The New York herald., 1921-06-19
FALSE FAVORITES
RULE in TITLE BOUTS
Champions Have Been Pub
lie Choices in Majority of
Important Ring Contests.
By CHARLES f. MATHISON.

Among those who wager on pugil-
istic contests Jack Dempsey is held
favorite over Georges Carpenter al
odds of to 1. This in substance ex-
presses the opinion Of the speculative
clement that the Frenchman has little
or no chance against the champion III
the bout set for Jersey City July 2.
The bettors may be right in their
opinion. but if they are it will be one
of those rare occasions on which the
title holder has sustained the judg-
ment Of those who wager on cham
picnship events. In nearly every case
where the heavyweight title has
changed hands the champion has been
a false favorite. In almost every in
stance, too. the champion has been in
stalled favorte on the strength of past
performances.
The most notable example of this
truth was furnished by the bout be-
tween John l.. Sullivan and Jim Cor
bett. Sullivan, the champion, was re-
garded rs invincible, Notwithstanding
the fact that he showed unmistak
able evidence OF physical deterioration
and had gone fast pace. Yet the title
holders admirers offered to on the
champion to win. However, this was
due almost entirely to the personal
popularity of Sullivan and to lack of
accurate information in the East as to
Corbett's qualifications. The Califor-
mans most noteworthy performance
had been n sixty-one round draw with
Peter Jackson. but the value of this
feat had been discounted by the re-
port that Jackson was lame when he
entered the ring.
Corbett, in addition. had outpointed
Jake kilrain in a six round bout In
1900 and 1t had taken Sullivan seventy
Ave rounds to subdue Klrain in 1889.
Nevertheless the Californian was regard
ed merely as "parlor boxer" and
it was predicted that the Boston Strong
Boy would lay Gentleman Jim low with
the first solid punch.
As it turned out Sullivan never landed
a solid punch or any other kind of a
punch on the youngster and Corbett
iabbed the champion to a fare you well
In twenty-one rounds. The betting odds
on this fight were due to wilful neglect
to study the real form Of the challenger
and to blind reliance on the efficacy of
the Sullivan punch. No doubt had Sulli-
van been able to land he would havs
brought Corbett down. but the wonderful
defensive skill of the challenger COM
pletely bafed the champion.
Turned to Corbett.
When the followers of pugilism re-
allied that tire new champion was the
greatest boxer ever developed in the
heavyweight class. they installed him as
pugilistic king on the throne once oc-
cupied by Sullivan. Corbett endeared
himself to the American dcvotees of box
ing by making short work of Charley
Mitchell. who had been a thorn in the
side OF Sullivan and Corbett. and when
match for the title was finally granted
10 Bob Fitzsimmons. the experts de-
cfded that. while Fitz was heavy hitter
and great ring general. Corbett would
give him the same kind OF dose he
dealt TO Sullivan. Therefore. Corbett
was made favorite over the Cornishman
at figures ran ing from to to 2 to I.
Again the prophets went wrong. and
fairly large proportion OF bettors who
took the short end made handsome win
nings. However. the Ftz-Corbett fight
was not 20 one-sided as II might have
oeen. and those who wagered on Corbett
Jaw victory coming when in the sixth
.'ound Fitz. bleeding and shaky. was on
one knee taking the count. Yet the re-
rnarkable recuperativc powers OF the
challenger saved him and he freshened
as the bout progressed and eventually
won with his famous solar plexus punch.
Quite naturally the manner in which
Fitz had STAYED off defeat and finally
eorauerel the chsmn!on made the
freckle fisted fury a great favorite.
Therefore when he was matched with
the practically unknown Jeffries OF Cali
fornia the contest was regarded
one sided affair. The best men jeff had
met were Tom Sharkey and Joe Choyn-
ski, and both had held him practically
even. To pit this youngster against the
greatest hitter and craftiest ring gen.
eral in the history of the game was
looked upon as cruel to the Californian.
Fitz was held at 3 to over the
Boilermaker. and those who took the
short end realized handsomely.
Fits Nearly Won.
There has always been some question
as to the merits OF the bout in which
jeff took the title from F'itz. due largely
10 the fact that the Cornishman failed to
tnflict any damage on the youngster.
The suspicion was strengthened when
two years later. when Jeff had the ad-
vantage OF experience and confidence.
Fitz, In his fortieth year. went to Cali
forna and for seven rounds gave JEFF
fries the most terrific drubbing cham
pion ever received. But Fits hands
gave way under the strain of the heavy
punching he administered to JEFF and
when the veteran was helpless jeff set
tied him second time.
Jeffrles was consistently favorite In
all of his battles. and hp Waa bp nue
champion who made good on the betting
favor. In which he was held So long
"a he held the title he justified the con-
fidence Of his hackers.
But Jeffries finally reti~d in 1905.
being In the 81 mo 80 % H..