BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 7 February 1914, Page 7

BOXING.

ANOTHER "WniTK IIOPK." Writes an American correspondent ot the New Zealand Herald:- - The United States believes it has at last evolved a "white hope" capable of meeting the negro. Jack Johnson: with at least, a chance of capturing for the Caucasian race the heavyweight championship of the world. '•Gunboat" Smith, who. hi' his defeat of Arthur Pelky in San Francisco on New Year's Dav,' following victories he has achieved over all the other white heavy-weights of prominence, and also over Sam Lai'gford. the negro who recently returned from Australia, is the man who has earner! the right, to challenge Johnson. The black man is in Paris, and it is ; doubtful if he ever will return to America. He has estreated hail in Hie sum of 30,000 dollars, on a "white slave" charge, and upon setting foot ill this country, will be. sent, to prison for a year. 'Should such a light lake place, therefore, it would most likely be :n Prance or Belgium. Gunboat Smith's manager proposes to take him to Europe within the next three mouths, and has already issued challenges to Johnson and to Georges Carpcntier. the 'frenchman who twice defeated Bombardier Wells, the Englishmen. KhoiiM Smith defeat the negro, he will be t.nc most popular man in America, and there will be practically no limit to what (he public will pay to see him in Ihe ring or on the stage. His light with Pelky was very one-sided. The latter, who is a Canadian, under the management ■>' Tommy IStirns, former champion of the world himself, is the lighter whose (Tgiit with Luther McCarthy ended lalally for the latter. He proved slow auiljilto-n-ether wanting in ringcrafi, ami Smith had no dilliculty in beating him in fifteen rounds. Kven so. Gunboat Smiths performance was not altogether satisfactorv to his friends, lie was wild, and missed manv blows, lie is unquestionably the best heavy-weight in America 10-lav. hill the Johnson who whipped Jeffries in Reno three years ago would have no dilliculty in disposing of Smith. . ~ \ustralia mav possibly have a vi-it from Willie Ritchie, light-weight champion of the world. Tommy Hum-, war) is well known to the Australian snovti„g public, has suggested to Ritchie that a. snug fortune awaits linn there, and the champion is considering the matter. Bums sa.'.s lie has no .brnb lmt that a match between llilcl tml ~„ Australia,, like Mehcgan wouhl draw elose to CIO.OOO. He -do,.- not think ■ UUchic would have much l''"»hle m I„.,(in.r Mehr-.-an. bul believe- ll.e at-(,-u-li™ v.ould 1". a pvoOlablc one >ii .Australia. Ritchie's >,.•>.! li-iht in Amc,- ~,, will be --ill' ■'■"■■''>■"' ' > - MMI t„h . ~f N.-w York.