The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-10

most reprehensible proceeding.
It transformed the calm, super
courteous Gibbons into a merciless
.'liller" and the Kid became the
victim Of a technical knockout after
b5 seconds of fighting in tho sixth
round. For his own sake, would
like to see Gibbons hit low at
least twice in every future fight,
provided the punches inflict no
serious or lasting damage. 1t is
well within the bounds Of possibility
that if opponents will oblige in this
respect. Tom Gibbons may be the
next heavyweight champion OF the
world.
The writer has known Gibbons,
the gentleman, for some time, and
always felt that he lacked the
"killer instinct" Of which heavy.
weight champions are made.
saw new Gibbons last eight. Il
was Gibbons in a cold, savage rage
and the sight was an inspiration.
Some one will take Jack Dempsey
one Of these fine evenings and it
is my bet that an enraged Gibbons
has as good a chance as any. He
never looked as good as he did last
night. 1t was a great fight.
GIT came as the fitting finale to
the local Christmas fund show,
with less than fifty seats left
uIlsold in the spacious Garden
and about $4,000 being realized
By the promoters.
Only half Of the honors went
to the Caucasian race, however.
In the semi-final, Tiger Flowers, Of
Atlanta, a black man who fights
like an ape, scored technical
knockout over Johnny Wilson, ex-
middleWeight champion, in the
third round. John thought the, ref
eree's action was a bit haSty, not
to say premature, but hardly had
the strength to lift his hands IN
registering the protest. 1t was
Johns first knockout. He had a
punch like an ex.brewer. 1nciden-
tally, it might be added that the
Tiger is quite a pugilist.
Two knock downs, with Norfolk
the knockee, as it were, preceded
the climax of the Gibbons affair.
One came at the close OF the fifth
round from a right to the Jaw,
II
neutral corner for a. short count.
The bell saved him as he weaved
to his feet. Gibbons tore into the
kid at the start OF the sixth round
and had him groggy in few Sec
Qpds with a right and left to the
jaw. Norfolk covered desperately
but Thomas stood over him calmly
and selected his openings with
deliberate score.
Another right to the head
brought the kids guard up and
then q hard right to the body
brought the kids body down. He
remained, as was, for count Of
eiX. Climbing painfully to his
feet, he attempted to back away
but only achieved a typical bar
room pass out, landing on his
shoulder blades on the other
side of the ring. The referee then
stopped it.
Gibbons carried every round Of
the six. but his advantage in the
first three was not altogether over
Whelming owing to the fact that
they INDUCED in much mitigating
with Gibbons feeling out his man.
Norfolk rallied at the start Of the
fourth. cutting Gibbons nose and
pounding him about the body, but
before the end of the round Tom
scored with terrific right to the
body that really won the fight
The bell saved Norfolk here.
1T may be noted that Gibbons did
most of his execution with his right
which was passing strange in view
Of the fact that Norfolk is said to
be partly blind in his right eye and
therefore might be unable to watch
TOMS left hand. .: