The New York herald., 1922-01-02
BUFF TO GO ABROAD
TO SEEK RING FAME
Holder of Two Titles to Invade
Bantam and Flyweight
Forces in England.
by CHARLES F. MATHIsON.

Johnny Buff, holder of two titles. fly
weight and bantam, has decided to 60
to England and risk one of his cham
pionship possessions. Incidentally he
may try to lift the worlds hyweight
championship, now held by Jimmy
Wilde.
This determination on the part of
Buff to go abroad and leave a large
number Of American bantams without
chance to even try for one of his titles
has proven great surprise to the stay
at homes When Buff defeated Herman
for the bantam title the proud manager
of the champion announced that the
Jerseyman intended to be a real title
holder and would defend his honors at
short intervals, against the best boys
in the class.
Even when Buff was offered guaran-
ty of $1,000 to meet Jimmy Wilde in
England he declined on the ground that
he was in honor bound to remain here
and defend his title. This was the signal
for a battalion of ambitious bantams to
lombard Buff with challenges, and 1t
was expected he would at any minute
get into the ring with one of his chal-
lengers.
Suddenly he announced that he would
go TO England and seek matches with
the bantans there. In passing it may
be mentioned that the bantams of Eng
land are few compared with those in
this country and are not nearly so
dangerous.
Paying His own Expenses.
Buff is not making the foreign trip
on a guarantee, but is paying his own
expenses across the ocean and will de-
pend on getting matches after his ar
rival there
Viewed from all angles. the action of
the Jerseyman Is surprising. He can
get but one bantam match and that is
with Tommy Harrison. the title holder
of the class. In this contest Bluffs
world title would be az stake, and as
Harrison is a fairly good performer. and
English referees are strict, Buf would
stand chance OF being shorn of his
title. He might recompense himself by
winning Wilde's fyweight crown.
Buff, Jabez White. Albany bantam
weight. and Lew Diamond manager of
Buff and White. sail on the steamship
Baltic for London. January 15. White
has just Joined the Diamond stable
He will appear in exhibitions with Buff
in London dance halls and vaudeville
houses.
Dempsey and Wills.
Jack Dempsey is and always will be
fighting champion. He is ready to de-
fend his title at any time the public dc
mands"
This was tho answer OF Jack Kearns
Dempsey's manager. to the question:
"Will Dempsey fight Harry Wils?"
But please do not construe this a:
an effort on our part to cook up fight
with Wills" he continued. "Of the pres.
ent possible heavyweight contenders
Wills probably looms UP as the best
| But he Is a black man.
Boxing In better than half of ,hs
larger States and cities is controlled by
commissions which, with great unanim-
ity. have ruled against mixed matches
This may safely be interpreted as indi
eating that public sentiment is against
mixed matches.
Public sentiment for and against
such match is the controlling factor
If the public wants bout between
! Dempsey and Wills IL viii indicate ITS
desires. And YOU can say that pempkoy
will be responsive 60 the public desires
He realizes that az a champion he Is
subject to the wishes OF the public that
makes the boxing game possible
dempsey fought colored men before
he became champion. He fears no one
and .f the public demanded the bout ht
would not draw the color line