The New York herald., 1922-01-08
CaIxa Seeks Action.

George Calza is one wrestler who is
willing to go TO the mat no matter If
the conditions call for rolling falls or
pin falls. Furthermore. Calza is eager
for a contest with Renato Gardini. who
claims to be the best Italian wrestler in
America. Tex Rickard has indicated
his willingness to put the men in bout
in the Garden. but Gardini seems to be
backward about accepting.
Morando Stefani, manager of Calza,
who is a superb specimen of physical
development takes Gardini to task as
follows:
George Calza. the bona fide italian
champion, having won his title in the
national tournament held in Florence,
1921. challenged Gardini November 2
20 wrestle to finish, and TO show that
he was not looking for the losers end.
the challenge stipulated that the win
ner should take all. drew a certi-
fed check for $1,000 and informed
Mr.. George Bothner that Calza would
wrestle Gardini for him at the Madi-
son Square Garden any time he would
make the match but, as usual. Gar
dini was busy elsewhere.
"Calza on the night OF December I.
1921. in Brooklyn, defeated Bernhofc
Hansen in 25 minutes, the same Han
sen who previously had defeated Gar
dlni two straight falls in 40 minutes
at the Fort Hamilton Casino in
Brooklyn"
Midget Smiths rise from an unknown
bantam TO a title contender in years
time is probably without a parallel in
the history Of pugilism. Harry Neary,
manager Of the Midget, gives the fol-
lowing history OF the youngster:
New Yorker by Birth.
Midget Smith was born in New York
city at Ninetieth street on the West Side
on December 3. 1899. He is OF Irish
American parents. He enlisted In the
United States Army and was sent 10
Panama, where he served three years
with the Twenty-ninth and Thirty-third
Infantry. lie was the smallest man in
the army. and was nicknamed midget.
lie fought all the best boys while in
Panama and won the bantamweight
championship 1a17-1919. lie was dis
charged April. 1920. and started profess
sional boxing under my management
June 25. 1920. against Dutch Brandt
ton rounds no decision In Schenectady.
n. Y. Smith. 11S pounds. Brandt. 127.
Smith won newspaper decision.
Smith Joined the Dempsey camp at
Eighth avenue and F'iftv-seventh street
and boxed every day with the champion.
also with Champion Jack Britton. until
August, when he boxed Sammy Nable,
who had not lost a fight in thirty con-
tests. Smith beat Nnhle all the way and
won the referees decision at Mitchell
Field. l.. I.
Smith met Willie Spencer two weeks
later at Mitchell Field and the fight was
called draw
Smith then boxed in Montreal and
knocked out Billy Baker Of England in
eight rounds.
December ., 1920 Smith knocked out
Ihu Frarchini in twenty-one rounds
Johnny Buff was next and the Midget,
eleventh fight. Smith broke a bone ir
his right hand in tho third round and
was outpointed IN hard fight.
Fighting Dick Atkins was next and
the Midget stopped him in two rounds.
Georeie Lee was imported from New
Orleans and lasted nine rounds before
tho Midget stopped him.
Marty Collins. Weighing 123is pound,
20 Smiths lis pounds. held the Midget
even in twelve rounds
Jack SharlSey was the Nidget's nexI
fight IN the Garden. to draw. Smith
and Sharkey met az Manhattan Casino
fifteen rounds. and Smith won. SharkcJ
and Smith again met in the Garden MAY
? and Sharkey won.
Took Rest.
-r-ish laid off one month then boxed
>.Azss Anderson and was outpointed 4,
s~-.ive rounds at Brighton Beach. y Y
The Midget went wcst and fought Jo,
r~;irman ten rounds IN Chicago I'll.
Young Montreal, ten rounds New
York Midget won Joe Burmau. ter
rounds Chicago, Midget won Pal Moore
ten rounds, Aurora, Ill. no decision
Joe Burman. ten rounds New York Bur