The Charleston Daily Mail Charleston, West Virginia Tuesday, July 04, 1972 - Page 9
World Title Bout by Bill Smith
CHECKING ON a great event.
“This is your famous sports announcer Coward Hosell coming to you from that great sports capital of the world—Reykjavik, Iceland.
REYKJAVIK? That's pronounced Reykjavik! It is famous for … Well it's famous for … Well, ice for one thing.
“Now it will go down in the pages of history as the great city where two men—one a champion, the other a challenger—clashed in mortal combat.
“These two greats—perhaps the greatest of all time—are a contrast in styles. One is a man of almost fierce intensity. A veteran of combat.
“He has to rely on his years of experience. His game is steady. he makes few mistakes. He takes little chances. But, he's a winner. He's the champion. Champions are proud.
“THE OTHER IS somewhat of an upstart. A rookie in the talented ‘sport.’ He is good. He plays the game with the nerve of a riverboat gambler. he takes chances. He lets it all hang out. Rookies are that way. They have no fear … They haven't acquired the ‘Yips’, yet.
“This kid, at the mere age of 29, has been considered the next champion of the world.
“HE FOUGHT HIS way out of a tenement in Chicago. His inspiration was his sister, who started him on his career when he was six.
“Well, … actually she taught him to play this game.”
“This rookie reached the brink of fame several times, but he always drew back. He charged that the game was fixed. It was a conspiracy against him and his talent.
World Title Bout 04 Jul 1972, Tue The Charleston Daily Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) Newspapers.com
$225,000 Purse
“FOR WHATEVER THE reason, charges flew that he was a spoiled brat. That he was afraid he would choke. After all, he had gone against this world champ five previous times without victory … He lost three and two battles ended in ties.
“But, the stage has been set here in Reykjavik (?) for more than a year. The championship bout was arranged … The veteran went into hiding and training.
“THE ROOKIE worked himself into top condition. He trained with severe dedication. he punished himself. He was ready.
“On the eve of the bout, the rookie drew back again. Was he afraid? No. He was holding out for more money. A puny $78,000 purse for the winner wasn't enough. he wanted more, more. He wanted a share of the gate receipts. He wanted a share of the teevee money.
“Why not. Teevee was going to give a blow-by-blow account of the fast and furious action.
“AMID HOWLS FROM the Iceland promoters, the rookies forced his demands and won. Now, if he becomes the new champ, he will take home $156,250 plus another $75,000 from teevee. That's more than $225,000. Even if he loses, he'll pocket nearly $170,000.
“That's money worth fighting for.”
“AND, WE COME down to that final moment—the moment of truth. The combatants are ready … ready to battle in a ‘sport’ that has been going on for 1,400 years … since the siege of Troy when it was a war game.
$225,000 Purse 04 Jul 1972, Tue The Charleston Daily Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) Newspapers.com
Battle Of Ideas
“TODAY, THE EYES of the world will be on this great arena in Reykjavik (?). The lights will go out. The spotlight will center on the champion and challenger. The gigantic crowd will be hushed.
“They know this is a rendezvous with destiny for these two ‘athletes’. The starting buzzer will sound and it will be a bitter duel … a duel until one loses, surrenders, collapses.
“THERE WILL BE vicious attacks, feints, counterattacks, flares of temper. Oh, the tension will be terrible.
“This game is ruthless demonstration of logical superiority of ideas. This ruthlessness can utterly exhaust one player—or both.
“That is why the air will be electric when the moment of truth arrives.
“BORIS SPASSKY, world chess champion from Russia, will come out, take his seat and stare at this upstart who dares to try and dethrone him.
“Across the board, young Bobby Fischer of the United States will for his reckless charge … a charge for glory and money.
“The action will begin … Kt-KB3, Kt-KB3, P-KKt3, P-QB4, Kt-B3, B-Kt2, P-Q4 … Oh, what action! Even my hands are shaking.
“If only my colleague, Dondy Dan, could be here to witness this combat.”
“WHY, MAN, I'm right here with you, Coward. This heah is something. I know this, before this day is over one of these heah men going to get rooked.”
“Dondy, you do pop up in the strangest places. Excuse me, but look at what's happening. The Russian is walking out now.”
“WHAT's THAT DUDE want, Coward? More money … or more ice. Hey, by the way, what did you say the name of this heah place we're in was … Raykjavik?
“Spell that for the folks, Coward.”
Battle Of Ideas 04 Jul 1972, Tue The Charleston Daily Mail (Charleston, West Virginia) Newspapers.com
