New-York tribune., 1912-01-23
TIMELY BITS OF SPORT
Mike Gibbons a Slight Favorlte
for His Bout with Dennlng.
MUCH INTEREST IN MEETING
George Burns Signs with the
Giants and Hopes to Stick
with Team.

lpttc CLUB, or The Bronx, lo-h'S"'
Mike Gibbons, the st. Paul Welter"eie"''
and Jack Dennlng, the pride OF 'he ioN''
West Side, meet in ten-round Dout' lho
mon will weigh i'm at 8 o'clock this atter"
roon. at IA mounds. One OF the best battles
NJ veIterweights IS bound to follow the tap
OF the gong, and in anticipation ol VIC
the enthusiasts have bought up most VI
the choice seats. While Gibbons ana Dem
ming are rated as two of the greatest men
of their class I'm the world, and some nave
referred TO the meeting as a battle for the
championship. no title is at stake Harry
Lewis. Of Philadelphia, is wclter"eighI
champion of tile world, having knocked out
"Diyie Kid" I'm a fight I'm England last Weeh'
a few months ago Mike GIBBONS ooAins
instructor I'm an athletic club of st. Paul'
was unknown TO New York. unheraiocu
he came. and In his first match Knocked ou'
Billy sherman at the New POLO 'Iup' Iilo
cleverness won him the commentator VI
all who saw that bout, and he was ma'c"eu
with Willie Lewis aud Walter corey III
rapid succession. and outpointed poth'
Denning's rise in the boxing world Is
much similar SIX months ago he was ap-
nearing i'm semi-nnal bouts at the loca'
clubs, and I'm the mean while was actihs as
boxIng instructor at the West Side Young
Mems Christian Association, position
which he still holds Dennlng went along
nicely. meeting and defeating all comers
until he was knocked out by Walter Corey
nj tho Fordon club That was the tlrst
time that he ever was declsvely defeated
Laughing Jack" as he is known on the
West Side, showed I'm no uncertain manner
that he suffered no setback by defeating
Marcel Moreau, who came here from
France. and Terry Mitchell In decisive
style.
Both DonnIng and Gibbons are cool, clever
boxers. also fast and hard hitting. They
are students Of the old school Of Fitzsim-
mons and Jackson, with lightning lefl
hand that they land from any and every
angle. backed by heavy right hand coun-
tor Fast footwork plays prominent part
I'm the defence Of both, and they nave
gained the last word I'm the art Of swaying
with, or Slipping leads and countering with
either hand. Gibbons Is slight favorite
Gnorge Y. Burns, an outhelder from the
Utica team, Of the New York state League
sent in his signed contract to the Giants
Yesterday Burns was with McGraws men
during the latter part Of last season. Ills
batting average I'm the state League was
80 lie stole forty bases, being tho third
fastest runner in the organization. his
fielding average was .aeo.
Danny Murphy, the new captain Of the
Philadelphia Athletics and "Rube' Oldrins
have signed contracts for the ensuing sea-
son. which reached the office OF the club
Yesterday. According to Connie Mack. there
arc no "holdouts."
The Philics have sold Lehr. a utility in
Fielder, 10 the Buffalo club OF the lnterna-
tlonal League. now MANAGED by George
stallings, once OF the Yankees
Harry Pollock. who has been working
hard to get Frank Gotch or Zbyszko on
the mat with his Italian champion, can
now have his wish II he Will accept the
division Of the purse as suggested. In re-
ply to n challenge issued Sunday evening
Jack Hermann sends the following an
swcr from Boston TO the sporting editor
Of The Tribune:
Replying to Harry pollocks challenge
ON behalf OF Raiceyich to Gotch and
Xbyszko. / wish TO state that accept on
behalf OF the Pole, the match to be to a
finish. Zbyszko must receive $1,000 upon
signing articles while Pollock Is TO give
a purse OF $1,000 for the match. as sug-
gestcd OF which the winner is to receive
IS 600 and the loser 5000 | will be in New
York on THURSDAY and II Pollock really
means business | will sign articles and
- On
Zbyszko."
This was in reply 10 the following propo-
sltion made by Pollock
II Zbyszko or his manager, Jack Herr
mann. Will come 10 New York ana Slsh
articles Immediately for finish contest, or
will telegraph their acceptance TO wire
which I am sending ! VIII Put up a SloWO
purse for tho match and viii give EbySEko
81 OOD as soon as he signs tho articles. II
Frank Gotch will take on the Italian To
n finish | viii give him G0O FOR signing
articles and hang mp a Sl5,w purse. Inc
division OF the purse money can be de-
CIdcd absolutely by HbNsZko or Gotch.
Indoor lacrosse will be introduced as a
novel feature Of the Pastime \. c. games
I'm the ed Regiment Armory on February
~ Teams representing the New York
Lacrosse club and the Bronx Lacrosse
club will cross sticks.
The Horscman and Spirit of The Times
will announce In It's issue to-day that it,
stakes this year will be raced at tho Grand
Circuit meeting In connection with the
Michigan state Fair. during the week OF
September ~.
This is the richest meet Of the year on
the light harness turf, excepting the Ken
tuckv Futurty, having a guaranteed value
Of Sl5UO0. To which is added all excess
money. II consists Of the thrcc-ycar-old
trot for $4,000 and cup. the three-ycar-
old pace for s2.WO. and the two-year-old
trot for S3o00.
All of the leading breeding establishments
have made nominations. and It is expected
the fields this year will he the largest I'm
the history of the stakes Pittsburgh, Co
umbus and other cities were after the meet,
but were outbid by the Michigan State Fair
Association.
In addition to the Gibbons-Denning match
tonight. three other bouts will be con-
tested. frankie White the Western festh-
crwnight. will meet Young Brown at
Browns Gymnasium: Young Herman
and Freddie Hicks will circle the ring at
the Gowanus Athletic club, while Jumbo
Wells, of Australia. will face Bill Brown
NJ the Mount Vernon Sporting club.
EXONERATE GEORGE HARMON
Hockey Player Not a Profes-
sional, Says Committee.
George Harmon, the clever centre on the
Wanderers seven, got "clean bill of