columbia portable stereos. Pitcher Stan Bahnsen was se- lected in 1968, shortstop Tom Tresh in 1962, shortstop T o n y Kubek in 1957, pitcher Bob Grim in 1954 and second baseman Gil McDougald in 1951. Munson hit six -home runs and drove in 53 runs in 132 games. He also had 80 assists, half of them nailing opposing runners in 69 base-sealing attempts. Foster, 25, batted .268, belted 23 homers and drove in 60 runs for the Indians. Munson signed by Yankee scout Gene Woodling, is only the second cather in either league to win the Rookie of the Year award. Cin- cinnati slugger Johnny Bench, the National League's Most Valuable Player this year, captured 1 rookie honors in 1968. t ' .Gvo ea rds Get"Aies-- cb1t tow 0 p plateb 1 1fr 7 Panasonic tape players, recorders, AM-FM radios and our famous record selection. 417 E. Liberty MUSIC SO Phone NO 2-0675 UmeEMMM fiD'/E'IIA Bush Jeans RAID, $10.00