BOXERS AND SUCCESS

Evening Star, Issue 22456, 29 September 1936, Page 4

BOXERS AND SUCCESS

SECRETS OF GREAT CHAMPIONS DRAWING POWER OF DEMPSEY'S PUNCH What was the secret of Jack Dempsey’s remarkable success? What was the magnet that drew record crowds to see him in the ring? I’ll tell you. Dempsey had everything. The fierce scowl of an abysmal brute, a terrific k.o. punch; speed, skill, and a friendly smile for everybody when not engaged in mowing down opponents (writes the fight writer, James Butler, in an English paper). Dempsey I regarded as the ideal heavy-weight world champion. No fighter of any generation was moulded by Nature so perfectly. And I’ve seen all the great champions from Jim Corbett down to Tunney. Dempsey became unpopular during the war because somebody started a campaign against him, alleging he was a “ slacker.” These busy bodies used similar mud-slinging tactics against poor Les Darcy, the great Australian. Darcy died of a broken heart; Dempsey ignored his traducers, and to-day is the most popular fighter in XI.S.A. The old “ Manassa Mauler’s ” reputation will bo remembered when other former world champions have been forgotten. Dempsey, as I have said, had everything. NOT A FLAW. He introduced genuine drama into his fights. Action, murderous hitting, 100 per cent, courage, and manliness. There was no flaw in Dempsey’s fighting makeup. I do not quarrel with those who describe him as the “ greatest ever.” When you mention Dempsey, the memory immediately ■ revolves to the world-wide popularity of Georges Carpentier. America idolised him. Called him “ Gorgeous Georges,” and the “ French Orchid.” You can visualise this scene. Carpentier, handsomest fighter ever, debonair, in a dove-grey dressing gown, carefullybrushed hair, and his magnificent smile, bowing with the grace of a courtier as the grey-haired M.C. introduces him to 100,000 frenzied fight fanatics as “ Georges Carpentier, Soldier of France.” Dempsey was then unpopular for the reason I have explained. _ Carpentier was a public idol because of bis charming personality. He was not a great champion, but the men and women of all nations raved over him when ho and Francois Descamps were hitting the news. I remember the tens of thousands of excited, gesticulating people, who filled the streets when Georges used to arrive in London. He hit the highest lights of sport because of that infections smile that had men and women raving about him. Carpentier, too, had a lightning right-hand dynamite punch that earned fame and fortune. And he possessed one of Dempsey’s tremendous attributes —amazing, pluck. Carpentier’s captivating and gracious smile! It brought him more than £IOO,OOO. THE GREATEST EVER. Not even Jimmy Wilde’s greatest admirer could say that the “ Mightiest Atom ” had personality. I watched the frail, _ spindle-legged pit boy in most of his annihilating fights, and never once saw him smile. “ Little Jimmy’s ” face was as expressionless as a Chinese idol! He is no conversationalist in ordinary life. And in a crowd he is usually the least noticed. Yet Wilde is the “ greatest ever ” the ring has produced. More remarkable than Dempsey, more wonderful than Jim Driscoll. Wilde’s name will always endure because of his sledgehammer blows. A merciless'fighter. Ted Kid Lewis, sphinx of the ring, crashed his way to the top with fierce, ruthless fighting. The Kid was merciless with his aggressive battling. He never picked easy jobs, but expressed an enthusiastic keenness to take on champions not only at his own poundage, but in every class to the heavyweights. He was confident of beating Carpentier, and might have done so had he not been guilty of the tactical mistake of looking at the referee instead of his opponent when the referee _ momentarily stopped the bout to caution them for clinching. Lewis’s trump card was fighting from bell to bell with a deadly purpose that thrilled the spectators. I regard Lewis as one of the most brilliant champions we have boasted. Mickey Walker justly earned the title of “Toy Bulldog” by reason of his tenacious thumping. Walker, power-fully-built, was a second edition of Dempsey. He had the old Mauler’s “ killer ” instinct. Evidence of his greatness is proved by his winning the welter and middle-weight world titles. Mickey’s presence in the ring meant unusually severe punishment for his opponents. What a murderous fight it would have been had he and Kid Lewis met when both were at their peak! A totally different type is Gene Tunney. The student-boxer did not believe in brute force. Tunney was a philosopher who placed the science of the game before everything else. Tunney occupies a position on the pedestals of great fighters because he had an intellectual mind. Not only did he gain splendid distinction as the perfect boxer, but he became equally famous for his profound study in the highest planes of literature and art. James Joseph Tunney, I consider, is the best-educated boxer that has ever punched his way to a champion’s throne. BOXING IN AUSTRALIA WIN FOR RON RICHARDS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, September 28. (Received September 29, at 2 a.m.) At the Stadium to-night the Queenslander, Ron Richards (11.3) easily outpointed the Mexican, A 1 Romero (11.4). _ OLYMPIC RUNNER'S FEATS WORLD RECORDS BROKEN Prew Association—By Telegraph —Copyright HELSINGFORS, September 28. (Received September 29, at 2 a.m.) The Olympic athlete Isohollo ran seven miles in 34min 46.8 sec, eight miles in 40min o.2sec, and nine miles in 45rnin 13sec, beating Shm.bb's world records. He also beat Nurmi’s record for 15 kilometres, doing the run in 46min 45.45ec.