In America boxers and wrestlers fight their way to championships, fight to keep them and then eventually are beaten back down to the lower levels by rising young fighters. Then they quit, usually punch-drunk and mentally crippled and grubbing around for any work they can get.
    It was a pleasant surprise to see the stalls inside the Sumo arena, the little restaurants run by the retired wrestlers who quit and retain their highest rank won, then have priority in opening a concession of some sort. Where American retired fighters are broke and punch-drunk, retired Sumos can just sit around and get drunk. Of course not all American fighters end up broke. It's a tradition for successful, ones who are lucky or smart enough to quit before they're crippled to open a restaurant. Jack Dempsey has two, Joe Louis has one, Robinson had one and many others are in the trade.
    For Sumo Wrestlers in particular it's a good deal. They can eat all they want, as long as they don't eat themselves out of business. Then if busi-ness is bad they can just reach out the front door and grab someone on their way into the arena and ask them which they 'd like to do, buy some lunch or pay their own hospital bill. Good way to do business.

(To Be Continued).