Evening star., 1911-08-27
Defeat by Langford Shows
Him He Has Seen His Best
Days in the Ring.
SANS FIGHT FROM START
TO A QUICK FINISH
Negro Surprises Fans by Un-
covering More CIeverness
Than He Ever Displayed.
By James J. Corbett.

Special Dispatch To Inc Sthr.
NEW YORK, August 26.-In his at
tempt to come back in first-class company
PHILADELPHIA Jack O'Brien clearly demon
strated he has seen his best days as an
exponent of Individual supremacy. he
was not anywhere near the O'Brien OF
former DAYS in the Langford fight. True,
for the first round Jack showed a nasn
of that lightninglike speed which was
formerly his greatest asset and landed q
number Of jabs and crosses to the negro
chops, but there was no force benlnd the
nunches At no time had the once great
boxer a look In. From start to finish II
was all Langford.
I.angford, on the other hand. never
showed to better advantage He un-
belted something the sports did not tnihK
he had in his repertoire-cleverness.- ne
actually outpointed O'Brien and satisfied
the crowd that he has a chance with
anybody in the game, not excepting
Johnson Sam is a sawed on indivlduai'
but makes up in width what he lacks In
height He Is also spry on his pins ana
with his cleverness and wonderful nit
ting powers will be difficult man 1or
even the champion to lick.
Sans Stature an Advantage.
Sans stature is an advantage rather
than a handicap. Against johnson l be-
lieve he would make a great showing. with
the chance of landing one of those dis
tressing body punches now and then;
and they carry enough force to put any
body out of business. He has grand mus
cular development; can hit like the kick
of mule, and he seldom wastes punch.
His neck is conspicuous by its absence
and his head draws down into his body a
la turtle. Il is difficult to land a good
wallop flush on his jaw. On account Of
his squatty build Langford would be an
awkward opponent for the champion and
the latter might find his most effective
blow-the uppercut-of no great service.
AS regards height and general makeup
the two men would compare with each
other much as did Joe Choynski and Joe
Wolcott in their memorable battle of a
decade ago. Choynski with all his skill
could not solve the smaller mans style
and before he realized just what sort of a
game he was up against Wolcott got in
several of those piie-driving wallops that
made him famous and the white man for
got all about the science of boxing. Lang
ford would appear to have just as good,
II not better, chance with the champion
than Wolcott looked to have in his bout
with Choynski One thing is certain, un-
unexpected quarter in the near future,
the pugilistic crown will remain in pos
session Of the Ethiopians for quite some
period.
Saved O'Brien From Knockout.
O'Brien was not knocked out cold, the
referee stopping the contest when it
looked as If another blow would turn
the trick, thus sparing the former
light heavyweight champion unneces-
sary punishment. Under the new law
referees will be instructed to stop one
sided contests and to eliminate from
the game every evidence of brutality
whenever possible. The bloodthirsty
hyenas who holler their throats sore
when one poor fellow, through sheer
gameness. prolongs the finish a minute
or two are not to be catered to by the
commission, according to well founded
rumor. Bouts are to be stopped when
in the judgment of the referee one con-
testant Is hopelessly beaten. Such a
victory will be placed to the credit of
the winner in the record books as a
knockout
In the O'Brien-Langford case the
negro clearly proved his superiority,
and 1T was only a question of another
punch or two when the Philadelphia
would Nave been knocked cold. The
man without actually having done SO.
and the records will place the x. o. to
his credit
Gov Dix has appointed James E. Sui
livan. present head of the Amateur
Athletic Union. to take the place on The
state boxing commission refused by
Barlow s. Weeks. and the chief execu-
tive could rot have selected a man
better fitted for the position. Mr.. Sui
nvan's wide experience in all branches
stead. and the professional game will
be benefited through his choice.
Charley Harvey for Secretary.
While formal announcement has not
been made. 1t is conceded that Charley
Harvey will be chosen as secretary to
the commissioners. This position 10 OF
much Importance. tnasmuch as the Sec
retary is to be the man on the job at
all times. and upon his recommendation
will depend the fate of those who dc
not live up TO the strict letter OF the
law. Harvey is a good man for the job
and none is better qualified with ex-
perience.
There are still nasty rumors in circu-
lation anent the recent Palzer-kennedy
contest While the belch that the time
keeper purposely erred, with the re-
suit that round was prolonged some
twenty seconds is more than likely tn
usual cry OF losers. ii would be vel
for the commission to take heed AM
adopt some different m9thod of timing
the rounds and rest intervals. i would
suggest an electrical timing apparatus
They have been tried before with fail
success. and / understand great I'M
movements have been made in the de
vices which make mistakes practically
impossible. The use of reliable appli
ances Of this sort would be guaran
tee that one important department a.
least was on the square. and Its In
stallment would be in line with the
growing desire to purify the sport.
Kennedy Not Discouraged.
Big Tom Kennedy. by the way. is de-
termined TO make success OF pro-
fessional boxing and try to achieve
the fame that was his in amateur cir
cles. With this end in view he ha:
taken a vacation TO try to get in the
best possible shape. Toms holidays
are being spent in a lumber camp ant
his recreation" consists chiefly OF
hustling large logs and eating plair
grub three times day. Tom Is SIN
cere in his desire TO make a name ant
reputation in professional ranks ant
am glad to note that his recent de
feat has not discouraged him. It's
sure thing that should Kennedy ant
Palxer meet again the same men WHIT
saw Kennedy beaten will install hin
favorite In the betting over his erst
while conqueror.
Despite the stories that credit A,
Wolgast and his manager, Tom Jones
Packey Mcfarland will find some wa.
OF running out of his engagement will
the champion at Milwaukee mex
month. the latter goes cheerfully alonI