“UPPER CUTS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 743, 16 August 1929, Page 7

“UPPER CUTS”

Fritz Holland's Boxing Reminiscences MAN WHO BEAT DARCY Famous as the only man who twice defeated Les Darcy, in a roped ring, Fritz Holland, one of the outstanding boxers in Australia or New Zealand in pre-war days, has published in book form a series of articles he wrote for the Sun Newspapers. Holland’s “Upper Cuts” take the form of humorous reminiscences of many of the incidents of his long and varied ring career in America. Australia and New Zealand. These tales are told with no little literary ability and a delightfully fascinating touch. Below is appended one of Fritz’s choicest yarns. Realisation John L. Sullivan, at one stage of his career was a hard drinker. Indeed, he had become a notorious drunkard. But later he reformed, and eventually he lectured against the liquor trade. At one time, while champion of the world, he was in San Francisco, and at about sunrise he had finished an allnight carouse that had left him helpless. He leaned over the bar in a waterfront saloon, almost asleep. The negro porter, cleaning up the place, asked him to move aside. Sullivan abused him roundly. The porter put a hand upon John L.’s arm to urge him aside. Thereupon John L. made a lurch at the porter; the porter pushed John L., and the heavy-weight champion of the world fell on the broad of his back, and slept soundly. “Do you know what that; is?” asked the barman. "No, I don’t, an’ I don’t care if it’s John L. Sullivan; he’s gotta shift outa my way when I’m scrubbin’ out.” said the poretr. “Why, man, that is John L. Sullivan,” the barman told hint. "Whut?” shouted the porter. The barman repeated the statement. “Whah’s mah hat? Lemme out ’fo’ he comes to.” And the porter was gone! (“Upper Cuts” is published by the New Century Press (N.Z.), Ltd., Wellington.) OLDEST BOWLER IN AMERICA Officials of the American BowlingCongress have just discovered the oldest active bowler in the country. He is Jacob Freeh, former chief clerk of the adjutant’s office in Washington, D.C. Mr. Freeh is now in his 83rd year. He has been bowling regularly for 71 years—or long before any of the bowlers who took part in the recent A.B.C. pin meet were born. Mr. Freeh is to be suitably rewarded for sport, through the award of a medal by the A.B.C. When the Washington veteran began bowling, the game had just been imported to this country from Germany. This, of course, was before the days of maple alleys and scientifically manufactured bowling balls. He was attracted to the game because he needed exercise for a rapidly expanding girth. Despite his age, Freeh rolls at least one game each day.