The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-16

but less thdn q year has passed since then-and already there are a half dozen youngsters who have risen to certain commanding heights in the fighting game. None so far has shown anything that would permit even his most enthusi- astlc admirers to regard him as a for midahe opponent of Dempsey. But the boys have come along in spectacular fashion and with six months a year more of training and experience several of them may establish themselves on an ethereal pinnacle in the battling world
 GENE TUNNEY
 Gene Tunney just now is one of the shining lights among the newcomers. Tunney, who won the heavyweight championship of the U. s. marines during the war, broke into the professional end of the fight game upon his return to this country. He has since performed in splen did fashion and has toppled over many really clever and experienced ringmen. Tunney has shown the best of all the newcomers and with a few months more of experience and an added fifteen or twenty pounds may loom up as real rival of the wonderful Dempsey. Bob Martin started a professional career upon his return to this country. He has secured knockout victories over a fair group of fighters In some quarters the charges have been made that these men were Sel-upS LOT MdItli III oi effort to make it appear that he is a really wonderful fighter. Whether or not the men were set-ups doesn't alter the fact that Martin won from them and deserves credit for such victories. MARTINS SETBACK Martin, however, suffered a rather se- rious, setback when he was badly beaten not so long ago by Sergeant Ray Smith, who up to that time, had not been reck- oned in any way among the newcomer 1 top notchers. That fight uncovered the 1 fact that Martin apparently lacked sav- ages-a vital fault-and that his right hand is very brittle. If it is true that l Martins right hand is prone to hurts | whenever he hits hard his name can almost be eliminated from championship ] possibility simply because no man ever rose to the topmost heights with fragile | hand
 1 Smith attracted considerable attention 1 by reason of his victory over Martin. ;, But Smith has an awful lot to learn i'll the fight game from all reports. Just the same he showed plenty of aggressive ness and wonderful stamina, which are two assets that will be mighty helpful to him in pursuing a prize ring career
 Bob Fitzsimmons, son of the famous champion is another who has been at itracting considerable attention. The youngster so far has not demonstrated 1 punching power that made his dac world ia mous But he has shown consid- erable cleyerness and natural ability ar.d may develop the knack of hitting within a short time.
 Down in New Orleans is youngstel named Marty Burke. (No relation to Jake Burke of Chicago). He is six feet three l BURKE'S RECORD
 In the last two months he has put oi twenty pounds. and is still growing. He beams about 19o at the present time ana 1 should. when he reaches complete ce Ivelopment be in the neighhorhood Of 2o Burke is a protege of Jack Dempsey ana went into the ring upon advice from the champion Since then he has exhibited 1T splendid fashion. Burke, the true type o the fighting Irishman, won all of the
 amateur championships in his dlstrc from paperweight up to heavyweight
 Last winter, when Dempsey wanted 2 sparring partner for his fight with Mor-
 ris, Burke volunteered his services. He
 proved to be the only man who could
 swap punches with the champion and
 stay on his feet Dempsey was so in-
 pressed with the youngster that he urged
 him to adopt a professional ring career
 And in April of 1919 Burke made his
 debut
 In a period of six months Burke scored
 something like ten victories-anr lie ad
 some formidable fighters among his vic-