The Washington times., 1924-02-04

Hickey belongs to the old school
Of boxers. He was Bob Fitzsim-
mons sparring partner in the long
ago, and believes that Berlenbach
is ready to meet the topnotchers
now. although his professional ca.
reer is only fairly started. 1t must
be remembered that Berlenbach has
been tutored by Hickey for a long
time. He was well advanced in the
art of socking when Hickey brought
him out from under cover.
1t is said that Berlenbach is re
ceiving only $3.50 for each Of his
first three bouts at the Garden
When that contract is fulfilled he
will get big money, for he undoubt
edly is the best drawing card" de
veloped here since Luis Firpo capi
talized his punch last summer.
Hickey isn't barring anybody in
the middleWeight division as q
prospective opponent for Berlen-
bach nor does he draw the line
for some of the light heavy
weights. Mike McTigue is one
lad who can sign up for Berlen-
bach any time at any weight.
Johnny Wilson is another.
Berlenbach probably could MAKE
100 pounds If necessary but hi
natural weight at this time 1s be
tween 100 and 165. That is a bi
too light for the average run
light heavyweights. However, Pau
hits like a heavyweight and shoult
be able to pop over many lads Wh'
outweigh him.
He has demonstrated that he cal
take. a punch. Carbone landed on
notential haymaker on Pauls chil
last Monday night and K. o. Jaff'
walloped him several times in
recent bout. In both Of these en-
gagements Berlenbach fought him
self out of trouble. We recall tina
he knocked down both Jaffe ant
Carbone almost Immediately afte
sampling their hardest wallops.
II remains to be seen whethe
Rerlenbach will fare so well agalns
the elusive type of fighter, the maj
who feints rapidly. weaves IN ant
out lands O. punch and steps away
Eight or ten rounds of chasing al
opponent may tire or slow up TN
heavily muscled Berienoach.
boxer who could keep away IRON
him that long and then begin
smashing attack might bat MIN.
However, it is the opinion o
most of the experts that Berien
bach cannot be stopped except b!
prolonged humping by heaV!
hitter. He loves to go to clos
quarters, and has SO much dyna
mite in his hands that he is llaol'
to turn the tide of battle with ont
punch.
Managers of other middle
weights are casting aspersiOns on
Berlenbach. They point out how
he can be beaten, but none OF
them seems anxious to demon
strate the system by chuckIlng
their boxers into the ring with
Paul.
Hickey is anxious to have Ber
lehbach meet some Of the clever
boxers. 1t wouldn't do Paul a bi
of harm to lose decision OF
points now, and such bouts woult
provide the experience he needs
He has never fought a long battle
for the simple reason that no op
ponent has lasted more than eigh
rounds with him.
While Berlenbach seems rather
a slow thinker in the ring he Ii
really intelligent and follows direc
tions we'll. Probably he could have
stopped Carbone in three or foul
rounds the other night il he hat
kept crowding him. He downeC
the veteran five times in thost
three rounds, but in the fourth anC
fifth he did not press" and seemed
content to let Carbone carry the
fight to him. He did more boxinl
then and appeared to be trying ou
his defensive skill.
Some of the ringsiders though
Paul had shot his bolt then, bu
as a matter of fact, he was onl.
following directions from Hicke!
who wants him to learn more abou
how to defend himself. In th'
sixth he evidently was sent out fo
the KILL" and he ended the bou
in less than a minute after thu
bell rang.
PROBABLY 10 would be o mistake
to send Berlenbach against such
good boxers and hitters as Gene
Tunney or Ad Stone at this time.
Tunney has a discOncerting left
jab and a straight right that he
employs to good advantage. Stone
is q fair boxer and hits well with
both hands.
Neither Tunney nor Stone, how
ever, possesses the knack of crush
ing an opponent with one blow
Berlenbach has it and he nigh
beat either of them.
Hickey will not bar young Strib
ling If that busy young man care.
to flirt with Berlenbachs punch
Stribling is a fancy boxer with &
light punch. He might not 60 ter
rounds with Berlenbach. 1t is &
S1iffiat11A fIni~,u kn -.