The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-27
.PLACKE IS BIGGEST MAN
EVER SEEN IN THE RING
His Methods Are Unknown, but
1t Is Believed He Is Slow
in Ring.
MAY BE HARD TO HURT

NEW YORK, March 26.-Men very much
unmatched in size have met in the prize
ring. Heenan was great deal bigger than
Sayers Charley Mitchell looked like a boy
alongside of Sullivan, Dunkhorst would
make two of Fitz; but pair ever shook
hands in the center unequally built as
Henry John Joseph Placke and Kid Nc
Coy.
Placke is the biggest man ever seen in
the ring. He is the biggest man you would
see anywhere outside of a museum. He
can only be compared to Finn McCool,
noted prize fighter, who lived in Ireland
several thousand years ago, and was so
long that he couldn't lie down to sleep in
the island without getting his feet wet
every time he stretched.
Mccoy is the smallest boxer who ever
tried for a front seat in the heavyweight
row. Placke could tuck him away inside
his shirt without giving his waistcoat but
tons any extra labor.
While McCoy's ring methods are, of
course, very well known, those of the Hol-
land champion can only be guessed at. He
has been at work in the gymnasium,
but only in very Indifferent one-minute
bout with 'Yank'' Kenny. 1t was the first
| time they had met, and it was very evident
| that Placke not putting his real work
on exhibition.
Indeed, he may have something in his
| glove that no one not Immediately inter
/ ested in him will be allowed to discover I'M
| Til he empties Ii out in the ring.
! So that the only comparison to be made
/ at this time must be based solely on his
/ facial characteristics and his physical
makeup. Both indicate that he Is slow
/ slow in relation to the speed of Mccoy
/ That, however. damages him nothing, for
none of the big fellows is fast in McCoy's
/ company.
And, again. there are different speeds.
Placke may be fast enough in his own way.
toned. but if it gets there. no matter how
awkward, WHAT'S the difference?
What little has been seen of him in ac-
ton showed him fatfooted, Our speedy ones
are on their toes when they are in hurry.
/ Still, even with his heels the floor he
| covered floor with much stiffness. He
can rush. 1t looks as If he will depend
| greatly a rush to hurt his man. And
a rush, with all that weight behind it, if it
doesn't run of the track, will bring down
| anything human it meets.
| He must be hard to hurt 1t will prob
ably take many solid punch to the right
| spot to shake UP this mountain of Drawn.
| Mccoy will have TO have all his old-time
| hitting powers reincarnated behind his
shoulders to make any impression here.
| friend told the Kid that he could
arrange it so that Placke might be seen
at work.
You might get line on him. said the
| friend.
Il don't care a slam what the Dutchman
can do" replied Mccoy. Il know l can't
miss him. That's good enough for me-
This is no doubt true. Mccoy ought to
| find Piacke like breaksticks. but suppose
| it is case of the dog and the locomotive.
| You know the dog boosted that he could
| catch the locomotive.
| But if you do" asked the parrot, what
| will you do with it?
| Placke is certainly very much in earnest
| 1t is in his phlegmatic disposition TO take
himself seriously. and he is working up at
Johnson's roadhouse like man trying to
catch train.
His match with Mccoy is but curtain
| raiser to fetch him before the American
public-thats the way he views il. 1t is
Jeffries he is after, and the consequent
| championship of the world, which he wants
| TO take back to Holland and lay at the feet
| of his beloved little Queen-not for her own
| use, of course, but as an added glory to
| her crown.
And, after all, history. even ring history.
| travels in cycles. Wouldn't it be strange if
the worlds heavyweight championship
were to leave America for the Netherlands
Ii would not only be strange; it would be
funny.