IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 20 April 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

[Bi "Meuccet."]

LANGFORD AND HIS FOEMAN

Metamorphosis of Langford,

As surmised last week, Langford'a dash and daring proved too much for M'Vea's caution. It would soem that M'Vea's caution on this occasion was a fearsome thing. Almost every round he started the ball, and then froze into a clinch, which lasted as long as Langford put up with it. And it is doubtful if it saved him much punishment. Langford persistently refused to return tho clinch. Instead, he kept both arms freo and banged, away. And so, through every round, tho smaller man camo in like a sea surge.

Certainly M'Vea took the trouble manfully. To some oxtent his cleverness is shown by the fact that, despite his ' second fiddle" part in the music, he avoided a knock-out. But, at the samo time, lie showed himself wanting in that highest form of fighting— courage—which makes tho real champion keep on tho attack, and so transmutes the dross of a losing battle into the pure gold of victory. Ho seems to have I»en only a passive resistor all through, and, iu'eonset[uence, ho scored only when Langford mndo mistakes. Over a "Marathon" distance, or 45 rorinds or more, this policy might pay, but, in a twenty rounds' bout, which goes the full distance, it is fatal. It is especially fatal against a person like the new Langford. In-Fighting'There Was, Of Course, In-fighting there was in* plonty, as is necessarily the case when one man fights a defensive- battle against another who is continually on tho ntfack, but it was infighting in the best sense. Thero seems to have been no hitting in clinches, but hitting at closo quarters with both arms free. To this there can bo no objection from any point of view. This being-tho cose, it is no wonder that Langford scored so heavily, for, with tho possible exception of Johnson, Langford is beyond doubt the best fighter of tho day at short range. It is a trite but true saying that attack is the best defence, but, at the same time, it is equally true that the ability to defend oneself whilo attacking is rare. And his ability to keep clear of trouble in tho midst of his hurricane attacks is the hall-mark of Langford's cleverness. The "Sydney Reforee"— More Manoeuvre, The threatened trouble over the appointment of a referee was avoided by the appointment of Arthur Scott, who has since (consequent upon Baker's resignation of tho position) been appointed official refereo at the Stadium, fn the course of a letter to tho "Referee," announcing his resignation, Baker likened tho position of refereo to that of a judge. He pointed out tho absurdity of allowing tho whims of the men in tho ring to rulo matters. The simile is an apt one, for what manner of derisivo remark would a disappointed litigant draw from tho public at large if he demanded tho removal of a judge who decided against him in a law case?

Ever since Baker's decision in favour of MWea last Boxing Day, the "Referee" has shown itself to be anything but judicial, and it is any odds that. Baker's resignation is due to tho carping which ho lias been subjected to by that paper. Its otherwise extremely good account of the present contest is badly marred by its tirade against his decision in the former battle, and its pointed praiso of Scott, who, from all accounts, had an easy task. Who Will Meet Langford Next? But to get back to Langford. Who will be his next opponent? M'Vea is sighing for another contest, but Langford has had big offers to meet Tommy" Burns and "Joo" Jcannette. For a contest with Burns at Langdon, Alberta, Canada, a purso of JC7OOO has been offered, and to meet Jeannette in New York he has ken. offered a big percentage of the gate, which would certainly !>o a bumper one. What battles both of these would be! Fighting Langford, Burns would not bo overwhelmed by size and weight, as in his battle with Johnson, and tnero is no shadow of doubt that, given a return to his form of four years back, the Gc-rman-French-Caiiadian would be the toughest proposition Langford lias, yet met—opart from Johnson, of course. He is essentially the samo kind of fighter as Langford—ever on the attack and a demon at closo quarters, and ho is every bit as skilful. Jeannette, too, is a worthy opponent for Langford, as ho showed in their last battle. His style is a mix--ture of M'Vea's and Langford's, his cleverness of the highest order, and his bump of intelligence well developed. Latest advices state that Langford has accepted the Langdon offer, so that Burns will probably bo the next to meet him. Colonials who may try America, Hugh Mehegan, by virtue of his ability to "cover up" iu such a manner as to make it extremely difficult for an op. ponent to reach him, went the full distance with Clabby, and' though appearing at no time likely to earn the verdict, caused tho Yankee seme littlo trouble. Tho littlo Victorian's showing has probably strengthened 'ns intention of going to America. Will ho provo Wolgast's equal? One doubts it. Good ns he is, the Yankee a veritable wonder at his weight, and old "Hock" Keys showed that Mehegan's cleverness is a long way second to his power to hit and tako punishment. "Dave" Smith has departed from England, and in connection with his departure and Mehegan's prospective visit to tho States tho following comments by the "Referee's" American commissioner (in a review of the present state of affairs regarding the middle-weight championship of tho world) make interesting reading:— It seems to me that this would bo a good timo for Smith to put in an appearance in this part of tho world. It he can fight within the recognised middle-weight limit—that is loillb.— ho will bo suro of a number of matches. But even if he cannot conform to middle-weight requirements he will find plenty to do, as good men are scarce, and there is a marked revival all over tli» Stales. Jlngli Mehegan is another who would find quite a demand for his services on this side of the water, and, it goes without saying almost, that if either of the young boxers mentioned make San Francisco his point 'of entry into the United States, and feels like advising with the. "Referee" commissioner before beginning his American career, he will be given friendly counsel. Thero is a report here that Smith is coming under engagement to one of the coast promoters. If he has tied himself up in any way he is illudvispd, a* there is keen competition among mateh T mal;ers iat present, and a lioxer should be free (n accent the be.U flint offers. Then again, by being on the priiund and carefully sci-u----liaising the various bids for liis .services', a boxer has a belter chance of determining which of the propositions placed before him i» the mo>l reliable. If he over reaches America, Smith will find worthy opponents in Frank Klaus and "Eadin" M'Goorbr, who appear to bo tb* moat ErowUinj Ibifc-

