HEAVYWEIGHT CROWN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 627, 4 September 1933, Page 2

HEAVYWEIGHT CROWN

CARNERA'S TITLE BIG ITALIAN A VERY MUCH IMPROVED BOXER. SPORTS CRITICS OPINION. "With his victory over Jack Sharkey, Primo Carnera attaihed heights undreamed of three years ago (writes Nat Fleiseher, in "The Ring.") The Italian did not show anything in the first five rounds, other than his strength and towering height. But what he unleashed in the sixth round convinced the seeptics that he had improved a thousand-fold since he last fought Sharkey, and that it will take an exceptional heavyweight to dethrone him. The victory was a clean-cut one and entitles the Italian to all the credit that goes with such a triumph. There was no suspicion attaehed to the win, beeause everybody plainly saw the knock-out blow and there could be no talk about its being a fluke. The Venetian's victory was such as to make most experts feel that Carnera can hold the crown for a long time. The only person in the limelight at present who has a chance of dethroning him is Max Baer, and it is doubtful if they will come together for at least a year. And when they do, Carnera will be installed a favourite, and justly so. It does not seem likely that Carnera's handlers will consent to an early defence of his crown. They have other irons in the fire — a trip to Italy and a pick-up of some loose ehanga in exhibitions and in the movies. You can't blame them for that, for the combination of world champion heavyweight plus the greatest freak of modern times, makes a great headliner for Carnera. His Pride. Sharkey boxed nicely until he rushed pell-mell into his doom beeause of his pride. True, many of his punches missed, but that was unavoidable in fighting against a giant like Carnera. On the other hand, many hit the mark though they were of the long range variety. On four accasions Sharkey's right struck Primo's chin with force and shook him, but the Italian did not seem to mind that. He fought coolly and cautiously. Not once until the £nal round did he even attempt to do the leading. He let Sharkey do all that. Frequently he looked to his corner for instructions from Bill Duffy, to whom he gives full credit for having developed him from a crude novice into a world's champion in a year and a-half. So powerful was Carnera that time and again he handled his 2001b opponent like a child would handle a toy balloon. He just whirled him around at will when in close and pushed and shoved him all over the ring when 1 pressed. That continued until the. sixth, when the tide turned and the Italian became a ferocious gladiator. Then the big fellow suddenly went on .a rampage. He simply wouldn't be stopped. He sensed victory and he was there to take full advantage of every opportunity presented. In that, he was following instructions from his corner to "make it this round." Like a Veteran. What has happened since Carnera was put on his own proves that it was silly to have had him campaign jthrough the country for a year against set-ups. There never was the necessity for handling him with such care. Sharkey fought as well for five rounds as he has ever appeared against any opponent, yet Carnera

tossed him around like a child, and fought more like a veteran than many heavyweights who have been appearing before the public for five. years or more. Carnera lacked the science that was Tunney's or the sting that was boasted by Dempsey, yet he showed sufficient to make the f olks realise that he is no dub. He can fight and he packs a wallop. He can take it and he can give it. That is all anyone cares about when discussing a fighter. He lacks class, it is true, but if he could absorb so much new stuff in one year as he placed on display against Sharkey, there is no telling what he may flash in addition, when he next comes out to defend his title. Standing 6ft 6in and weighing 260 |lb, as he did against Sharkey, he is the heaviest man who has held a world title since the days of Charley Freeman a century or more ago. Compared with him, Sharkey and the other champions, except Willard, who was 6ft 64in, looked like pygmies. Sharkey in defeat was as much a champion as he ever appeared. After he was tossed about like a child in the first round, he showed his mettle by coming back with bells on. His huge opponent clubbed him and pushed and shoved, at every opportunity, yet Sharkey did not step back as would be expected in such eircumstances. With rapier-like stabs to the body and flying hooks to the jaw, many of which landed, he kept driving the Venetian baekward. _ There was plenty of fearlessness in that attack of Sharkey, a fearlessness that was commendable considering the odds he was facing in bulk, reach and

height. TSvery time Carnera got Sharkey to the ropes he clubbed him almost out of the ring. He drove Sharkey's head back through the upper strand four times and once almost shoved him off the platform. On several occasions while Sharkey was against the ropes he received crashing blows to the body which he could not stop beeause of his position. That in itself, proved that Carnera had learned the tricks of his trade from Bill Duffy and was taking advantage of every opening he obtained. Financial Failure. Pugilistically, the bout was a great success beeause it ended as heavyweight fights should wind up — by a knock-out. Finaneiallv it was a fail-

ure, beeause the average fan did not believe that Carnera was the proper opponent for the champion and figured he was simply in there. to enable the Madison Square Garden Corporation to stage a championship affair. Now that Carnera has gained the title by the knock-out route and Max Baer has eliminated the former champion, Max Schmeling, in the same manner, a Baer-Carnera bout will be a "natural." It will revive interest in boxing and will bring back to the sport at least the half-million-dollar gate. Both. are colourful. Each has proved himself a hitter. Both are tall, : burly-built men who appeal to the I

average fan. But I doubt that such a bout will be staged this year. There is too much money to be made by Carnera without taking any risks so far as his title is concerned, and his advisers will see to it that he takes the easiest way for at least a year As for Sharkey, his days are over. He announced after the fight that he is not yet through with the ring. He now wants a shot at Baer to prove his right to a return battle with Carnera, but such a bout would mean nothing to boxing. It would simply aid "Sharkey to make a little more money. As for Baer, it might put him out of the picture. Now that he is the ranking challenger, he would be f oolish to risk that status, for he is the logical opponent for Carnera — the only man in the game who can bring out throngs to see him and the Venetian. [