Evening star., 1915-02-06
New York MiddIeweight Turns
Tables on Australian.
JEFF CLAIMS WORLD TITLE
Changes Tactics and Reverses Re-
suit of First Encounter
in Antipodes.
BY MANDREWS.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, February s.-Ac-
cording to reports just 1T hand from Aus
tralia- JEFF Smith. the New York middle
weight, won his second battle with Mick =
King. the Australian champion. and there
by claims the title for that part Of the
world and also America but on this side
both Mike Gibbons and Jimmy Clabby
are considered as having better claims.
The following account shows how Smith
beat King:
SYDNEY. =. 5. W. January 2-Jen
Smith regained the middleweight cham
pionship of the world from Mick King at
the Sydney Stadium Saturday night 1t
was fine, skillful battle, watched by an
astonishing crowd-something like 10000
considering the times, even though IL
was Boxing night. By altering his tactics
from those which set all store on winning
by a knockout to using the more scientific
methods. Of which he is past master,
JEFF Smith recovered the world champion
ship honors from the youthful Australian.
Mick King. who but "A few weeks back had
surprised boxing followers by the artistic
manner in which he outpointed him In
twenty fast, scientific and exciting rounds.
overconfident First Time.
On the first occasion Jeff's overconf-
dence and prearranged tactics. from
which he never departed. made him an
easy mark for the lancelike left of
King, whom he endeavored TO knock
out. Throwing science and Judgment
to the winds in his attempt to accom-
plish this task. he then made himself
comparatively easy game for his clever,
opponent. Kings admirable defensive
tactics and accurate left, it will be re-
membered. prevented the comparatively
wild swings of the American from
landing and enabled him, in reply. to
play a merry tattoo on the visitors
face. In the latest battle all this was
changed. Benefiting by the experience
and recognizing that King possessed
ability Of a high order. Smith boxed
him (while never losing sight of the
knockout possibility in order to gain
points decision. D
AS in the first battle. Jeff Smith put
his man down by a powerful left hook
early in the evening. This time it,
landed with greater force and com
PEELED King to take as much of the
count as possible. He rose at eight,
whereas OH the previous drop he re-,
gained his feet almost instantly. Mick's
mitted him to take SO much of the ten
seconds allowed were he not compelled
to remain down. 1t was a sudden and
| powerful hook and thoroughly sur
There is no doubt that this blow af-.
| fected his boxing in subsequent ses-
sions, as although at times he showed
remarkable ability in defense he was
| unable to put the usual sting into his
| blows.
House With Native Son.
1t was King house. and, therefore.
e-sided in the outer benches. To
them it mattered not which man per-,
formed the great things, for the Aus
tralian got all the kudos Good boy.
Kingr was heard on all sides. Tho
manner in which he back-moved or
blocked blows was certainly deserving,
of high praise, but SO also was Smiths
work when perfectly fair and cleverly
executed blows landed on Kings head
or body.
The conditions governing the world
championship were strictly adhered to
such as ringside weighing. etc.-with
a clause in the articles calling for ESQ
forfeit If either man exceeded the mid
dieweight limit of 11.6, in which event.
of course, the battle would have de-.
yeloped into an ordinary catchweights
affair. However, each man being we'll
under weight-Smith 1o91a pounds and
King 1541& pounds-it was legitimate
championship contest And today JEFF,
Smith, the winner, is the world cham.
pion.