Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-02-01
jim Thinks Nike Is Best Mid
dleweight Since Days of
Tommy Ryan.
COWLER IS AN ENGLISHMAN
Corbett Confident New White
Hope Will Develop Into
Real Fighter.
BY JAMES J. CORBETT
FORMER Heavy weight Champion OF ths
World.

If it were put to a jury of boxing
experts, l believe there would be lew
who would vote against awarding
Nike GIBBONS the Utie Of middle
weight champion. Of course, some
would dissent, but a very small
minority, and even they would nave
10 admit that the st. Paul man ap-
pears to better equipped 70 lake
IN the middleweight running where
poor Stanley Ketehel left OF by his
untimely death. In the bout with
Jimmy ClaDby, previously regarded
by many good judges as the best man
in the division, Gibbons proved that
he is in a class by himself While
one or two remain who Will nave 10
take their medicine before Mike can
be proclaimed champion, the ST. Paul
man would enter the ring tomorrow a
pronounced faVorite over any man in
the middleweight division. Some tans
maintain that Al Mccoy Is the right
fuI champion; that he won the title
by stopping George Chip, but those
who do so would have hard time
proving Just how Chip ever came INTO
possession of the honors. He beat
Frank Klaus and the latter beat Billy
Papke. in Paris. I think On that
battle Klaus's claim was based, but
as a matter of fact Billy Papke did
not hold the title at that time. Only
once during his career Papke was
recognized as champion-when he
stopped Ketchei In twelve rounds az
Los Angeles, but Stanley, like the
great fighter he was, had won 1t back
in decisive style.
Gibbons Real Champion.
To my mind Gibbons comes closer
to the ideal champion than any OF his
rivals 1 do not think there is
man anywhere near his weight who
can beat him over any distance from
six rounds up. II he meets Nc
foorty next month, as has been an
nounced l look for him to score even
an easier victory than that over
Clabby. Gibbons fmpresses me as
The best middleweight since the days
of Tommy Ryan and Ryan 1 always
regarded as one of the greatest men
of his weight in the history of the
ring.
Anent Tom CoWler.
Well, here is the story OF my white
hope''-as much as l know about him.
His name Is Tom Cowler and he is an
Englishman by birth, stands six feet
TWO and one-half inches and weighs
IN the neighborhood of 22O pounds.
i
ago when he called on me at the stage
door of Pantages Theatre in Port
land, Ore. He asked me If l would
look him over as he wanted to learn
more about boxing and believed l
could teach him. His manner of
talking and his action impressed me
favorably and 1t is no new matter
for me to talk with aspiring heavies
believe me. l have met them by the
score since Jim Jeffriess defeat by
Jack Johnson, of all shapes and sizes,
weights and peculiarities. took
Cowler to a gymnasium in Portland
and gave him a try-out. And in spite
Of what those who may imagine | am
passe as a boxer may say or think.
It was a good workout. And this
youngster although very crude in the
matter of boxing, made hit with all
those present by his actions and style
and willingness and quickness to
earn. I lost no time signing con-
tract to take him with me on my
Australian trip next month.
Dim win Take Cowler TO Australia.
/ leave for Australia on a Naude-
vile trip next month l am taking
Cowler with me, as 1t viii give me
a great opportunity to work with him
also give me the chance to try him
out thoroughly in regular matches
before bringing him back home to pit
his skill against the best in this coun-
try "Snowey' Baker, the Australian
promoter has already communicated
with me, asking me to sign for
match or two between Cowler and
the best of the big men over there,
and just as soon as / have given Tom
4 thorough coaching and have him
put through q systematic training
course. ! will see that he gets all the
ring work he needs.
Cowlcr Not a Novice.
Cowler is no raw novice, as he has
been fighting about two years in Eng
land and Canada In fact, he has
boxed with such men as Bombardier
Wells, Frank Moran, Ian Hague,
George Rodel, Denver Ed Martin and
others Of more or less nOtoriety.
Gowler boxed the Bombardier. when
a raw beginner, an eight-round no.
decision exhibition. He lost to Frank
Moran in seven rounds en- q foul He
knocked out Rodel in six, Ian Hague
IN eight, and Denver Ed Martin In
TWO rounds. So my readers will ap-
preciate that IL Is not exactly a raw
recruit that I have taken hold of.
His record has been sent to me by
friend, but I refer 10 It here only to
acquaint my friends with the fact
that Cowler has been boxing with
fairly good men. However, his pre-
vfous efforts have cut no figure with
me in sizing him Up. It is what he
will do in the future that will interest
me from now on. But the fact that
he has held mis- own since entering the
field and with comparatively no train
ing is proof that he is made of pretty
good stuff,
Hard Natural Hitter.
believe that he is one of the hard.
est natural hitters I have even met
His blows apparently carry the
weight of a pile driver. But at pres
ent he is too aggressive. He has been
told in what little instruction he has
picked up here and there to keep on
top of his man all the time Which
is good advice at times, but not all 'he
time. / will devote my time to
teaching him how to manage himself
in the ring, when to cut loose and
when to stand off.
-zszx-------------- ----------------------------