The Washington times., 1920-04-04

From his frst tournament carpen-
tier went back to Lens with Des-
camps. and a year later entered pro-
fessionai ranks. In the meantime
Descamps did everything possible to
bring out and develop every ounce
OF boxing talent possessed by his
protect and on several occasions
Georges took part In impromptu
scraps. One of these occurred when.
a travelling circus. boasting a troupe
OF "man eating professional boxers.
came 10 Lens. In this troupe was
rough-and-ready American" scrapper.
The official bailyhoo orator OF the
circus loudly proclaimed the merits
of this boxer. In the crowd were
Descamps and Carpenter. The
american" boxer, II was explained.
challenged any man to stand before
him. Carpenter clenched his young
fists and nudged Descamps. The pro-
fessor nodded assent.
Thought II was . Joke.
When Carpenter. slim and pale.
stood up to announce that he would
meet the terrible slugger the bally-
hoo man protested that II would be
unthinkable. Surely Carpenter must
be joking. But the crowd howled
pentier into the tent to witness the
contest, uneven though II appeared.
II was there that Carpenter scored
his first knockout.
In the second round the burly
american" went down, oblivious to
what was going on around him. When
he came to his senses he refused to
believe that Carpenter had knocked
him out. He was sure some one must
have dropped a brick house on him.
This victory determined Carpenter
to start out professionally. 1t created
a real sensation in Lens and before
80 very long Carpenters reputation
as a fighter began to spread. In COM
pany with Descamps he often visited
adjacent towns, where travelling cir
cuscs were holding forth for the pur-
pose OF showing UP the mediocre
bruisers who were posing as cham
pion boxers. Even in this Carpenter
picked up points of the game that
were unknown to him-unknown also
to Descamps, who at that time knew
but little of the real English and
American styles of boxing.
Carpenters real debut as pro-
fessional was made against a boxer
named Moinereau, whom he knocked
out in three rounds. His first, long
ever. was his battle with sths sturdy
Kid Salmon.
Had Been . Coed Oae.
Salmon, In his day was one OF the
best French fighters Of his weight
who had ever drawn on a glove. He
had been discovered by the Maisons-
Lafitte trainer. Snowy" Lawrence.
as he came into prominence In Sc
ries of bouts with another boxer
named Pepper. The two were deadly
rivals for the affections OF a ballet
girl at the Folies Bergere. where they
were engaged to spar. Both had been
taught some Of the finer points OF the
English mehod of boxing. and Law
renee that they were the real pioneers
in opening the eyes OF Paris to the
fact that scientific boxing is a worthy
sport.
Under the tutelage OF Lawrence
Salmon became a fistic idol. He re-
peatedly challenged any one OF his
weight in France to meet him. He
time opponents for Salmon could not
be found. None could stand against
him.
And then at a time when Salmon
was mourning the fact that the
French nation had failed to produce
more good boxers he received a chal-
lenge from Carpenter, then four
teen-year-old unknown. for twenty
round bout with four-ounce gloves.
The challenge was backed by an Of
fer of a side bet. all of which created
considerable merriment in Maison-
LATTE, Salmon's home town. But
articles were duly signed, forfeits
posted and Maisons-Lafitte awaited
the coming of this presuming young
ster from the North Of France who
dared to face the invincible Salmon.
To He Continued.