The New York herald., 1922-10-01
Carpenters Conqueror Has
Yet to Show the Pugilistic
Ability of the Bostonian.
WAS TERRIFIC PUNCHER
Sidestepped by Two Cham
pions, Burns and Johnson
-Langford Lost Chance.
BY CHARLES r. MATHIsoN.

BY CHARLES r. MATHISON.
A survey Of the physical proper
tions of Battling Sikh, as disclosed by
his latest photographs. recalls the
stumpy figure of Sam Langford, the
Tar Baby. in the days when nearly
all white heavyweights and one Of his
own race drew the color line. Sikh
has the fiat nose and spreading nos
tris of Langford. and resembles him
in general build. Should Sikh. as the
result of future contests with better
heavyweights than Carpenter. prove
to be a second Langford in pugllistic
ability. it would mean sorrow and trib-
ulation for a majority Of the heavy
weights who are waiting for Dempsey
to retire undefeated.
1t might also present a challenger
who would have at least an even chance
against the present champion. These
desirable conditions naturally hinge on
what Sikh does when he faces real fight
ers In the ring.
If the Senegalese comes to America
and in convincing manner defeats wills,
Miske, Brennan and others of that
class It will be accepted as proof that
q worthy contender for Dempsey's crown
has been discovered.
Burns Ran Away from Langford.
At the Same time it would be asking
4 great deal of Sikh to duplicate the
performances OF Langford. This Nova
Ecotian negro, who stood feet 6ia
inches tall, and in his best form never
weighed more than 165 or 10 pounds
would unuuestionably have won the
American heavyweight championship il
Tommy Burns had not rushed for
cyclone cellar every time he caught
night OF Langford.
Following the retirement from the
ring Of Jeffries in 1905. which left both
the world and American titles open to
competition, a cluster OF mediocre
heavyweights started an elimination
competition to determine which shouid
Law claim to the title OF American
champion. The contenders included
Tommy Burns, Canadian who had
settled in the United States; Marvin
Hart of Kentucky. Philadelphia Jack
O'Brien, Hugo Kelly, Tommy Ryans
protege; Jack (Twin) Sullivan. Dave
Barry and Fireman Jim Flynn.
When Langford sent in an applica-
ton for membership he was unani-
the other white contenders, claimed the
American title and then got leg on
the worlds championship by knocking
out Bill Squires. the heavyweight
champion Of Australia. Burns rees-
tablished the worlds title relinquished
by Jeffries by going to London and on
December q 1907. knocking out Gun
I ner Moir. British champion, IN ten
X rounds AT this time Langford was IN
top form and would have stopped Burns
in five or six rounds.
Burns after winning from Moir went
to Australia. where he became pusil-
istic idol
johnson Escapes from Langford.
About this time Sam Fitzpatrick. who
had rescued Jack Johnson from the
20, 20. 80 boxing class decided to take
the big black to England, and at much
personal and financial inconvenience ana
embarrassment arranged the trip. on
arrival in England johnson engaged in
a few unirnportant bouts and then &C
copted an offer to meet Langford at the
National Sporting Club, London. Lang
ford took the first steamer for England.
but when he arrived there johnson had
flown. He had received an offer to go
to Australia and fight Burns for the
title, but in order to get the Lonoon
Club8 permBSlOn 10 pOStpOue HiS hdSSit
with Langford Johnson was required
10 sign AT agreement by the terms OF
which no was to return to England and
fght Langford as soon as he hnished
his engagement with Burns.
The agreement has been framed by
tho London club. but that Is all the or
ganization received from Johnson. He
never went back to England. but headed
for the Pacific coast. Previous to sail
ing for the United States Johnson gave
svidence of spirit of ingratitude by
summariiy dismissinS Fitzpatrick as
manager. Fitzpatrick had through his
influence with promoters put Johnson in
a position to earn thousands. where pre-
vously the black had been glad TO get
hundreds. Yet he threw over his man
ager, who insisted after Johnson's vic
tory over Burns that the new cham
pion keep his engagement with Lang
ford.
Avoided Langford's waIlop.
There Is not a shadow Of doubt as to
Johnson's reason for sidestepping Lang
ford. Johnson did not propose TO risk
his newly acquired honors against so
terrific hitter as Langford was at that
time. In fact johnson consistently ig-
nored Langford from that time for
ward. and both are now In the pugllstic
discard.
Johnson and Langford met once in
the ring. They boxed fifteen rounds at
Chelsea. Mass. April IS. 1906. and John