The Washington herald., 1921-11-02

The Tin Eared Sport was telling
stories about the old timers.
The greatest lightweight that ever
lived-if he wasn't just shade yell
low" he said. was the Mexican,
Aurelio Herrera. That bird had a
kick like a jug Of homemade hooch.
He could hit guy harder than an in
come tax collector. He had more
speed than a message from Mars.
The first time I saw Herrera was
when he came up from bakersfield to
fight Terry McGovern in Frisco. and
believe me. IL II hadn't been for Joe
Humphreys that night, he'd have
knocked Terry for a cot in the county
hospital. Herrera had knocked out
every men he had fought, but Nc
Govern was the first big Lacquer to
come his way. His manager came up
all covered with diamonds he'd won
on Aurelio out in the sticks and ready
to bet a couple Of oilields. When the
boys got into the ring. Joe Humphreys,
who had come from New York with
Terry, was sitting in a chair Just be-
hind the. Mexican's corner. wearing
boots and a big Stetson hat, like an
oil man or a rancher. As soon as
Herrera came in-being first by ten
minutes or so-Humphreys slipped up
to Herrera and sang him a song.
Listen. kid whispers Joe. I've bet
the works on you, and you've got the
biggest chance in the world. I've been
East and seen this guy McGovern. and
he amt so much. All he's got is a
kick and If he puts you down you've
got to watch him when you get up.
II he. should knock You down take
your time. Don't jump up in a hurry.
I'm going to stay right back Of your
corner and IL McGoyern should drop
you you turn and watch me and I'll
wave my hand when it's time to get
up. Don't pay any attention to anyone
else. l know this bird and I'll give
you the office. You gotta win. and I'll
split nfty-ffty on what I take on OF
these birds. Remember now-keep
your eye on me-
IN remember" says Herrera.
Trick Fooled Mexican.
well. Herrera gives Terry an awful
time. He wallops Terry all over the
ring. and for the first time in his life,
since he climbed up, Oscar Gardeners
legs after a knockdown, Terry finds
he's up against II.
Sam Harris. in Terry's corner. near
ly has heart failure as the Mexican
bumps EN- on Terry's chin. In the
fourth round, McGovern is winded and
dizzy, and Sam sends him out in the
nth with instructions 10 take any
chance in the world to get Herrera
on the mat. There's a wild mix up,
and Terry cracks Aurelio and drops
him to his knees, II Herrera had got
up it might have been over. for Terry
had about shot his bolt. But Herrera
turns around deliberately, still on his
hands and knees, and looks for Joe
Humphreys. Joe is standing In
Herreras corner. with his hands in his
pockets. He don't lift paw. Herrera
watches for Joe's hand to wave, and
the referee counts up to ten. When
Herrera realized he had been counted
out, he rushed over to his corner to
see Joe and ask why he didn't give
the signal. but Joe wasn't there, jos
had gone. Herrera wasn't a quick
thinker, then, and 1t was about -four
days before he figured 1t out By
that time Joe was on his way Easi
with Terry and Sam.
How does that show Herrera wasn't
game? I'll tell YOU He wasn't hurt
when he went down. and you cant
keep a game man on the floor wait
ing for a signal that it's safe to gel
up. Herrera knocked out q lot Of
good men after that, but when he met
a regular gamester he never hit his
hardest punch He fought Bat Nelson
twenty rounds. hit Bat with every.
thing but the bucket. got discouraged
and Bat won the decision.
The College Boy.
I've seen some bunny things out
side the ring. too" went On the Tin
Eared Sport Went over to gee