Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-03
MEALY |SA REAL
RING COMEBACK
John Has Won Six Bouts in Row
Since Being Stopped
by Barrett
WAS READY TO RETIRE
BY LOUIS II. JAFTE

THIS seems to be the comeback sea.
L son. There are number Of. boxers
who have been lured back into the ring
harness recently, after they had been on
the side-lines for some time.
But the man who came back more I'm.
pressively than any--after il looked az
If he had bceu knocked into fistic
oblivion is Johnny Mealy. When Mealy
was knocked out by Bobby Barrett. II
was believed that the Southwark boxers 9
career had ended.
In fact. it was announced by close
friends Of Mcaly that he was through
that he never would box again. But
after three weeks the boxing bug got
a-buzzing. and Johnny said that he
wanted just another bout---that's all.
but one moro match and then he would
retire.
Mealy was paired with Philadelphia
Joe yelling. John defeated Welling
handily, and then he decided to call off
the retired stuff. Jimmy Murphy came
along. and Mcaly whipped him. Then
Whitley Fitzgerald finished on the wrong
end Of decision with Mealy, after
which George Eagcl was trimmed.
The return match with Barrett finally
was pulled and Mealy came through
with flying colors. While Mealy did
not even the score with a knockout,
he piled up sufficient points, to win
beyond question.
George Erne was tho sixth man in
a row to lose to Mcaly. and now
Johnny feels as II he we're pointed for
matches higher up.
Referees Fine Judgment
Frank McCrackcn. who was referee
in the match on Friday night when
both principals were foored sinultarc-
ously, used perfectly good Judgment.
With both Blackiston and Harkins lying
on the canvas, some referees might
have found themselves in a quaudary
would have been SO puzzled that time
would have been lost in forming de-
cision.
stepped into the picture Immediately.
did not lose moment and began count
ing over both amateurs, standing be-
tween the fallen boxers. A minute
later McCracken again proved himself
wide awake when Blackiston dropped
Harkins fat on his back. and did not
out" and he probably would not have
regaincd his feet inside of a fifty scrond
toll
Some Of the spectators are Of the
opinion that McCracken helped Blackis.
ton to his feet when Sam was dropped
That was not the case at all. Frank
did try to pick up boxer. but II
wasn't Blackiston--it was Harkns
after William had been knocked fatter
than the proverbial pancake the second
time.
Leitz Pleases
Nine months on the side-line owing
to an injury 70 hls head. suffered as Z
result OF diving while swimming, evil
IDENTIFY has not handicapped Joe Leitz.
The uptown wcltcrweight made his re {.
turn appearance in the ring at the
| Cambria Club and. stacked up against
one OF the most promising Of local l45-
Founders. l.citz showed pleasing form.
In meeting Tommy Deylin, of Mana.
yunk. Leitz faced clever two handed
boxer-one who may not be termed n
hard hitter, but at the same time he is
an elusive man in the ring. Tommy
Reilly was satisfied that Leitz not only
outpunched Devlin, but also outpointed
him.
Two more bouts. says Riley. and then
L"itz Will be ready to set sail for the
top notchers in the Jack Britt0n class.