Arizona republican., 1912-08-27

TT is perhaps a difficult matter to be-
 lieve that there are any good na-
 tured pugilists because of the strenu
 ous lives they lead, but it is neverthe-
 less a fact that many fighters revel in
 funmaking when they let up in their
 training.
 When Willie Lewis, the sturdy New
 York middleweight, came across the
 Atlantic from England he thoroughly enjoyed himself on the big liner.
 Among the passengers was a big, i'm
 portant looking Englishman, who
 seemed to take extreme delight in de-
 crying everything American. One aft ernoon there was an entertainment in
 the first cabin and the temporary stage was decorated with an English and American flag. Suddenly the stars and
 stripes fell to the floor accidentally. .whereupon the Britisher exclaimed: That's like every blooming thing Americani It's not substantial and is | bound to fall!"
 What in thunder do you mean7" de-
 manded Lewis. with fire in his eyes. "Just exactly what I said!" replied the Briton. Don't you Yankees un- derstand the English language?" "Yes, I understand you!" said the American fighter. quickly. Just step down below and I'll show you how sub stantial you are!"
 Flaw. haw! A mere strfpling like you, eh? Why. I'd thrash you in a jiffyi" laughed the Briton as he accept ed Lewis invitation Boxing gloves were brought out and many passengers went below to see the fun. The Eng l lishman was very aggressive and made a number of wild rushes. which Lewis nimbly sidestepped with broad grin. Every clever. very clever. MT Yan- keel" exclaimed the Briton. "But I'll
 get you finally. See if don't"
 Lewis continued to feint and side
 step and did not attempt to land a
 blow in the first round. Tn the second
 round the young American cleverly
 ducked the terrific punches of his big
 antagonist. but finally. just before time
 was up, he crossed him with a hard right on the point of the jaw and the Englishman fell in a heap. When the latter had been revived.
 "Who Is this young Yankee anyway? Why, he hits like a triphammer!" But Lewis identity was kept secret until the steamship reached her dock. Then the Briton heard the crowd of sports {; cry out. "Oh, you, Willie Lewis!" And he's a real fighter eh?" gasped the Englishman in astonishment l "Well who'd have thought it. Tt was only bit of fun" explained Lewis to his friends later on. T didn't
 want to hurt the big cad. I only gave him a little comic lesson in politeness.' Young Corbett has always been 8 | funmaker, even in the ring. When he l fought Battling Nelson the first time | he 'rkidded" the lightweight champion l to such an extent that the ringside spectators laughed outright. "who told you that you could f1ght?' l Corbett whispered in a clinch. "Why l Bat. you're a joke" Even when Mel. | son got home a solid wallop on the jaw l Corbett continued his joshing. Huh, I thought you were hitter!' l he remarked as he came back from this
 punch and mixed it hotly. "You
 couldn't put dent in charlotte russo | Say. what's the name of the town yol came from?"
 Nelson was furious and was on the
 point of replying when he cooled of | quickly and lodged heavy blow aimed | for the jaw that might have ended tht l fight then and there.
 1 "You've got an awful nerve to bt l fighting, Nelson" Corbett went on l You ought to go back to work as ( | hash slinger" This was only few moments before Nelson landed a ter rife stomach punch that dropped tn, | Denver boy to the floor for the r1na l count.
 "The funniest fights ever had" sait