The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-06
PUGILISTIC GOSSIP
Nv IEFE THOMPSON

New York, April 5.-(Special) Interest
among fight fans still centers in the
heavyweight division.
The situation seems to be rapidly ap-
preaching climax despite the difference
of the three leading contenders 10 arrange
the final matches. Now that the theatri-
cal season is practically over McCarty and
Willard are deprived of their last excuse
Tor avoiding their nearest rival, Gunboat
Smith. Promoters here i'll the east and
in California are lending every effort to
match the three leaders and some lmpor-
tant developments are sure to result in
the near future.
Jess Willard has at last broken his long
silence by requesting Promoter Coffroth
of San Francisco to match him with
Gunboat Smith, and this affair may be
the first big match made. Coffroth plans
to have McCarty meet the winner some
time in May. Smith, however, is holding
out for a McCarty match, apparently not
being as anxious as he pretends to race
the gigantic Willard.
At present Smith seems to be the only
one of the trio who is anxious to pox a,
local clubs McCartys demands are SO
exorbitant that he is not likely to be seen
81 action here unless he lowers them con-
siderably The fact that he lost ground
in his two local appearances propaoE
has something to do with his unWiihhs-
ness to repeat the experiment. HIS styis
is more suited to the long distance ahaiis
where his endurance and stamina give
him a better chance to snow TO soou au-
vantage.
Judging from Wilards present atttuoe
he also favors long engagements. All
along he has turned deaf ear to local
Iprcmoters, although he now says ne Is
willing and anxious to fight in CALIFORNIA
willard has yet to try himself out IN
long distance affair and it Will be inter
esting to note whether he has the rlgnt
idea. In all hfs bouts he has hung back
and taken his time, which seems 10 u
dicate that 90 rounds would SUIT MIN pet-
ter than 10 round sprints.
Tommy Murphy, who is again on ms
wav TO the coast to have another try at
Woleast. has a high opinion OF the nght-
ing ability of AL. THAT fellow Wolgast
lust tears in like bull The minute tne
bell rings" says Tommy. suaiiy TEL
1ou,s who tear in like that are marks,
but not this Wolgast- In ms s'anipeue ne
can do as much damage as cyclone.
And how he can hit with either hand.
That left, when it lands, feels IKE having
q sandbag leaned against your beam ana
the right carries with 1t the SENSATION one
xvould find in having pile driver drop
on his conk. If that Wolgast is mas
been, then count me out oil the ooNihs
game"
Leach Cross is another boxer who has
a good word to say for an opponent.
cross saws frankly that luck mad no small
share in his win over Joe Mandet IN New
Orleans 1t may be that Leaci mas an
owe TO business and wants big hand
when he again meets the New orleans
lad. hut it is somewhat unusual neverthe-
less. for a fighter to give luck any
part in his victories.
When Jonny Conlon and KID Williams
Of baltimore meet, it's going to be some
lob to pick the winner until the ngnt is
over. Conlon has been at the head of the
class a long time and they all have to
,,,ea+ a better man some time. Williams
NAV not be the conqueror of conlon, but
I'd hate to stake my head that ne Is not.