The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-01-11
PELKEY
| LACKS POWER.
Il BEHIND BLOW
Naughton Reviews New Year
Battle, and Concludes the
Canadian Is Not in
Gunner's Class.
THINKS SMITH MIGHT
BEAT JACK JOHNSON
Gives "Gunboat" Credit for
Strength and Cleverness,
and Names Him Class of
II White Heavies.
By w. W. NAueHroN

N one called the ''Gunboat' Smith
. J Arthur Pelkey fight the battle of
the rigbt-handers, and L guess
that S just what it was. Incidentally,
through the reputation each of the men
had acquired for welding deadly
right. the contest proved a highly in
lercsting study.
But when it was all over Jim Bick
ley's aute-contest remarks were as gold
6n grains of wisdom.
fsPeIkey's punch is only suspicion;
tGun boat IS" is a reality
That is what Jim said, and, as events
proved, be hit the bullseye of truth
sqnarely in the center Of the inner
most ring
. 1t was Tommy Burns who gave us
The idea that Arthur Pclkey was a saw
age smasher with the right. He was
aided and abetted by Pelkey's other
eparring partners, and, for that mat
ter, appearances favored the claims
nlade in that particular respect.
Punch in Practice.
/ lsIn his practice boxing Pelkcy handed
out right body blows that had all the
marks of hurtful punches. He raised
on his toes as he threw them and it
. was quite common for the fellow on
X
pealingly at the muscular Canadian.
Probably the most eloquent testimony
+ TO Arthur s vaunted punching power
was forthcoming when Tommy Burns
spared with him before the Olympic
. elub members. Tommy, after taking
ono Of Arthur s short-rib pokes, just
hellowed in minor key and shook his
bead dcprccatingly, as though saying:
'fFor the love Of Mike, tone 'em
down
. When " Guuboat" and Arthur stood
forth 10 do battle at DAILY City on New
Year s day the thought uppermost in
The minds OF the watchers was that the
First solid right-hander that landed
EeuSd nave signal Influence on the
result of tte bout.
. Maybe "Gunboat' felt that way
about il, too, for after the trifle Of
pecking and flirting which marks the
~ cut loose with right-hand sweep
4at would have lifted Arthur across
the ropes if ii had connected.
PenSey went under it like a flash and
]umped close with brace Of lifting
punches that caught the gunner just
'nbove the waist line.
~ By heck, this is getting interest.
ing said one of the first nighters.
.f1f Pelkey sends in many like those
Two y
Blows Lacked Steam.
The close fighting was of such
character for about five rounds that
Pelkey had no difficulty in getting home
With hs right rip. But it dawued on
tnc spectators presently that the blows
Sere not as damaging as they appeared
io be-
The gunner, an.coupled and all as
BE- is. not only took them without
flinching. but fought back with spirit
7nd acted generally like man who
vas not troubled with thoughts of IN
mpending Knockout.
Then the crowd saw things as they
we're. They recognized that Pelkey
light had been over billed and they
Eondefed how long it would be before
ING gunner got to work with his old
zeIiable''
Just for few seconds along about
!he eleventh round, Pellsey created a
fresh suspicion by 'cutting loose with
oyer-hand rights, which found lodge
ment between ear and chin, but 1T was
Foou seen that these were as harmless
zs his alleged rib benders,
Lhey were what a tennis player might
eail lob hits and while they made quite
noise, they had literally no sting.
Gunner Is Confident.
II was interesting to watch the gun
peri confidence increasing while Pei.
key's oozed. Smith became brisk and
Feikey got loggy. But for quite a
Fhile the gunner could not find the
nv with full sweeping right
DC shortened his right and clipped
md chopped with il both on body and
|eed, and he wore Pelkey down grad
QnIly.
II was not until the fifteenth round
[ad started that '"Gunboat' scored his
Use clean long range right. When he
Iq Pelkey fell under the ropes and an
sner right snap, when he arose, cansed
IN DO take down his championship
There is a "Gunboat" Smiths
Johnson match looming up, sure as
[on re born, and 1t is already limited
[hat Promoter Coffroth will have
'omethiug to do with it.
would not surprise the writer il
<ps event took precedence over all
"nlcnes that johnson may have COM
lifted himself to,
And when 1t takes place / will make
2olq to say that johnson will not be a
HP,neaEy favorite. if indeed, he is
''pde first choice at all.
johnson Goes Back.
As an astnte sport remarked, the
'upson OF the present dav is barely
moving picture of the Johpson that
"9nn from Tommy Burns and Jeffries
rolle the gunner is husky young
CONTINUED on Following Pago.)