IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1491, 13 July 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

[Bt "MEnocnT."] COMBATS & HUMOUR OF JULY 4. Our "Coloured Brother" Again—Boxer and True Prophet. Tho alleged conflict between "Jack" Johnson, and "Jim" I'lynn proved anything but a match, and it settled, once and for all, as far as tho present day is concerned, die notion that rack a person as a real "white hope" existed. J?lyrin lias, without doubt, proved his claim to bo considered the best white heavy of tliQ dny, but, alongside Johnson, his figure of merit is zero. Against tangford, Al'Vay, and Jeanuette, too, ho would probably fare just as badly. Judging from the cabled account last week's contest was a disgraceful affair altogether. Tho fact that an American crowd hooted the white man for his unfair tactics is sufficient proof of this—and the only purpose which it served was that it alforded Johnson'another opportunity of demonstrating that ho can always tell beforehand tho round in which any of his contests will finish. He prophesied truly in his encounters with Burns and Jeffries, and again in this one. The impression, which one gets from this is that lie could have won at any time, and this is small comfort to other ■ aspirants for the title. .

The Inevitable Challenge from Burns, Following hia usual custom, "Tommy" Burns challenged Johnson, but it is more than doubtful if the pair will ever again be 6cen in the ring together. JoTinson is apparently intent, on retiring, and 'the chances'are that Burns's knee would prevent his going through the necessary preparation for such a battle. 'In any case, he would be better advised to tackle someone nearer his own calibre—Sam Langford, for instance. . i What a draw this match would , , be; but'the fates seem to be against the two.men meeting. A short time ago wo were informed that thoy were to meet in Canada, but the affair has fallen through;.just, as previous arrangements for a bout between'them have done.

Can Anyone Guess This? Latest news from .Australia is that IL D. M'lritosh has offered Johnson JE6OOO to fight Langford.: The bout is not to take place in Australia, but. svo are /informed tjiat-Australians .may.not have to travel far to witnessJt.. Now,' where is this prospective Mecca-''within easy reach of Australia? "Mercury," for one,''is puzzled to,.place it. .- " ■■ '

March of the Sons of Ham. ,'' ■ , While writing' of the blacks, it is interesting to note that Jeanhette received something in tho nature of a surprise at Plymouth (England) on May 24, in his m α-tcn with South A'frican George.Bodel. in tiie first rounds Jeaunetto acted as if he were merely allowing it to continue onsufrerance, but tho South African attacked per medium of a straight left to such good purpose that the dusky "gentleman had to light his very best to save further trouble Jn the eighth round Bodel. fought brilliantly, but, by this time, Jeannetto had roused himself'to tho' seriousness of tho position, and the end came in the eleventh round, when the South African took the count. .-■''.

Our Poor Old Friend—Bbmbadier Wells, ■roti f i ter ; R!l ' ik fi m 3 c %r that Bombadier Wells is no better than Gunner Moir and other Lnglish heavy-weights of recent years, for a defeat in three rounds rit the hands ot such a comparative novice osAI. ralzer is a poor advertisement of Wells'a championship claims. ,The trouble with the ffx-soldier seems 'to bo his physique, for. his cleverness is admitted on all sides Mt. ?m.. m height, and weighing 15st. in condition, besides being young to boot, lalzorhaa'tho physical making of a champion,-btft he has a Ion? road to climb beforo ho reaches that "little green patch on top of the hill" whoreon the ohampions bask amidst their glory and their dollars. -, -. ~ " Sal "'" Longford's manager, for one, believes that Palzer would have little chance with Ilynn, and, if this estimate is correct, Johnson M'Vay, Langford, and Jeaunetto will bo in their second childhood beforei ho can have a ghost of a chance of cutting oven with. them.

A Mysterious Kind of Conflict. The Wolgast-Bivors contest on July/4 seems, from • the vague cable messages received, to have been a somewhat mysterious affair. That a decision should have been given when bpth men were on their backs, in the ring, and that the refereo should liavo disappeared immediately after naming the* winner, are rather suspicious circumstances. The "Eeferee's" American commissioner has a keen nose for-any shady doings in the pugilistic world, and his 'comments'on this latest possibility of a ring tragedy will not doubt be interesting.

M'Farland's Long Quest for Wolgast,'; Probably more energy has been expended in the talkj which, £.as gone on for the last two or three years, over the possibility of Wolgast and MTarland meeting, than would be.'used up. if-the two actually-met) and the latest burst in this line ended, as usual, in nothin gbeing done. It seemed likely' that the' pair would meet in a ton-round affair, but, when only 15,000 dollars was the highest bid offering Ly any of the New York clubs, Wolgast pulled _in his horns. It seems that tho champion cannot go ten rounds for less than 20,000 dollars, and, as this is about all that a meeting, between him and M'Farland would draw in New York, his chance of getting it may be imagined without any serious effort.

