New York, Jan. 18.
Despite unofficial betting odds of 4-to-l in favour of Joe Louis, negro world heavyweight champion, John Henry Lewis, negro world light-heavyweight titleholder, expressed great confidence in his own ability to outbox Louis when they clash at Madison Square Garden on Jan-ary 25.
The powerful light-heavyweight champion was in fine fettle today and declared that he was sure of his skill, He claimed he possessed sufficient skill, ringcraft and speed to gain the nod over Louis. am positive I can outpoint Louis" he told newspapermen who visited him at his training quarters at Madame Bey's famous camp.
"Nobody has ever knocked me out," he added. "I have got more speed than Louis" he pointed out when newspapermen asked him why he was so confident he could beat Louis.
Lewis weighed 186 pounds today, but said that he is training hard and expects to enter the ring on January 25 weighing 183. He is concentrating on speed and footwork, He said he should weigh sixteen pound less than his foe.
Louis is around the 200-pound mark, but is not planning to take off much weight at his training quarters at Prompton Lakes. He too, is aiming to increase his speed.—United Press.
Events 9-16
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