The Washington herald., 1909-04-25

Who is, OF was, the greatest boxer the
world ever produced? This is a question
which is continually asked, SAYS Billy
Recap in the Philadelphia Bulletin.
While the writer does not pretend to be
able 10 answer the question. because his
knowledge IS that Of only tbs modern ring
since Queensberry rules have governed
the sport, yet those who remember Young
Critic must concede the palm to the
elusive Australian until his successor is
developed Harry Tuthiu. regarded as
one OF the best conditioners Of athletes
II the world OF sport. trained GrinO for
four years-or. at best, tried 10 train him
IN those four years GrifTo fought and
bested virtually every man OF his weight
in the world, doing practically all bis
championship work. and yet indulging in
bouts Of dissipation which each time were
50 extreme and prolonged as 10 make it
seem improbable that the man could ever
again be brought back to a stage where
boxing OF any sort would be possible.
To TrthilTs Trojan efforts was Griffo's
success undoubtedly due. and this came
10 be generally recognized by the pro-
moters Of bouts in which Z was desired
70 secure Young Griffo as a competitor.
IN such cases the first item on the pro-
sran2nae vas 10 find Griff0
Inquiries would be made AZ his regular
haunts round the country and the quest
led TO many Unsavory spots. At one time
he was discovered in jail IN New York,
serving cut flve-day sentence for drunk
enness He finished his training in the
Jail. was let out at O'Clock that night
and boxed later on in the evening, show
ing magnificent form.
On another occasion. after trying every
one of his accustomed hsng-Outs round
New YORK. Tuthill. IN desperation. visited
Coney Island, where ne found his prot
ese, fun as a goat shoeless and lhis
clothes - tatters. sitting in the chair at a
shoe-shining parlor and directing Greek
how 70 color and shine up his bare feet
TuthIli's escapades with the homeless
parentless child Of the Sydney rocks would
make an interesting brochure. Here. is
one which the writer knows Of because he
acted as referee Of the bout
Walter Campbell. of this city. known
at the time as one Of the cleverest men
OF his class in the world. wanted Grino
20 come and box him four rounds in his
own club and TuthilI accepted. He started
out TO hunt up Griffo and found him with
? terrific razor cut decorating his face
the result Of the boxers attempt TO break
UP a negro dance. It looked very bad, 50
far ss any prospect Of a battle was con
cerned. but Griffo, when the situation was
explained 10 him. remarked in his quaint,
cOckney dialect that the cut made no dif-
ference whatever; any time any man in
the world could hit him In the face he
would Quit boxing, sober I'D and study for
the ministry He carried the cut into
the ring-a grewsome sight
Campbell was managed and seconded
by Arthur Chambers. the predecessor Of
Billy Edwards as. lightweight champion
of tire world. and It was a well-knOwn
fact that Chambers advice was OF great
value 10 Campbell. TUthlI accordingly
instructed Griff0 10 keep Campbell as
much as possible out Of his own corner,
where Chambers could not coach him
The bell rings and GriT0 dances out.
feints his way around Campbell. jabs him
three or four times and backs him Up
into CriIo's corner He keeps him there
tiu the gong rings for the finish OF the
round. and each OF the other three De
riods-they only allowed four in this city
then-is exactly like the flrst Griffo sim
ply handled Campbell as he pleased,
jsbbed his teeth loose. bied his nose.
swelled his ears and. 10 top il all Of.
hanged his fist into CampbelI's Adam 5
apple 50 hard Il might have turned IL
into cider
And all through the fight that gaping
cut Of CRITICS. face was never touched
CampbelTs friends had arrzaged 70 give
him a banquet that night and though
the bout turned out differently from
what they had expected. they had the
stuff ali ordered and pulled II OF just
the same. They finally called Or Camp
bell for a speech. He got up and couldn't
say a word out loud. His throat was vir-
tually paralyzed GrifTo? He was play
ing horse with some British wrestler who
was on hand. challenging the world. with
out sign Of the bout on him anywhere.
Said an enthusiastic Britisher, in talk
ing 10 the writer: ''Oh. there was never
boxer ike that boy, and never viii be-
They say he could stand on a handler
chief and block every blow sent at him
It's true. I've seen him DO Il many a
time. And I've seen him do better than
that I've seen him stand on the hand
kerchief. put both hands in mis- pockets
and, merely by ducking and bending at
the waist. keep a good fast boxer from
putting a glove 10 his face"
CONTRARY 30 general report, GriffO Is !
still alive He now makes his headouar-
ters IN an Illinois wOrkhouse, where he
can always be found. serving out a sen
tence Of varying length Brief periods Of
liberty are always followed by a return
20 conhhepaent The officers Of the insti- /
tuition have a little gymnasium where
Griffo gives boxing lessons. content 10
pass away his days in that way.