The Englishman Laid' Low. Says James J. Corbett on the "Packy" M'Farland-Matt Wells bout:—' "About the fight itself? Well, Matt gracefully took'a good licking; was' ; : completely outclassed from start- to finisn. Some say the game littlo Englishman did not show the form of previous starts in this country. Maybe not. Ho was laid up 'for several months during the winter, and may, not have quite up to top speed, but at his very best form it is extremely doubtful if he could hope to do much better. Even allowing for the long lay-off, "Matt" might have . shown at least, a flash of form, if only for a round or two; in the Gar- , den bout lie.was never in ; the hunt— as the pioturewill show. M'Farland has the habit of making, an opponent look foolish; and "Matt" discovered early in the contest that he was competing with a much botter boxer than lie had ever met in his previous ex- ■ cursions to this country. It is all well enough to boast of victories over the Kndck-out Browns, the One-round Hogans, and the Leach Crosses, but M'Farland's superiority over that class of boys was never more strikingly emphasised than by the maomer he handled Wells throughout.

The Frays of the World's "Feathers." . "Johnny , '/ 1 Kilbane, world's featherweight champion, gaye "Fraakie" Burns the "father of a good one" at Now York on May U, but a week later, at Boston, was. hard put to it to secure n. draw against ono "Jimmy" Walsh, who punched him merrily for two-thirds of the journey, and spoilt his returns by tying mm up in the clinches. Kilbano (foes not seem to havo made much of an impression in tho East, where he is considered to bo all flash—tho "Jack" O'Brien of his class.

Approaching New Zealand Championships, Judging by tho list of entries, local patrons of tho "noblo art" have a treat in store for them on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, when tho Now Zealand championships will bo decided. A together thcro are 51 entries in nil classes,: these being made up as follow:—Bantams, !); feathers, 12; light-weights, 0; welterweights, 8; middle-weights, '8; heavyweights, 8. In tho heavy division, such irell-knou-a performers as Fitzsimmons (Timaru), M'Quarriq (Invercargill), Bartlett (Christchurch), and Matthews (Dunedin) read the best, and such men should furnish como exciting bouts. Cade (Canterbury), Borlmm (Otago), Finnio ''(Wellington), and Moringhnn (Oliakune) aro all proved men in tho middle-weights. In tho wolterdivisiiin. Withy «Jtn«o). Watchorn (I'almeivtton. North), .Mitchell (Aucklnml), nnd Duudry (Canterbury) axe, perhaps IJiq_

best of a rather fine lot. Then the lightweights have "Spi" Thomas (Otaki), Simpson (Christohurch), North (Otago), and Foley (Now Plymouth) amongst thoso competing, and they should, ono would think, furnish come- clover contests. Perhaps the best boxers at the meeting mil bo iouncl amongst the feathers. Lone (Otngo), Goodman (Otago), Laerv and Stewart (Wellington), E. Gundry (Ashburton), Jervois (Mnnawatii), and L : a.rr (Wairarapa) are a clever bunch indeed, end it is a thankless task endeavouring to pick tho winner, but Lane may secure tho title. As usual tho bantams are a skilful lttlo coterie. Among them Gunn limaru), Payne (Auckland), O'Neill Wesrport), Kutner and Langridge (Wolwgton), aro well up to the average of previous years. ' Last year's (heavy), Cado (middle), W.ithev (welter), Goodman (feather), and Gunn "(bantam)— will bo competing. Maxwell, holder of the light-weight title, lms turned professional, and, of course 7 will not bo competing. Hogan, of Wanspjiui—a conr.ftitor in tho welter division--is both deaf and dumb, but that does not interfere with his boxing, as numerous opponents hlavo testified.

The "Point" That Wellington Strove to Hit.

It is interesting to note, in connection with tho meeting, that the- Wellington Association's protests against tho council's proposal to appoint six men to take over the duties of referee and judges has borno fruit. At its last meeting the council agreed to tho appointment of Messrs. Sampson (Wellington)'' and Sharplin (Staveley) to fill tho jiositions of judges, with, Mr. Bush, of Nelson, as referee. This limitation of the judging to three men wall secure that, at any rate, a uniform standard will bo set,

The Pathos of Old "Hock" Keys. "Hock" Keys is anxious for a, "third time on earth," as far as the ring is concerned, and, in consequence, made haste to accept young ■ Hanloy's challenge to anyone in Australia. On past ferm, Keys should- win, but the trouble with most of -thoso who try to "come back" is that their form is too f*r post to be of any use to them. Will "Hock" again prove an exception? "Jack" Bead advanced another rung up the light-weight ladder by defeating "Rod" Standon in Sydney tho other night, but his showing after the first few rounds was somewhat disappointing on account of his "roughing it, instead of keeping to the legitimate work.

% On Thursday "Mercury" received a call Irom Billy Hanson, who was bo much to the. foro in the local boxing-world last season. The young West Maitlaridtor arrived by the Sydney boat on WednesUQ) r i and is open to engagement. Associations please note. '