The New York herald., 1921-08-31
DOWNEY HAS BOXED
ABLEST FIGHTERS
Has Never Been STOPPED and
lost But Two Decisions
on Points.
BY CHARLES r.. MATHIsoS.

William Bryan Downeys ring record
is by no means brilliantly spectacular
one. II does not sparkle with knockouts
over able opponents nor does It scintillate
with decisions over clever and scientific
adversaries Yet the list OF this Ohio
boys performance in the roped square
is OF such q character as to challenge
the attention of close students of boxing.
An inspection OF his contests since he
began fighting In 1914 SHOWS that two
decisions have been made against him
on points during his ring career and
that he never has been dropped for the
full count Of ten.
The significance OF this record lies IN
the fact that the Ohio boy has met
the ablest fighters In the light, weller
and middle weight classes. The referees
decisions against Downey were given in
favor OF that master boxer and crafty
ring general Jack Brtton, and coming
welterweight IA the person OF Jock Ma
lone. Downey and Britton have met in
the ring five times and the champion OF
the welterweishts succeeded in getting
the referees award only once.
During his campaign in three classes
(Downey started as a llghtweighD he
has twice knocked out so good a man
as Jack Perry Of Pittsburgh. has won
referees decisions over Jock Malone,
Tommy Robson. X. 0. Loughlin, Steve
Latzo. Joe Chip and other tough welters
and middlewcights In addition he has
met such men az Johnny Griffiths. Ted
Lewis. Len Rowlands. Soldier Bartfield.
Algie Rather and many others of that
class. While Downey has not inflicted
severe punishment on the majority of his
opponents none OF them has made any
impression on him worth mentioning.
In substance, Downey has shown him
self to be rugged, two handed fighter,
lacking first class ability as a boxer, but
with sufficient combativeness and
strength to make him dangerous at all
stages OF a fight.
In comparison with Downey's record
the performances Of Johnny Wilson for
the same period of time do not make
convincing exhibit. Inspection OF his
efforts in the ring show that the first
man of class met by Wilson was George
Robinson. Boston negro The en-
counter took place in 1917 and Robin
son won the decision on points. In
1918 Wilson lost to Leo Houck on points
In twelve round bout and lost to
Frank Carbone on a foul in the third
round. Wilson's 1919 record was with
out feature, and in 1920 he gained the
title from Mike O'Dowd as the result
OF questionable decision in Boston.
In 1921 he retained his title in
bout with O'Dowd. the latter going to
the hospital Immediately after the bout
as the result Of a series OF low blows
struck by Wilson.
Wilson's last recorded bout was the
one in Cleveland with Downey. In which
the title holder was floored three times
in the seventh round but received the
decision OF his personal referee on an
alleged foul.
Jess Willard sent word from Kansas
yesterday that he is training hard and
losing pound a day. He weighs 265
and expects 10 reduce to Gas. II he
continues 10 lose flesh at that rate lie
will bc ready in twenty-seyen days.
Charley Harvey Is seldom at O loss
for a reply 10 rival managers, as Is
evidenced from the following:
Replying 10 Jack Bulger's criticism
OF Ted Kid Lewis. would say that
am quite agreeable 10 his suggestion
that Lewis should box Micky Walker
before clinching a match with Jack
Britton, and will meet him any time 70
settle terms. II Bulger is sincere I'M
his challenge let him arrange a meet
ing Immediately"
1t IS reported that Wilson instructed
his sparring partners to hit him hard
yesterday and that the blows had no
effect on the Bostonian. This Is re-
markable, as sparring partners. when
old 70 cut loose. usually do great dam
age to their principals.