The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-09
By James J. Corbett, Former Heavy weight Champion of the World

| weight Champion of the World New York. May 9-The invasion of Europe by our leading white heavies has been postponed for the time be- | ing. Gunboat Smith who, we were told, had signed for bouts with sam Lang ford and George Carpenter is still with us, and probably will be all sum mer. Jim Coffey, another would-be traveller, has also decided to stick around a while longer CoffeyS ac- cording to. the newspapers, was to have boxed Bombardier Wells in Lon don early next month.
 The big boys must have been spool ing about those offers of big purses It is announced that the Langford- Smith match was called off by the promoters because public sentiment in England is against the mixing of the whites ands blacks in the prize ring. What the reason for the cancellation of the WeIls-Coffey bout deponent sayeth not..
 Since the Gunboat is not to go to England after all there is chance that he will box Jess Willard in the near future. Certainly if the match is not made it will not be Wi1lard's fault. The big fellow says he would rather box the Gunner than any other heavy in the country, and I believe him. Willard has improved a great deal since that twenty round go with Smith in San Francisco a year ago, and if there is a man among the white heavies who figures to beat the Gun boat right now big Jess is the one. He has been hop scotching about the country the past few months picking up a purse here and there, but com plains that it is hard to persuade any of the so-caI1ed sthopes', to meet him. No one appreciates more than he that kr 1~1z ing is not of the highest, but Jess says that the fault is not his. He would prefer such men as Smith and Moran if they could be induced to box him.
 Now that the prospects are dubious for the Gunner's foreign trip think it is safe to announce that public announcement Of a Smith Willard match will shortly be forth coming g. Whatever else may be said about the Gunboat no one can question his. cour- age, and confidence in his own prow- ess He has boxed Willard and req nzes that the big fellow is not the easiest game, but when it comes down to eases reckon he will not be round wanting. He will greatly add to his. popularity by agreeing to give Will lard a battle. l
 These two big fellows have passed the joke stage and 3 match between them would settle. to the satisfaction of the American public at least, the question of white heavy y-Weight super iority. Surely if any white heavy is entitled to a try for Johnson's title the winner of such match would be the individuaI If the selection of Johnson's next opponent was left to the fight fans sof this country Frank Moran would certainly not be chosen.
 Billy Gibson says that Al Mccoy will positively box Billy Murray at his new Stadium A. c. on May 21. Billy has set the date for May IA, but both men requested a longer time to prepare for the battle. hence the post ponement. Mccoy, whose name is Rudolph is a German Jew. and they tell me Murray is Spaniard. Gan you beat 1t
 If Mccoy can trim M urray his stock will take a sharp rise. At present there are few who believe he is the goods But if he can put it over on Murray as he did on Chip, or even win; decisive1y on points. he will not lack supporters.
 But before Mccoy can justly lay claim to the championship he will have to prove his right to that title There are several others in the run. ming besides Jack Dougherty's cham. pion." among them such clever birds as Jimmy C1abby, Eddie McGoorty and Mike Gibbons. Clabby and Gib-