El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-01-16

-illlNaukte.
While New York promoters pulled an
awful bone in letting this affair get
away from them, it mas not lessened
the local interest in the bout to any
extent. In fact. to listen to the sports
talk about il one would imagine that
Mike Gibbons and Jimmy Clabby were
To hook up right here in little O.
Gotham.
Gibbons and Clabby look the class
of the middleweight division al this
writing. With the exception Of Eddie
AlcGoorty-if he can make the weight
there is no one left 20 challenge
their right TO battle for the champion
ship. Oh yes, 1 forgot one Al Mccoy,
who climbed to fame via the short
route when he COPIED George Chip on
the jaw one night last spring. How
ever. judging by McCOY's late perform
ances with second and third raters he
could not expect to make much OF
showing against either Of these clever
birds. i believe Gibbons could dispose
Of McCoy's aspirations in less than ten
rounds. And very likely Clabby could
do the same. but as my acquaintance
with his ring style is limited 1 do not
care to venture prediction.
McGOOrty Is Different.
with McGoOrty, however, it is
horse Of another color. II, as he
claims he can make the middleWeight
limit as of yOre, McGOOrty will have
TO be reckOned with in the middle
weight not pie His recent defeat Of
Billy Murray at a weight near the lin
il proves conclusively that Oshkosh IS
still on the map. While Macs win
over Murray was of the popular decl-
sion variety and not nearly so impress
slve as George Chips two knockout
victories over the Californian, he DEM
onstrated that he is still there with
sleverness and punch. 1t is matter
Of poundage with McGoorty.
Gibbons showed Fine Work.
II Gibbons and Clabby were meeting
I'm New York the st. Paul lad would
be a hot favorite with the talent Al
though Clabbys record in the DOCKS
is FAR more impressive than Gibbons
his sole appearance In this CITY was
anything but startling and failed 10
enhance his reputation with local dew
otees Of the sport. On the other hand
Gibbons has shown some brilliant ring
work hereabouts and, barring that ter
rible affair with McGOOrty a couple Of
years ago. his work has been OF chaln-
pionship order Both Mike and Lddle
had sick ahbis" for their poor per-
Torrance on that occasion, and to tell
the truth they certainly did fight ike
a couple of invalids.
Gibbons Is Very Aggressive.
Gibbons is one of the few men above
the lightweight class I have seen IN
recent years who appears to know
what he is about while in the ring. Al
feintinp an opponent into a state of
decided uncertainty Mike is IN a class
by himself. He does not bluff with ms
left or right Just for the sake Of show
ing that he has two hands, but win
an object in view all the time. He IS
always working his man for an op
eping and is one Of the quickest think
crs in the ring today GIBBONS Is not
alone a defensive fighter In fact, ne
is one Of the most aggressive men IN
the ring at times.
But Mike doesn't fight every man
along the same general line lie mas
his particular style for every man ne
faces. In feinting Mike does not
waste an ounce of strength. He is not
skipping or jumping about the ring
like many Of our modern youngsters
but uses his head, his feet and hands
intelligently. And, when he gets the
opening ne is after, no man can take
advantage Of it quicker or with greater
While Mike is not credited with be
ing an unusually hard hitter, 1t has
been observed that he is one OF the
most effective punchers IN the Dust
ness. His blows are not Of the Wllu
swinging. crushing type, but clean, cal
culated efforts that are vastly more
effective He has that wonderful as
set Of the successful bOXeT, a tlne leLI
lab. only in his case it lands with much
more force than the usual left lead
his opponent If il lands and when
Nike lets go it generally connects.
Const Raves About CIabby.
OF course Jimmy Clabby may prove
the one exception to the rule IN 'Ilo-
hons case Jimmy is a very clever
boxer: everybody says who has seen
him in recent exhibitions. So far,
Gibbons has never met a man he
couldn't hit. I mean, since he devel-
oped into q first class man. Mike him
self tells a story of boxing ClaDDE
when the latter made a sucker out OF
him. But at that time Gibbons was
only beginning his career, while Jimmy
was a veteran in comparison.
The Pacific coast critics rave about
Clabby Jimmy has had several pat
ties in San Francisco and maze gooQ
with a vengeance. The decisive delea !
Of George Chip set the coast fans Wlld
about him, for had not Chip toyeo
with their pride, Billy Murray JUST
as in the east Gibbons is the cholce
with the betting element, naturally
CIabby is the favorite in the far west
Thinks Gibbons is COming Champion
There is no doubling Clabby's ability
as a boxer and fighter. But II is my
opinion that he will have to be every
bit as good as his friends say, and q
little bit better to beat the st. Paul
man. This is only one mans OPINION
and Won can take it for what II Is
worth I know practically nothing
about Jimmy as a fighter, While do
know considerable about Gibbons. ana
Mike looks awful good to me. GOOD
enough. i'm fact, for me to take a uck-
ct on him against anyone in the ma
dlcweight division, no matter now
brilliant his opponents record Iha'
IS NV opinion Of Gibbons as fighter
I think him the coming champion. II
[ am wrong and Clabby proves the
better man. I will be among the lirsl
TO congratulate him and admit my
error OF Judgment
The contest means much to the men,
Il they both fight as they can 1t VIII
mean a great battle. But at times We
get the least where we expect the
most Let us hope that TINS VIII no,
be one Of those affairs when WI
leave a bad taste in our mouths wnen
talking about it.
The JohnsOn-WilInrd Fight.
Now that it is an assured thing
thar Jess Willard will not engage ln
n contest with any of his white rlFala
before taking on Jack Johnson lor ms
championship OF the world, we VIII
have TO be satisfied with the state
uents made by his managers that IN,
bic fellow is anxious to put hlln5ell
right with the public. and that lhe1
1tbe managers) are responsible tor NJ
apparent luck Of fighting spirit BolL
Tom Jones and Jack Curley say INA
less entertains no fear Of the OUTCOME
r1T4 that might be made lQl