RESPECT FOR BRADDOCK

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

RESPECT FOR BRADDOCK

SCHMELING IN LONDON Max Schmeling the “Black Uhlan,” of Germany, as he is known in America, stepped from an air liner at Croydon recently, on his way from Germany to America where he will be fighting Jimmy Braddock in June, 1937. Schmeling looked every inch a sportsman. Big and handsome, he was a notable figure in his well cut light grey ulster, beneath which trousers of a darker shade were showing. He waved a bottle green hat cheerily in response to his welcome and his brown-eyes were sparkling when he was fired with questions. “I have already made my plans,” said Schmeling, “and I think they will take me back to the heavyweight championship of the world. I shall go to America in January, and fight Braddock in June.” When it was pointed out to him that Jimmy Johnston, the Madison Square matchmaker, had said he would try to substitute John Henry Lewis for Schmeling, the German only laughed and said significantly, “We all know Jimmy Johnston.” Schmeling added that he had not the slightest doubt that his fight with Braddock would go through as planned. He is under contract for that bout, and he means to profit from it. He agreed that Joe Louis was as good inside the ring as he looked from outside. “Louis is a strong young fighter, fast and a hard puncher,” declared Schmeling, who added that his defeat of the Brown Bomber was the result of careful planning before the bout. He spoke with even greater respect for the ability of Jimmy Braddock, who was a boxer of outstanding cleverness, and a wily campaigner.