New-York tribune., 1913-11-23
GROWING DEMAND
FOR SMITH AND
MORRIS TO MEET
Ring Critics Not Satisfied with
Result of Their Recent Bout
in This City.
CROSS AGAIN AFTER RITCHIE
Stands Good Chance for Another
Meeting with Champion If
He Defeats Rivers.

There is a growing demand on the part
OF the boxing enthusiasts that carr r..
Morris, the Oklahoma heavyweight, and
"Gunboat" Smith, who by his victory
over Sam Langford stepped into the front
rank Of the heavyweights, meet in a re-
turn match. Since the unfortunate end
ing Of their bout in Madison Square Gar
den, some time ago, opinion has varied
greatly as to which is the better man.
and there has been much speculation as
to the probable outcome OF another meet
ing at ten rounds.
Many ring critics proclaim Morris tho
coming champion. They point out that
in his match with Smith he showed won
derful Improvement in boxing skill, ana
coupled with his ability to absorb punish
ment was the knack OF hitting powerful
blows Smiths supporters declare that
he was discouraged at his inability 10
bring the contest to sudden close, de-
spite the fact that he landed with full
force on the tip OF Morris's chin and was
SO tired from the body punishment that
Morris dealt out that the end was bound
to be only matter Of a few rounds.
Whether or not the blow which ended
gent opinions the fact remains that Nor
ris has advanced wonderfully In the last
year In all his recent bouts he has
shown knowledge OF the finer points OF
defensive boxing and hitting. Endowed
by nature with tremendous strength and
with his vitality unsapped, Norris has
learned to combine his recently acquired
skill with his natural strength, and the
result is a most formidable fighter.
At the present time Morris is camping
hot on the trail OF Smith, hurling chal-
lenges and demanding return match.
but as yet his defiance has been uttered
TO no purpose. Smith absolutely declines
the issue. II is Smiths failure to accept
a match, which any club in the country
would promote, that has given strength
to the belief that he fears Morris.
Leach Cross, the East Side lightweight,
is in line for a return match with Willie
Ritchie. At present he is matched to box
Joe Rivers, one OF the best men in the
ranks Of the 1S3-pound men, and match
with Ritchie has been promised to the
winner In the minds of the majority 1t
will be Cross who will face the champion.
He showed in the match with the title
holder In Madison Square Garden that he
Is Cne of the most dangerous men in the
ring. Clever. cunning and game to the
core, his terrific hitting ability makes him
almost an even choice with any man In
the ring.
When he meets Rivers Cross will have
double incentive. First. Of course. is
90 OH nj
shin. and then the desire 10 blot out
In decisive style the two popular decis-
ions which he lost to Rivers in this city
year ago Rivers was heralded as the
coming champion OF the world. Confront
cd by any man but the champion. Rivers
is what they term bear but he has
never been able TO surmount that last
round In the ladder TO fame. OF late he
has shown signs Of slowing up, although
only a boy in years, while Cross, vet
eran OF ten years, Is fighting better to-day
than ever in his career.
There is a possibility, of course, that
neither Cross nor Rivers will have the
chance to meet Ritchie for the title. Early
next month the champion viii engage
Harlem Tommy Murphy in a twenty
round contest on the coast. One lucky
punch will often decide battle, and
Murphy might land II. Barring the un-
foreseen, however, it is difficult TO see
wherein Murphy has more than the pro-
verbal lighting chance" Richie is rot
alone one of the cleverest men in the
ring, but he is a fighter from the ground
up. with the stamina TO take a hard
punch and the ability 10 deliver one.
There is a report that Ed Hagan. Of
Seattle, has decided to return to that dear
Seattle and remain there for some time
to come. He had a painful experience
with Battling Levinsky at the Atlantic
Garden the otneI night, and is not signing
for a repetition OF the dose.