Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-04
FUNNY TALES FROM
THE BOXING ARENA
Fistic Heroes Recall Amusing In
cidents of Their Ring
Careers.
WILLIE LEWIS HAS
SPORT WITH BRITISHER
Young Corbett Strings" Battling
Nelson Before He Is Knocked
0ut-John L. on Job.

1t is perhaps a difficult matter to be-
lieve that there are any good-natured
pugilists because of the strenuous lives
they lead but 1t is nevertheless fact
that many fighters revel in funmaking
when they let up in their training. Some
of the best trainers of pugilists say that
good humor is an important factor in
scoring successes in the ring, and that
pugiIists who enjoy a good laugh now and
then while preparing for a mill are easy
10 handle and invariably show cool-head-
I'd judgment.
y fighter with hot temper seldom
climbs the ladder, because he is inclined
to lose his bearings under fire and there
by permits his antagonist to take advan-
tage of his errors of judgment. Jeffries,
Fitzsimmons. Sharkey. Mccoy, Nelson.
Driscoll, Attell and other great pugilists
possess even temperS and consequently in
all OF their battles they have never lost
control of their brains. They have al
ways enjoyed the humorous side of the
boxing game, and have taken part In
many practical jokes.
When Willie Lewis, the sturdy New
York middleweight, came across the At
antic from England recently he thor
Dughly enjoyed himself on the big liner
Oceanic. Among the passengers was
big, important looking EngliShnlan, VINO
seemed to take extreme delight in de-
crying everything American. One after
noon there was an entertainment in the
irst cabin, and the temporary stage was
decorated with an English and an Amerl-
IAN flag. Suddenly the Stars and Stripes
fell to the floor accidentally, whereupon
he Britisher exclaimed:
That's like every blooming lnlnS
American. It's not substantial and is
bound to fall,'
What in thunder do you mean?' de-
nanded Lewis. with fire in his eyes;
Just exactly what / said.' replied the
Briton. Don't you Yankees understand
the English language"
Yes, understand your said the
American fighter. quickly. Just step
Down below and I'll show you how sub
stantial you are"
'.Haw, Haw, A mere stripping like you.
sh? Why. I'd thrash YOU in a jffy!
laughed John Bull as he accepted Lewis
invitation. Boxing gloves were bro>Snt
put and many passengers went below to
see the fun The Englishman was very
aggressive and made a number OF Wild
PUSHES. which Lewis nimbly sidestepped
with a broad grin.
Very clever. Very clever! Mr.. Yam
kee," exclaimed the Briton. But III get
you finally. See if don't"
Lewis continued to feint and sidestep
and did not attempt to land a blow in the
first round In the second round the
young American cleverly ducked the ter
rife punches of his big antagonist. but
5pally lust before time was up he
crossed him with a hard right on the
point of the jaw and the Englishman fell
N heap When John Bull had baen
revived and was led to the deck TO get
4 breath of fresh air, he asked:
g this Yankee. ANYWAY.
Why. he hits like triphamme-" But
Lewis identity was kept secret until
The steamship reached her dock. Then 1t
was that the Briton heard the crowd OF
sports cry out.
"Oh. YOU, Willie Lewis! Welcome to
cur city,
And he's a real fighter. eh?" gasped
The Englishman in astonishment. Well.
who'd have thought it
1T was only a bit of fun" explained
Lewis to his friends later on. Il didn't
want II hurt the big cad. I only gave
aim a little comic lesson in politeness.
Young Corbett and Nelson.
Young Corbett has always been a fun
maker, even in the ring. When lie fought
Battling Nelson the first time he kid
He'd the lightweight champion to such
an extent that the rims side spectators
laughed outright
Who told You that you could fght?"
"crbett whispered in clinch. why.
Bat. you're a joke Even when Nelson
got home a solid wallop OH the jaw Cor
bett continued his joshing.
''Huh, I thought you were a hitter"
he remarked as he came back from this
punch and mixed it holly. You couldn't
put a dent i'll charlotte russo. Say,
what's the name of the town your came
from?''
Nielsen was furious and was on the
point of replying when he cooled Oft