ing round -the States these days. Then, too, while iu England, he will probably be matched with George Carpentier, the Frenchman, who has ben carrying all before him of late. A victory over Carpentier would be a great feather in David's cap. Words, Words, and—Johnson. The seemingly never-ending controversy as to who will bo Johnson's nexl opponent goes on apace. His affair with i'lynn is still claimed to be on tho boards, but no definite announcement has yet been made us to its location, and, iu the meantime, there seems to be some prospect of Bombardier Wells stepping in and securing a battle. There is big money offering lor a Wells-Al l'alzer tout, and the Englishman would do well'to accept. Should he defeat Palzer there would bo considerable interest in a Wells-Johnson affair, and his certain end—the loser's— would be bigger than if he were to meet the champion without having "made good" in America by defeating one of the lesser lights, Downfall of the Jewish Feather-weight. The most noticeable pugilistic event of late in the States was undoubtedly (ho contest between "Abe" ' Attell and "Johnny" Kilbane for the feather-weight championship of the world, at Los Angeles on February 22. For years Attell has been at tho top of his class, and ho was confidently expected to retain his laurels in this affray, but he went down, and now finds a distinguished place iu the vast army of ex-champions. There was little difference of opinion amongst the competent ones after tho battle. Almost all agreed that tho little Hebrew had at last met his conqueror. Says the "Referee's" American Commissioner:— Attcll's boasted speed and wonderful cleverness were not in evidence. Kilbano made him look liko a novice in nearlv every round. In but one round, the seventh, did Attell have a lead, and this was not by any means as decisive as that of Kilbane in the remaining rounds. Attell brought tho wrath of the big crowd on his head byfoul tactics. Time and again ho would hold Kilbanc's arms in a clinch, , and oneo in the eighth ho grabbed Kilbane's left arm with both hands and tried to bend it back. In the third he "heeled" the Cleveland boy w-hilo ill a clinch, and once in nearly every succeeding round his work called forth loud hoots and hisses from the spectators. In the sixteenth, after a rush into a clinch to avoid Kilbanc's merciless tattoo on his face and body, Attell butted the Cleveland boy with liis head. At the beginning of the tenth ronnd tho referee stopped tho fight, and, grabbing a towel, thoroughly wined oif Attell's body, which was covered with some oily substance. Attcll's Conqueror. "Kilbanc's work was a revelation to his friends. Entering the ring with heavy odds against him he never faltered for on instant. He was lightning fast both with his hands and feet. A straight left was his favourite blow. Attell seemed wild all through the fight, but this was duo as much to Kilbane's footwork as to any other cause. As early as tho fourth round it was evident that Kilbane was winning, and coolness personified he continued his lino of battle. ' It was josh in, peck Attell with left and right, jump back out of harm's way. This programme ho carried out so successfully that when tho last few roundo wero reached Attell began to show signs of tiring,"