New-York tribune., 1921-12-03

This is casting no reflections upon
Johnny Bluffs right to the title, which
is unquestioned, but it means that just
as soon as the six-day bicycle race is
over Madison Square Garden will be
thrown once more into a fight arena
and that its historic squared circle will
be used in applying process of elm
inaton to the quarreling bantams.
According 20 the best fstic informa-
tion obtainable yesterday, Tex Rickard
has matched Midget Smith and Johnny
Buff for bout which is scheduled to
take place at the Garden on the eve
ming of December 23, which will be the
second regular Friday night boxing
show to be staged in the arena after
the bicycle race.
While no official announcement has
been made in relation to this match, it
is fairly certain that it will take place
on the date given in this story. Some
financial differences are yet to be set
tied between the respective managers
but 1t is expected that these obstacles
will be removed within the next twen-
ty-four hours and that tho official an
nouncement from the Garden will be
Immediately forthcoming.
Would Remove Bad Taste
This bout would unquestionably re-
move some Of the bad taste that Is lin
gering In the mouths Of Heht followers
as a result Of the Mike McTigue-JefP
Smith scrap on Thursday night. II
would have all the drawing powers chat
the latter affair lacked. It would also
go long way toward clearing the ban
tamweight atmosphere.
When Midget Smith met Joe Lynch
in the Garden a little more than a
week ago their wild and woolly scrap
was called draw by the officials rep
resenting the New York State Athletic
Commission. Smith and those in his
corner made loud outcry against this
ruling. The Midget's manager, imme-
diately after the bout, said:
"If that isn't a heluva decision /
never heard one"
That could be taken to indicate that
Smiths manager was dissatisfied. The
Midget himself was almost in tears as
he left the ring, and the crowd was
about equally divided, which has led to
much hectic controversy that Is still
going on.
Buff Won Previous Bout
Smith and Buff have met before in
Madison Square Garden, under the
auspices of Tex Rickard, and on that
occasion Buff was awarded the deci-
sion. 1t was fiery affair from bell to
bell, and, while the little old man from
Jersey City was the winner by mar
gin that did not admit of argument,
the fight was Of the type that kept the
crowd up and shouting throughout the
scheduled ten rounds that the battle
lasted.
Smith probably should have been
given the decision over Joe Lynch, for
mer bantamweight title holder, at the
Garden in their last match Whether
this IS so or not, it is certain that he
put up an exhibition that entitled him
to another match with Buff. This po-
tential engagement is the best on Tex
Richards future calendar at the pres
ent time and there. is no doubt that it
would be popular one with the public.
What looks to- be the best card on
the program for tonight is that be-
tween Vincent ("Pepper") Martin and
Jackie Norman at the Rink Sporting
Club in Brooklyn. Martin, who is prob
ably the best featherweight on the
wrong end of the bridge, is the type of
scrapper who is always likely to pro-
vide the action that goes with the
crowd. Tonight he will show Jackie
Norman over the fiften- round route
Kramer to Box Graham
Thirty-six rounds of boxing will be
staged this evening at the Ridgewood
Grove Sporting Club. frankie Kramer
the California lightweight who is aim.
ing at an engagement with Benny
Leonard. is the principal in the star