New-York tribune., 1921-03-21
Kansas and Jackson Clash
Tonight at Garden Benefit
Buffalo Lightweight, Who
Seeks Leonard's Crown,
Makes New York Debut
By w. I. Macbeth


their first view Of Rocky Kansas, of
Buffalo, who is the latest sensation of
the lightweight division. Kansas will
appear in a twelve-round bout with
Willie Jackson, the popular East Slider,
in the closing show of the season of
Tex Richards club at Madison Square
Garden.
This farewell performance, which
will present no fewer than five high
class bouts at popular prices ranging
from 81 to $40, is being given for the
Relief of Ireland Fund. Tex Rickard
has not only donated his amphitheater
free Of charge but his services as we'll,
and practically all of the gate receipts
will be devoted to the relief of Ire
lands poor. The fighters once have
shown rare sentiment and have con-
tracted their services at figures ridicu-
lousy low in these times of frenzied
finance in sports.
Willie Jackson and Rocky Kansas are
two of the foremost aspirants to light
weight honors. There was another,
Lew Tender, of Philadelphia, but he
must be laid on the shelf temporarily.
Tender has to submit to the amputa-
ton of at least one finger. He may
come back to all his oldtime prowess
in time, but it will take long time.
And then again the operation may end
his promising ring career.
Kansas Has Good Record
AS to Willie Jackson, he has beaten
the best of the lightweights, with the
exception of Leonard. He never has
boxed Benny in a real set-to. Leonard
and Jackson met once in an exhibition
for the benefit of war relief work, but
it was an exhibition in every sense of
the word, and neither tried to damage
the countenance or prestige OF the
other.
Kansas is much better known in the
Middle West than in the East and has
creditable record. He is rough and
tough fellow, possessed of sock, and
can make things interesting for the
F.. best of his division. Also, like bat"
! Nelson of old, he is said to be able to
absorb an unusual amount of punish
ment, as we'll as to hand it out. Rocky
Kansas was never seriously consldered
by the promoters of New. York until
after his sensational victory over
/ falo, few weeks ago.
Kansas knocked out Mitchell in less
than a round. To prove it was no
fuke he afterward went to Mitchells
town, Milwaukee, and beat Richie
through ten-round engagement. Kan
sas was matched to box Leonard for
the lightweight championship at Madi
son Square Garden st. Patrick's night,
but illness forced the titleholder to
ask for a delay.
Kansas is not cursed by any false
| sense of modesty.
He thinks he can trim Leonard, so
is not worrying over Jackson. Rocky
Knocked out Mitchell shortly after the
latter had given Benny Leonard the
battle of his life in Madison Square
Garden, when, after being foored
the champion down for the full count.
This Jackson Kansas fight should
prove one of the best lightweight at
/ fractions of the season. With Tender
! temporarily retired, the winner. with
out doubt, will have first call on Leon
ard. This, with the outdoor season
approaching, is distinction which may
mean more in the end than to-night's
purse.
Midget Smith and Sharkey
Scarcely less important is the ten
round mill that will pit Midget Smith
against Jack Sharkey. The latter has
turned over new leaf and for weeks
has been in strict training. He has
just returned from long sojourn at
Hot Springs, Ark. Sharkey, at his
best, would be much the best boy the
sensational Midget has yet encountered
locally. And if appearances do not lie,
Sharkey seems at his best
Kid Norfolk, the black Thunderbolt,
has donated his services free Tor ten
round engagement with Jack Ward, Of
Philadelphia. Sammy Sieger, the East
Side phenom, will box ten rounds with
Artie Root, of Cleveland. Joe Lynch,
the bantamweight champion, was to
have boxed ten rounds with Artie Ed
wards, but the little title holder in
lured his hand and had to cancel.
Rickard hopes to secure a suitable sub
stitute in time.
Jimmie Johnston, impresario of the
Manhattan Casino, has offered middle
weight champion Johnny Wilson
guarantee of $4,000 to box fifteen
rounds with the winner of the Augie
Ratner-Jack Stone fight that he will
present at his next show Thursday
And, by the way, Jimmie is pulling
for Stone, for if Stone should be next
in line for crack at Wilson, the bout
would cost Johnston only the cham
picns end.
Get me Wilson," said Stone, "and
ii Hght Tor nothlng. III get the
money after ! win the championship"
Stone and Rather will box ten rounds.
The main attraction at the Manhat-
tan Casino will be tifteen-r round tilt
between Pete Herman and Georgia
Adams. of Chicago. Adams gained a
great reputation locally by knocking
out Bud Dempsey at the Pioneer Sport
ing Club. This will be Herman's first
appearance in New York since he lost
his title on decision to Joe Lynch at
Madison Square Garden. Since that
occasion, however, Herman scored
knockout over Jimmy Wilde, the Eng
lish fyweight champion, in London.
This will be a sort of feast night for
| the fight fans of greater New York.
Besides the big Garden show there will
I oe entertainments at the Star A. C. and
! at the Broadway Exhibition Associa-