Imperial Valley press., 1922-02-27
Latest Sport Events
GRIEB-GIBBONS FIGHT
MAY CLEAR MUDDLE
By HENRY l.. FARRELL


NEW YORK, Feb. 27.-Much more
than an individual victory or decision
hinges on the light heavyweight con
test between Tommy Gibbons and Har-
ry Grcb, scheduled for March Is in
Madison Square Garden.
To Make Challenge
That bout will put in motion a pro-
cess which most probably will turn out
the next opponent for Il world s heavy
weight battle with Jack Dempsey
The winner of the bout will be
matched with Gene Tunney for the
American light heavyweight cham
world IS ''battle cruiser" title and
then Dempsey.
Dempsey-Wills Not Popular
Proof that the proposed Dempsey
Wills match for the world heavy
crown did not meet with universal fav-
or has been brought out by the avidity
with which the Gibbons-Greb bout
jumped into public talk. Followers of
the game believe it to be the best
match that has been made in years.
Aside from the big things it should
lead up to, the meeting of the two best
175-pounders in America should be a
thriller. Having met twice before and
having indulged in spirited contests in
print, the decisive meeting with so
much at stake should bring out the best
boxing that has been seen in years.
Tommy Gibbons
For Tommy Gibbons, victory will
mean vindication, probably a world IS
championship and surely large finan-
cial returns. The st. Paul boy suffered
for years in being only the brother of
the great Mike Gibbons. He was admit
ted to be wonderful boxer but he was
so long in discovering knockout
punch that he lost notice. He began to
command attention when he started on
a string of knockout victories number
ed twenty in twenty-three bouts.
Gets Little Credit
But his. opponents were regarded as
little money. Coming into New York
where preliminary boys were being paid
as much as 81 900, Gibbons got $500 for
the star bout at small club. Charged
with lodging the good ones, Gibbons
answered that the good ones wouldn It
meet him. The truth of his assertion is
borne out by two interesting stories.
About a year ago when promoters were
trying to find an opponent for him,
Battling Levinsky was suggested. Dan
Morgan, his manager, refused, however,
and he told the writer that Levinsky
would not meet him because he knew
he would be knocked out. Recently
when the promoters were working on
the GibbonsGreb bout, Eddie Kane,
Gibbons manager, was approached by
party which included Leo Flynn
matchmaker for Tex Rickard and man
ager of Bill Brennan.
"I.u Sign You Know
"I'll sign right now,' Kane answer
ed when they asked him if he would
take Greb. 1t was admitted that Gret
hadn't been approached, but they want
ed Kane to sign anyway.
"IIl sign on one condition. Kane
said. elf you can get Greb, promise
to give us Bill Brennan
Flynn let out a yell that he couldn Z
see the proposition, but he agreed after
much persuasion and Kane signed
Greb, however, signed. Gibbons and
Greb have met twice and honOrs are
even. The Pittsburger, it might be add
ed, had his experience with the st
Paul boy before he developed the
Knockout body punch that he is now
using so successfully
Greb is one of the fastest workers
in the ring and has battling style OF
offense.