The New York herald., 1921-02-28
Sullivan and Jeffries Cited as
Having Been Foretold of
Disaster.
by CHARLES f. MArHIsoN.

Champions sometimes have premoni-
ton of coming defeat" says a student OF
boxing, and he specifies Sullivan and
Jeffries as examples of pugilistic kings
who felt their thrones tottering. 1t is set
forth that Sullivan was moody just be-
fore the battle with Corbett. and this
was taken TO mean that the Strong Boy
feared the result OF the meeting.
Possibly Sullivan did have a premoni-
tion OF defeat but bis hackers did not.
for they wagered s to ! on the chances
of the champion at ringtime. They
never stopped betting till 1t was evident
Corbett had the fight practically won.
The attitude of Sulivan's hackers in
reference to the Sullivan-Corbett affair
was in sharp contrast to their demeanor
regarding a match with Jackson 1t was
quite apparent that Wakely and Johns
ton. Sullivan's managers. had strong
premonition OF impending defeat for the
champion. and they utterly declined to
sign articles for a meeting between the
men.
Jeffries Is pictured as being close to
collapse when he entered the ring at
Reno. and the suggestion is made that
some unknown force was sending the
message of defeat to him." 1t Is true
that Jeffries had difficulty In keeping
erect previous to his bout with Johnson,
but II was not an unknown force" that
sent a message of defeat. 1t was Jack
Johnson who sent the message. and 1t
caused Jeffries to have premonitions and
chills. Johnson had tricked the former
champion with proposal to flop in
The twelfth round, and few hours be-
fore entering the ring the negro served
notice on Jeffries that he "wculd have
tn fight" That is what caused JEFF to
spread his feet in order to hold himself
UP as he was getting the referees final
Instructions jeff had been out of the
ring for five years, while Johnson was
then In his prime, and the Boilermaker
knew he had not the ghost of chance
against the burly negro He made the
match only after an understanding that
Johnson did not intend to try. jeff
was double crossed.
Hardy athletes, especially those who
box as business. are not given to pre-
monitlops. There Is hardly a lightweight
In the country who does not think he
would have a fine chance to defeat
Benny Leonard.
John Pesek. who wrestles at the Sew
enty-first Regiment Armory tonight.
was recently subdued by Lewiss head
lock. In describing the effects of the
lock Pesek said that when Lewis leaped
in the air to take flying head lock the
Strangers forearm struck with such
force on the back of the neck as to
practically knock him out. Pesek says
the blow on the occipital bone was stag
gering and brought about his defeat.
1t would seem, therefore that Lewis
is guilty Of plagiarizing from Gunboat
Smith. who was the originator of the
"occipital punch" Some Of the Gun
ner's victims referred to the blow as the
Hospital punch" In delivering the blow
the Gunner usually started his right
glove from the floor. swinging in an arc
that would knock down q chandelier and
ending by curling II about his opponents
neck. the force being exerted on the
occipital bone. II is high time that
Lewis gave the "Gooner." as Jim Buck
ley referred TO him. full credit for the
invention. Smith may try his occipitai
punch on Al Roberts when they meet
at the Commonwealth Sporting Club
March 9.
His feat of lambasting Sieger when
they clinched gave him tremendous
advantage" Thus declared an onlooker
ut the bout between Sammy Sieger and
Billy De Foe.
The Walker law specifically prohibits
clinching and declares that maintaining
a clinch is foul. The referee Is empow-
cred TO disqualify a pers stent clincher.
II 1t is foul to clinch. then to clinch and
hit Is doubly foul. and to declare that
De Foe gained points by clinchlng and
hitting IS to hold that foul work must
be rewarded with points by the judges.
Magnus Larsen who won the 175
pound class In the intercity amateur
tourney. doubtless saved the day for the
metropolitan team Larsen has been
boxing but few months but has right
hand punch that spells curtains for any
one who receives 1t. Larsen knew moth
ing about competing till o'clock Thurs-
day afternoon, when he got telegra'
to go to the Garden and fight. He
did 70.