The New York herald., 1922-03-26
6rappler Would Doubtless
Rely on Head Lock to Bring
Him Victory.
CORBETT BEAT WRESTLER
Contradictory Rules as to
Clinches Contain Penalty,
but Encourage Evil.
BY CHARLES r. MATHIsoN.

BY CHARLES r. MATHIsON.
In the event of test of the effect
Neness OF boxing skill exemplified by
Jack Dempsey as opposed TO wres-
ding science personified by Stranger
Lewis, the governing rules would
need 10 be carefully drawn. Each is
the acknowledged champion of his
class. Lewis unquestionably is the
worlds greatest catch-as-catch-can
wrestler. and Dempsey's superiority
over heavyweight boxers is painfully
apparent.
In issuing the challenge to Demp-
sey Sandow, manager for Lewis, con-
tented himself with the declaration
that Lewis would confine himself to
wrestling holds. and Dempsey would
be restricted to boxing tactics. 1t
follows as a matter of course that
Lewis would not attempt to box
Dempsey, and the pugilist would not
try TO wrestle Lewis. Yet the latitude
allowed TO each in his own province
would cut most important figure in
the contest. Under boxing rules.
which would govern Dempsey, he
could not hit Lewis when the latter
was down.
Nevertheless. a wrestler may go to
the canvas any time he pleases without
penalty. Under the circumstances, IL
Lewis were permitted to drop to the
floor every time Dempsey started an
offensive movement the grappler could
avoid serious punishment till such time
as he managed to apply a deadlock to
the boxer. Dempsey would undoubtedly
insist on the enforcement of the funda-
mental boxing rule which penalties a
contestant who drops to the ring floor
without being hit. This rule would not
prevent Lewis making a dive for hold
on Dempsey's legs. The chances are
that Lewis would center his efforts to
getting a deadlock on the boxer, and
III ne succeeded it is questionable IL
the boxer would extricate his Uranium
from the clutch in time to escape a
fall.
Flying HeadIocIS Risky.
1t is doubtful If Lewis would try for
flying deadlock unless Dempsey had
been greatly weakened. If the boxer
was still strong. and Lewis made a fly
ing leap In an effort to encircle Demp-
sey's head with his cranium-crushing
left arm, the grappler would get a left
hook or a right uppercut on the chin
that would crumple him on the ring
floor.
1t is altogether likely that Lewis's
plan Of battle would be to lower his
head and rush in for a body or leg
hold. If he got his clutches on the
boxer and brought him to the canvas.
the grapper could then apply any hold
he chose. presumably the deadlock and
win the match
As Dempsey would be required in
order to win to send Lewis to the can
vas for count OF 10. Lewis could be
asked to score but one fall in order to
assure victory for himself.
Dempsey would not consent to a
rolling or flying fall and as pin falls
are prohibited by the New York State
Athletic Commission. the match could
not be staged in this State. New Jer-
sey probably would welcome the con-
test
Lewis would be restricted to legiti-
mate wrestling holds and would not be
permitted TO use the stranglehold as
employed BY Evan Lewis OF Chicago,
who was the original strangler.
The quality that would win a con-
test between Dempsey and Lewis Is
speed. Dempsey is the fastest heavy
weight with hands and feet since Jim
corbett was in his prime. This speed
enables Dempsey to reach an opponent
WIN lHdt III iOENfIulHtSS was
not excelled by any OF his predecessors
In the championship. The present
champion has conducted himself in a
manner to assure the retention OF his
speed.
Lewis Heavy and slow.
Lewis in the past few years has ac-
uulred mountain OF flesh. He weighed
23S pounds the last time he wrestled and
was anything hut speedy in his move
ments. There is hardly a doubt that
Dempsey would be able to feint Lewis
into an opening for a shot to the jaw.
and this would be followed by others
with machine gun rapidity. Even II
Lewis were not fioored by these jolts he
doubtless would be so weakened as to
Put him on the defensive and make the
deadlock useless.
n Dempsey were merely a clever
boxer, without his terrific hitting power.
he would not have a chance against
Lewis The wrestler would take every
thing that was sent In order 10 get to
close quarters and secure a hold. But
the man who fioored Jess Willard seven
times IN the hrst round would not fall
20 reach Lewis with sledgehAmmer blows
early in the combat Those punches
would subdue the Stranger.
There have been q number OF contests
between wrestlers and boxers, and the
grapplers have been victorious. How
ever. the boxers were not noted FOR skill
or hitting ability.
Gotch. Bauer and other great wrest-
lers were always eager to meet noted
boxers. but never got a match Incl
dentally. Gotch Dr Roller and other
wrestlers tried their hands at boxing
and failed 70 achieve much distinction.
Jim Corbett once stopped strong
man and wrestler in a gymnasium en-
counter. The plan Of the strong man
fwho had been accustomed TO breaking
planks with his fst) was to get in close
and disable Corbett by hitting him on
the arms. But the strong person never
got i'm close. because Corbett jabbed him
IN the face so fast he could see nothing
but gloves. Then Corbett brought up n
right uppercut after which the strong
man returned to h.s regular business
Of breaking chains and splitting planks.
Kid Mccoy stopped savate cham
pion in Paris some years ago The
FycSesrlar made vicious kick at Nc
Coy's head and missed. Before the
Gavate expert recovered his balance Nc
Coy planted a corkscrew punch on the
Parisian's masticating department and
the subsequent proceedings interested
MIN not at ALL
II Is possible that Dempsey. failing
TO hnd profitable matches in defense OF
mis- title. may make a match with Lewis
Such contest would all the great bowl
H. Boyle's Thirty Acres.
Jack McAullffc the only retired un-