NINE COURT ACTIONS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 61, 4 December 1937, Page 17

NINE COURT ACTIONS

BOXER'S RISE TO FAME actions against tommy farr MRS. G. COOK'S CHALLENGE "DOESN'T SHE LOVE HER HUSBAND?" Having alreaay had four actions, with five more listed, Tommy Farr feels that climbing the ladder of fame has one disadvantage, inasmuch as there is always the danger present that somebody might kick it out from under you, says the Sydney correspondent of the Sydney Referee. He claims that he did not get anywhere near discussing a contest with Len. Harvey, much less terms, and so he cannot understand how Harvey came to make the statement that he had demanded £10,000 for a fight in England. He claims that unfair publicity in the United States lost him £20,000. Tommy forgets that when he landed at Southampton he prasied the New York sporting writers. He says that he was said to have fought Baer when the latter was all washed out; that he was paid to lose his fight with Louis; that he would not do any training, and that he would use fqul tactics, with the result that his fight with Louis was not so well patronised by the public. Dealing with his British challengers, Tommy discloses a rare sense of humour. ln reply to the challenge issued by Mrs. George Cook, on behalf of her husband, Tommy says, "Doesn't she love him any more?" In a reply to a similar challenge _ from Larry Gains, he said, "Gains toHght me. Well, you can tell Larry from me that attempting suicide is a serious offence in this country!" As regards McAvoy and Harvey, Tommy is a trifle contemptuous of them. "Im willing to be locked up in a gymnasium with either of them." As for the others, Tommy says, "I'll fight them for nothing." Tommy Farr has a right to complain, though he cannot shirk part r«sponsibility for the situation he finds himself in. As he says, "For nine years I struggled, but that seems to mean nothing to them." Tommy became a little "heady" after his fight with Louis. Some of his present modeity would .have saved him much of the coldness that he now finds in boxmg ciicles. He has done what no other Britis'n boxer in modern times has done; he has held the champion of the world the full distance. He gave British boxing back the prestige that other British boxers had taken from it. If the present attitude towards him continues Tommy Farr will be of no use in any ring, either on this side of the Atlautic or the other. , Tommy knows fighting, but he does not know the game from the staaipoint of the promoters. And when fce does, maybe it will be too late, for he does not show the lea&t desire to leacn. The law courts of England may tsach him n.ore than the ring has taujht him. Nine court actions will make a hole in what money he has left. And Tcmmy, like other boxers, has a soft spot for the coin.