South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-12
CORBETT HOPES
To MAKE CHAMP
OF AUSTRALIAN
Former Heavyweight King Says
Tom COWIey Will be Able to
Wear Crown ShOrtIy-TWo
Boxers Are Barred.
BY RingSide.

bett. pioneer of the modern code OF
boxing, and former heavyweight
champion, has imposed upon himself
the task OF moulding a fighter capable
OF relieving Jess Willard of his newly
acquired championship. Smiling
Jim's' prospective title-holder has
thus far vindicated Corbett's judg-
ment. inasmuch as he has scored rapid
nre knockoutS over his last three OPP
ponents
Corbett, the cleverest heavyweight
that ever pulled on a pair Of padded
gloves, is so engrossed in his mission
as TO devote all Of his time to devel-
oping his protege. He has spent the
last six months in tutoring the new
conner in every trick and artifice OF
the game that only the crafty Jim
COrbett knows
We will no longer keep the name of
the worlds next heavyweight cham
pion according TO Jim Corbett) en-
shrouded in mystery 1t is Tom
Cowler, name BETTING the gladi-
ators Of old. when bare knuckle fight
ing was in vogue.
Tom Cowler weighs slightly over 200
pounds, but this shortage of weight
should not retard his march TO the
heavyweight throne. insists Mr.. Cor
bett. Jim says heavyweight cham
plon need not necessarily weigh just
under ton; and he points to Bob
Fitzsimmons and himself as ex-
amples.
Are I'm California
Corbett is at present in California
with Tom Cowler in tow. He curtail-
ed his stay in Australia upon learning
of his brothers sudden death. Just
before embarking for the long sail.
Corbett wrote the author of this
screed in the following strain:
Il have the makings of a champion
in this fellow (Tom COwler) and | am
sure he is the fastest big man in the
world today. By the time he lands in
New York I will have him ready to
meet any white man in the world.
'Of course he has a lot to learn, but
is picking up fast. We will be in New
York some time in August ready to
meet Willard or anybody else"
Australia's boxing populace was just
getting warmed up to Cowler when he
was taken away by Corbett He was
rapidly becoming an idol on the
southern continent when Corbett be-
came homesick and resolved to return
to the states.
During the short stay in the Antip-
odes. Cowler engaged in three combats.
and in each he emerged victorious by
the knockout route. 1t took him only
seven rounds TO dispose of the trio
zen
DOyld in two rounds for the heavy
weight championship Of Australia. the
islanders were frank to admit that
there was not a man in Australia that
could cope with the hard hitting and
clever Cowler. Corbett declares the
Australians were clamOring for a
match between COwler and Willard:
and Jim told them he would strive to
attain that end and bring the match
to Australia if possible.
Boxers Barred.
While on the subject Of Australia
we are in receipt of some very inter
esting data from Snowy" Baker, the
chief boxing promoter of the Antipo-
des
Baker is kind enough to inform us
that two American boxers have been
barred from the Australian ring for
life That is, they will never again be
permitted 10 fight at the Stadiums
Ltd. Bakers boxing emporium. jeff
Smith Of BayOnne, y. j.. and Young
Attell. the American lightweight. are
the victims Of this edict.
Smith came into disfavOr for twice
fouling Les Darcy in Sydney on MAY
p, the referee being compelled TO stop
the contest in the second round At
tells offense was his refusal to try in
his bout with Jack Clune. which re-
suited in his disqualification in the
18th round. Baker saw to il that At
tell got his transportation home. and
the Stadium people paid off the liabil-
tiles Attell had incurred during his
stay in Australia.
If such stringent measures prevail
ed in this country American fight
fans might be treated 10 better bouts;
surely there would be more action
than the principals condescend to put
into their work at present
We are still talking about Australia
News comes from that segment of the
globe that they are harborng the
greatest wonder Of the fighting age.
He is Jerry Jerome. the aboriginal
fighter Cblack as your hat, but not
to be classed as a coon all the same'')
who is said TO be self taught, utterly
unorthodoX in style and born fight
er. What more can one ask
Oh, yes. he is 3 years old. but is
still capable Of delivering knockout
punches. Australians who have seen
him I'm action declare that he can hit
with remarkable speed and smashing
force from any position, and that il
Jerry had come into the boxing game
in his youth. the world would have
found him a phenomenon and prob
ably unbeatable in his class.