Evening star., 1912-01-21

aasn@a VI e = v is sffil
classed among the "eligibles'' in heavy
weight pugdom on the other side is a sad
commentary on the class and quality Of
present-day opponents Of the manly art.
Should Wells experience difficulty In dis
posing OF the Kid he can call the Amer
lean trip off for good and all. But !
give him credit for being a better man
than that
On top of the news of the coming Eng
lish invasion | learn that a number OF
American scrappers will shortly embark.
with England and France as objective
points. Dan Mckettrick's stable. ! am
told, will be the first installment to take
ship.
The leading members of McKettrick's
outfit include Tom Kennedy, Joe Jean
nette and Willie Lewis. Jeannette IS
finding 1t pretty hard to get work on this
side. From Johnson down the heavies
who knocked out Sam McVey in forty
six roun, s. and has gone through seven
contests with the terrible Jack John
son, and still lives. In fact, he has one
decision over the champion.
Jeanette and Lewis are very popular
in France and England. Paris Was the
scene Of Jeannettes Knockout Of Sam
McVey. Kennedy's trip hangs, am told.
on Bombardier Wells plans. Should the
latter elect to remain in England. Tom
will journey across the water. Wells is
the man he's after. Kennedy may first
tackle one of Britain's lesser lights, TO
see how he "siZes up" on foreign soil
One such battle. he figures. should prep
him for the struggle with the ''galus
champion of the British Isles.
Nothing could help Kennedy more in
my opinion than trip or this sort. be-
sides lacking in experience the New YORK
hope needs plenty OF hard work both Of
the training and fighting varieties. An
unusually clever youngster. as heavies 90
nowadays, he is not rugged enough TO
mix ii successfully with the eiephantine
Carl Morris or the burly Al Paizer. And.
needless to say, he would show even less
fayorably opposed to any one Of the col
ored topnotchers.
Tom acts like a champion in the gym
nasiun. Boxing skill, footwork. general
ship all are in evidence In the practice
hearsals, but in the ring 1t is another
story. In the recent engagement with
Carl Morris. Kennedy forgot he had a
pair of legs and tried to mix II with the
method of no avail one would think he
would have brought his speed and skill
into play. But no. he stood his ground
and tried to match strength against
strength, and in such trials he cannot
compete with the powerful Morris.
His greatest fault is poor ring Judg-
ment. IL he knew how to conserve his
strength by relying upon boxing skill
and footwork he could in my opinion
easily outpoint the ma ajority OF heavy
weights in limited bouts Toms last
public appearance an exhibition
hardly worthy Of his known ability.
The two chocolate Sans. Laneford ami
McNey are to have another whirl at IL.
so the cable tells January ~ Is the
date. Referee Bakers verdict at the
wind-up of their recent bout was Sc
vereiy criticised by Australian sports.
many opining that the tar baby waS
entitled TO a draw. Tommy Burns, who
was a spectator, says Langford WAS
most unfairly treated. The protests re-
suited in return match.
The victor will challenge Johnson. but
in view of the stand taken by the pres
ent champion 1t will be no easy task TO
corral the big smoke johnson Is nor
showing anxiety TO tight ANYBODY VINO
figures to have a remote chance to beat
him Not so YOU can notice IL. He shows
eagerness however, to grab man fftS
pounds lighter than himself, and one over
whom he has already demonstrated su-
periority.
The winner of the McVey-Langford
match should take on Joe Jeannete anu
settle the question Of superiority among
the black challengers. Popular demand
would force Johnson 10 meet the victor
If Johnson tried to stall public indig-
nation would compel him to fight or quit
the business. Many contend that john
son nerve WOu1u lili liiIu winch IL Ndiiit
to signing articles and that he would re-
tire rather than run the risk of de-
feat.
Tom O'Rourke assures me that the
Pazer-Flynn bout will positively take
place mt the National Sporting Club Feb
ruary Is Tom is the young Iowa farmer
boys manager, and says the impression
prevailing that Flynn would run out on
the engagement Is erroneous.
| do not feel so confident about il aS
O'Rourkc. Surely a defeat By PatZer
would put the Johnson-Flynn arrange
ment in the discard, and the promoters
of that scheme viii no doubt object
strenuously to Feynn's taking unneces-
sary chances. Something tells me the
bout will not come Off on schedule time
next month.
Johnson is quoted as saying that he
would like first crack at Palzer. Very
likely he would. But there isn't a. chance
right now. Maybe in a year from now
O'Rourke AID his husky hope" nigh,
be willing TO accommodate the negro.
but not just at present. thank you. And
Il is diamonds to snowballs johnson VIII
not want any part of the game should
the time ever arrive that big Al is the
public's choice to fight for the title.
After Flynn will come Carl Morris
turn This is the program, / understand,
whether Palzer wins or loses. Overtures
are being made to Bombsrdier Wells to
come here and box Morris before the lat
ter is sent against Palzer. Wells threat
ems to remain at home. according TO the
latest reports.
Should Tom Kennedy decide to hike to