GERMAN WINS WORLD TITLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 997, 13 June 1930, Page 1

GERMAN WINS WORLD TITLE

JACK SHARKEYJLOSES ON A FOUL SENSATIONAL END TO BIG BOUT SCHMELING VICTORIOUS, BUT DOWN AND OUT A GERMAN has won the heavy-weight boxing championship of the world. Last evening at New York Max Schmeling defeated Jack Sharkey (United States) on a foul which occurred in the fourth round, and thus won the title. He is the first German to gain the championship, which has been held by Americans since 1908.

Vnitei P.A.—By Telegraph —Copyright Reed. 2 p.m. NEW YORK, Thurs.

The odds lengthened to two to one in favour of Sharkey before the men entered the ring. In round one Schmeling was covering UP. Both fought leisurely and slowly. It was Sharkey’s round by a slight margin. In round two, Sharkey’s lefts and uppercuts were proving effective. The men were fighting more spiritedly. It w as Sharkey’s round. Iu the third, the American staggered his opponent with three rights to the head, and drove him to the ropes with another right and left to the face, and then uppercut the German with a right to the face. Schmeling was holding on, and looked beaten.

Sharkey was punishing him badly on the head and body. It was Sharkey’s round. Round four saw Sharkey trying hard for a knock-out. He dropped Schmeling with a left to the body. Schmeling claimed a foul, but the bell ended the round, and Schmeling was carried to his corner crying “I have been fouled.” The round ended at the count of six with Schmeling on the floor. Sharkey ran across the ring when the bell rang for the fifth, but Schmeling would not come out. The count went on as both fighters' managers crowded into the ring and besieged the referee. There was a terrific din when finally the referee announced a foul. Thus a contest which was avowedly for the world’s championship ended with the German contender the victor, lying helplessly on the canvas. SHARKEY IN TEARS Only one of the two judges saw the foul blow struck, the other judge and the referee being out of position to see where Sharkey’s hammering left landed. Sharkey’s face streamed with tears when he heard the decision, which makes the German champion at least in New York State, unless the Boxing Commission reverses its previously announced intention to accord such recognition. Jt was a most unsatisfactory ending to a widely advertised contest for a successor to Tunney’s crown. TUNNEY’S COMMENT “From where I sat it looked like a low blow. Ido not care to say any more,” said Tunney, who was a ringside seat. The State Commission’s physician examined Schmeling and announced he found evidences of a foul blow.

Schmeling has stated he is ready to accord Sharkey a return bout.

With a remarkable facial likeness to the greatest draw-card fighter of history, a resemblance that at once won the name of “the German Dempsey,” Max Schmeling, who also when in the ring resembled the old champion in manners, but not in action, was the elect of the many and varied nationalities to meet Jack Sharkey for the heavy-weiglit title. Notwithstanding a sudden trip to the Fatherland when called upon to meet an opponent he desired to avoid. Schmeling came back to fight for the championship, while all the other poor fellows battled to defeat among themselves and against Sharkey. The spectacle of boxing tournaments between British and American troops stationed in Germany after the war led Schmeling to take an interest in the boxing game. Hearing of Jack Dempsey, he made the great slugger his idol, although, apparently, quite unaware that he bore a striking facial resemblance to the “Manassa Mauler,” Six years ago he commenced his career and had more than 40 fights before he went to America. He has been knocked out but he defeated eight of bis opponents with first-round knockouts and now at the age of 24 he has become champion of the world. Born John Cucosckey in New York, but renamed for convenience, Jack Sharkey has known the vicissitudes of a boxer’s life. After being stopped by Rojas in 1924 he came back to defeat some well-performed boxers, one of bis greatest achievements being the defeat of Harry Wills, who for so long dogged the steps of Jack Dempsey. He was matched with Dempsey to find the “logical opponent” for Tunney and was knocked out in seven rounds. In 1928 he battled a draw with Tom Henney, but it was the New Zealander, who had followed up the draw by defeating Jack Delaney, who faced Tunny in the last heavy-weight fight. Sharkey’s behaviour in the past brought him disfavour. He talked himself into greater unpopularity than any other man in the boxing game. But he has fought as well as talked and his persistency has been rewarded despite the >oings and the hootings of the populace. It appears to be Sharkey’s business to get himself unpopular. It is not a new idea and those who have tried it know that unpopularity brings the crowds along to see the object of their contempt battered to defeat. And the fighters collect more money.