Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-04
BY l.. G.. JOHNSON.

bf lie u JOHNSONs
AS a climax OF one of the best
boxing entertainments staged in the
tri-cities. Mike Dundee of Rock Is
land won a popular decision over
Johnny tKewpie" Ertle OF St Paul
in 10 snappy rounds at the Empire
rink last night.
The wop showed the best form
of his career and fairly smothered
St,Paul battler under an ava
I#nche OF punches. Outreaching the
rOrtherner he met the "Kewpie's"
rHsh-in-and-hit tactics with clean,
singing blows, landing repeatedly
end fairly for points. Although
carrying less steam, Dundee hit
t.rtle to advantage In almost every
exchange. giving Johnny about
three to one.
Despite the buffeting which he
received the "Kewple" left the ring
unmarked, although while landing
less frequently on Dundee, he open
cd the old cut over the wop's left
eye in the fifth round, and with this
Us a target kept the claret flowing
fl eely until the final gong.
Dundee has improved. There is
little question but what he is vast
" better than he was a year ago
when he met Earl Puryear. Roy
Moore, Pal Moore and Pekfn Kid
Herman. He is one of the classiest
boxers among the little fellows,
Mike Collins, Ertle's manager, af-
firming this opinion after the mill.
As a well known sportsman Collins
is more or less familiar with them,
all. IF Dundee had a punch, you
would have received the beating of
your career" Mike said to the
'Kewpie" after the battle.
And Collins uttered what hap
pens to be the consensus of opinion
among the bugs. Although the wop
has advanced in almost every de-
partment of boxing science. last
nights exhibition proved that he
has not a kayo wallop. But he is a
marvel with his hands, blocking and
hitting. while his footwork. is in
deed. commendable. And he does
not have to possess a kick to gain
national prominence and perhaps
the bantamweight championship
Many other i1lustrious figures in the
history of the squared circle have
proven this.
Pete Herman Next.
At any rate. the exhibition of the
little wop last evening should place
him conspicuously among front
rank contenders for bantam honors
His showing earned for him
chance at Champion Pete Herman
Il nothing else. He can hardly be
ignored by Herman's handlers. for
his record should speak volumes in
favor OF a match.
Ertle was no easy opponent for
Dundee. The ST. Paul sensation
demonstrated that he is in wonder
>ful condition and that he packs a
stiff wallop. He was never in dan
ger and took on the chin the best
the wop had to offer without slow
ing up.
The battle was one of the clean
est ever witnessed here Each
round was full of action, featuring
snappy punching. There was re-
markable lack of cIinching and
stalling. The boxers parted almost
Immediately, after falling in a
clinch, breaking before Referee Ed
Smith would give the command.
Both displayed admirable sports
man1ike tactics, boxing cleanIy at
all times. All in all it was a great /
fight, and not a fan in the house
could be found afterward who said
otherwise.
Semi Windup Great.
In the semi-windup Bum" Sells !
settled old scores by administering |
a terrific lacing and finally a knock !
out to Tommy White, arsenal SOL |
der, in a scheduled six-round bout |
The end came early in the fifth, but |
it was the gruelling he received in
the fourth stanZa Mat caused |
Whites downfall. In the fourth he |
was sent to the canvas for the nine
count after taking an unmerciful
pummeling, and it was only the bell /
that saved him. He had not recov-
cred when the gong sounded for
the nth session, and after an ex-
change of blows, was driven to the
floor by a terrific blow over the left |
ear. He was plainly out and had
TO be assisted from the ring. He
was severely battered while Sells
left the arena without a scratch.
Semi Great Match.
For genuine enjoyment and toe
to-toe action, with no clinching, the
Sells-White fracas was voted as the
best semi-windup ever arranged by
local promoters. Possibly there is
one exception. the battle between
Kid FerIfie and Charley Rogers, ne
eroes, staged rs a semi for one of
the Rock Island Athletic club shows
some time ago. The lighting pos
ture and awkward but effective
atxis OF both Sells and White, to