Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-03-29
GOTCH WAS NEAR
PRIZE FIGHTER
Youthful Ambition of Cham
pion Wrestler Was to Be
Bruiser; He Got Over It
Safely.


my ambition was to be prize
fighter, along with other boys who
have read. the lives Of champion box
ers," says Frank Gotch, the wrestler.
"While / was working hard on a farm
IN Iowa I was dreaming Of the time
when might be a renowned fighter
but didn't entertain that desire
after certain happening up In
Alaska
"An during my youth / labOred at
tasks that made my muscles strong
and my health good. From morning
TO night out In the open air gave me
the constitution that has served me
IN good stead ever since. AlOnS with
other lads of my age we used TO
box and take part IN athletic contests
OF one sort or another. And the older
! grew the more ! had that longing TO
be a fighter.
During the gold fever up In Alas
ka the craze caught me too. and way
back In 1899 / was up In Dawson
City Yet even them; although the
Thirst for gold seemed 70 have me the
same as K had thousands OF others,
/ still hankered for the roped ring
and the padded gloves Finally my
chance came. There was boxer OF
some note up there named Frank
Slavin. lie was really good tighter,
net a champion, by any means, but
one who had considerable experience
and a punch that would have done
credit 20 the best Of them.
"One fine day-h0w well ! remem'
her it--they were looking for an OPP
pOnent to face Slavin. The news
reached me and I jumped az the
chance Al last ! had an opportunity
of engaging In a real bout. My dreams
of a brilliant pugilistic career crys
talized into concrete form. Already
saw myself known to fame as a
rising young belt wearer 1 landed
the battle all right and we met.
Although I'm pretty big fellow
myself ! really believe never saw
a man who looked so husky as Slayif
did that night I've heard the sfurs
. OF the second time Jim JeHriei
, fought Monroe out on the coast Mon.
roe had held Jch 10 a standstll In /
! f0uf-round exhibition some Time be
fore up IN a Montana town and th'
miner really thought he had a chance
to beat Jeiirios Especially after JET
had held of fighting him The uruti
was that Jenrfes wife objected Z,
his boxing any more. but the repOr
was spread around that Jeffries wal
afraid OF Monroe Well, when thel
finally met hey had TO hold a towe
In front Of MOnroe's face when JET
climbed into the ring. he looked 81
big and powerful Jeh, you know
stalkod over ierkod the towel ava.
and yanked Monroe 70 his feet Z,
shake his hand. I've been told tina
Monroe was beaten before the scral
really started.
"lt wasn't that bad with me whel
HI fOught~if ] car use that word
! with Slavin For ! really thought
could beat him, and was In I'm
training. ! aad another guess com
ing
Two blows were struck during tba
memorable hRht-onco when he hi
me- and once when / hii the floor
Never afterward did ! have any ovel
I wholming desire 10 be a fighter. al
1 ! remember Ia that / got rp when III
bell rang. and, believe, square
ON at him. liz sort OF smiled an
then cut loose a ripping Jolt tina
4 caught nae flush. think ! hit IN
mat almost as hard a. be he m'
4 Well, anyway, took 60 the wrostlin
\ game after that
"As far as wrestling goes. ! had IN
z good fortune % have Farmer Burn
as a teacher. II there ever has bee