New-York tribune., 1921-12-02

has clutched tenaciously ever since
Joe forgot to turn the trophy over toS
Pete Herman when that gent dethroned
him from the bantamweight peaks, and
consequently Pete was unable to hanu
it to Johnny Buff when Jersey City's
little old man relieved him of the
crcwn. The incident of the belt, which
was originally donated by Tex Richard,
adds an interesting sidelight to about
as colorful situation as has arisen in
the boxing world this season.
Rivalry Among Bantams
The rivalry in the bantam division
is keen and the situation as it stands
to-day holds the novel possibility Of
Pete Herman coming back to win the
title for the third time. This would
establish a precendent and an entirely
new record in the long and rugged his
tory Of the ring. For that reason, II
for no other the fans are pulling for
return bout between Herman and Buff.
The latter has shown no very apparent
desire to mix with Pete again, although
Johnny is willing scrapper and will
probably not try to dodge such an en-
counter if Pete goes out and rings up
few preliminary victories to his
credit.
While neither Buff nor his manager
has made any loud outcry for the belt
that is rightfully theirs, it is evidently
Richards determination to see that the
emblem, or it's counterpart, is turned
over to them Immediately. Statements
to this effect were made at Madison
Square Garden yesterday.
The sum Of $4,000 has been withheld
by Tex Richard from the purse due to
Lynch for his recent affair at Madison
Square Garden with Midget Smith. This
money will be used on Monday to de-
fray the cost of diam ond belt for
Johnny Buff, unless Lynch turns over
the trophy now in his possession before
that time. In this event the former
bantam king will receive the $4,000 and
the belt will be Immediately forwarded
to Buff.
Adds a New Phase
The Midget Smith Joe Lynch scrap
adds new phase to the bantam
weight situation. The Midget, his man
ager and his handlers, believe that
they were handed decidedly raw deal
when the SmithLynch bout at the Gar
den last week was called a draw. In
this belief they have the sympathy and
support of a great many people who saw
that fight. The controversy revolving
about the decision has become so
heated that return engagement be-
tween the two seems to be a certainty,
AS an attraction it would undoubtedly
have drawing powers far in excess Of
any of the prospective middleweight
engagements.
Pete Herman is taking great care of
himself and is gradually rounding into
shape for his comeback campaign. Yes
terday Pete spoke many words of praise
for little Johnny Green, the promising
bantam who meets Phil Franchini in q
twelve round bout at the Rink Sporting
Club in Brooklyn tomorrow night. The
two had fierce three-round workout
IN Seamon's gymnasium during the
afternoon and afterward the veteran
Pete remarked:
IL have watched Franchini box on
many occasions and I can't see where
he stands chance with Green. I
wouldn't be surprised if Franchini was
handed a Knockout in the early STAGES
Of the fight"
Sol Seeman, the fast featherweight
who defeated Sammy Waltz, New Eng
land featherweight champion. in HoI-
yoke last Friday night, claims that the
best boys in his division are side-step
ping him. Seeman says he has dec,-
sions over Mickey Brown, Mike ARA,
Tommy Elm, Lew Mcfarland, Willie
Davis and few others. Sol saws that
MS efforts to get match with Billy De
Foe, the st. Paul boy, Danny Frush and
others who are looked upon just now as
headliners. have met with discourag,nr
rebuffs.