BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 6

BOXING.

JU-JITSU OR THE GLOVES? ,"I reckon I can beat either 'Sam' M Vca or 'Sam , Langford in an hour." I he sneaker (says the Sydney ".Sun") was ' not 'Jack Jonnson or some other reJiowned boxer seeking notoriety who made the declaration, but Professor Stevenson, the ju-jitsu. expert.. The professor is very keen on meeting ono of the two coloured boxers, as he is convinced of liis ability to show that boxing, even in the hands of such capable exponents, is not the equal of the Japanese art as n means of self-defence. Not being a moneyed man, ho cannot talk in thousands, but ho is prepared to wager either M'Vea or Langford a modest .£l5O that in 12 bouts of .five minutes each he can compel his opponent to cry enough seven times. "This is not a new idea of mine," the professor explained, to-day. . "The challenge has been out for months to auy man in Australia, and 1 am only renewing it for the benefit of these two coloured boxers. They are great men at their own game, but I havo maintained oil along, and am of tho same opinion still, that with ju-jitsa I can beat any boxer living. I accounted for "Bill" Squires and others, and I think I can do the same with either of these men. I'will place no restrictions on them or make any impossible stipulations. Tho boxer will appear after his custom, wearing the police regulation gloves. I will come forward in ordinary costume. "As a matter of fact, 1 don't care what gloves tho boxer wears. Ho need not wear any at all if tho police will permit him. 1 would then bo able to play on his hands. A fellow at Broken Hjll thought he had shown me a point when ho put on a pair of ball-punching gloves; but I soon made him sorry he had not more covering on his hands. "Xow, this challenge gives either AlTea or Langford an opportunity to prove what is contended as to the defence valuo of boxing. They will doubtless say that boxing is by for the best. I maintain that ju-jitsu is superior, and I am prepared fo back up my contentions to the tune of .£l5O. I will lodge the money which will belong to the man who accepts my challenge Immediately I fail to win seven nj the 12 bouts. Of course if I am knocked out I am beaten, but I am prepared to take that risk." JOHNSON AND M'VEA. On receipt of the news that he had been matched to meet Johnson. M'Vea was sought out by a "Sunday Times" representative, and though usually very quiet and self-contained, and much more reticent than are most of his calling, he could not refrain from oxhibitiug tho delight he plainly felt at the prospect of again meeting Johnson. • "I tell you," said M'Veo, "that's tho best New Year's gift fortune could havo handed me. I wanted to moot Johnson badly, and tried to arrange for a match in the Old World or America, but he put all sorts of obstacles in tho road until Mr. M'lntosh got him down to business, and I came all the way to Australia because the achievement of the ambition of my career appeared within nasy distance. I had always hoped that wo might face each other again—particularly 05 I knew that lliml improved through greater experience and matured a eood

deal sinco we last met in ,the ring. I ■am now more than satisfied that that impression was no false one. My defeat of Langford convinced me; ho is one of the greatest men in the business, and as you Sydney people know, was considered •in America and England tho only logical opponent for Johnson after tho latter .defeated "Tommy" Burns, but Johnson could never bo induced to face him. However, I never showed any weakness that way. "Certainly I villi rcinaiu at Johnson's pleasure, &o eager am I to get within touch of him, and as this climate suite mo well I think I will shape up as fit as ever I was at any period of my career. "Ye?, we met before—throe time*— when I was only on t.hc threshold of the fighting business. That was in 190H, and I nin 28 years old now. Johnson was adjudged to have outpointed me twice and on the third occasion I had the bad luck to be knocked out withia a few seconds of the close of the twentieth round. However, you 'will tee when we meet in Sydney that 1 am no romaucer." Since the above- was published it has been decided that the meeting will take place in Pan's. LESTER AND THOMPSON. "Jack" Lester and "Cyclone" Johnny Thompson buvo been matched for January 10 (says tho Sydney "Referee"). This should turn out the clash of clashes. Johnny says if ho does not beat Lester he will go straight back home by ' the first boat afterwards. "Then he'll surely catch the Makuni on January 15," was Lester's rejoinder, when Mr. M'lntosh. mentioned tho "C.vdqne's" remark. The, match is at catch-weights. PRAISE FOR SMITH. Says tho Sydney "Referee": "Tommy Burns called in specially yesterday" to say this: "I told Dave Smith when the match was made between him and Lester that if ho won, I would bo the first to come along and givo him his full measure of credit. I would like to redeem thai promise through tho "Referee." Smith certainly fought a remarkable battle, and proved himself to bo a great fighter as well as a great boxer j ho stood I that strong boy of mine off in a manner that opened my eyes, never shirking any challenge, and never side-stepping or jumping away when tho chance was anything like reasonable. I liked his pluck and I liked his skill. I wish they could sco him in America, whero men who are boxers as well as fighters are deplorably ecarco just now. . " 'It was just as big a surprise for Lester to find iSinith such a high-grade one. as it was for me, looking on, to see himtreat his opponent as only a master could. <

"'This is due up to the hilt to youl boy, or I would not give it him. , "