San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-17
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Kansas Is d Wonder.
Wins At Ripe Old Age.
Been Going Many
Years.
And Still Going Strong.
What of His Title
Claim?
BY Damon Runyon---
Copyright, 1925, International Feature
Service, Inc.)

BY Damon Nunyon
. Copyright. 1925. International Feature
Service. Inc.)
Rocco Tozzo, of Buffalo, more ia
miliarly known as Rocky Kansas, re-
Gently came walking out of the pugilis-
tic tomb with something of claim on
the lightweight championship of the
world.
He had been laid on the shelf so
long that most ringworms thought his
fistic ability must have mummified.
But here he is, such as he is, 80 years
old, and well battered up, holding the
claim aforesaid.
Some may say his claim is spurious.
1t is born Of his defeat OF Jimmy
Goodrich, also Of Buffalo, in a 10
round bout in their old home town,
and Goodrich established whatever
claim he had to the title by winning
a tournament conducted by the New
York State Athletic Commission.
Mr.. Benjamin Leiner, or Leonard,
had turned in his title of lightweight
champion of the world, by formally an
nouncing his retirement. The tourna-
ment, to which lightweights from all
over the country were invited, was to
determine his successor. Goodrich
tucked through couple Of early
bouts, and finally wound up winning
rather impressively.
Folks said he couldn't fight much.
The New York ringworms think either
Sammy Mandcii, of Rockford, ILL.,, or
Sid ferris, of New York, could lick
the best day he ever saw. Goodrich
beat Manden in the tournament on a
foul, and Terris didn't enter the thing.
None the less, Goodrich was recog-
nized by che New State Commission
as its champion, and his first defense
of his title was against Kansas. Every
one outside of Buffalo thought Good
rich would win easily, but in Buffalo
the boys were betting on Kansas. 1t
seems that they were quite aware that
Rocky had been training for months
for this one bout.
] was probably as astonished as
anyone over the result. The last time
/ saw Rocky he teetered slightly as
he walked across a ring, and gave
every impression of fighter at the
end of his pugilistic string.
| thought Goodrich would beat him
on sheer youth and freshness. if moth
ing else. / have seen Goodrich make
some very good fights, along with
some bad ones. His title was calcu-
lated to give him plenty of confidence
against his fellow townsman.
1t must Be conceded that Rocky
Kansas is a remarkable chap. He has
been fighting ID years, and has met
some of the toughest men the light
weight division has ever known-Ben-
ny Leonard, Lew Tender, Richie
Mitchell, George CLANCY, Johnny Dun
dee, and scores of others.
He fought Jack Bernstein and John
ny Dundee in 1924. In 1925 he had
a few fights, but they were mainly
against mediocre opponents. He had
accumulated plenty of money during
his ring career, and retirement seemed
the wisest course for him to pursue.
But Kansas felt he could whip
Goodrich. He convinced Mr.. Charles
Murray, who is known as Big Hearted
Charley to his loving friends, and
Murray promoted the match that re-
suited in Goodrich's downfall.
Just what Rocky Kansas will do
with his title is matter of conJec-
turc. There are Il lot of fellows he
can beat, but also there are lot he
probably can't beat. | doubt that he
would have much luck with some OF
the tough young fellows who have
come into the lightweight division
within the past three years.
But as ! say, Kansas has plenty OF
money. and he can afford to take his
time about fighting again. He must
defend the title within six months I'M
der the rules of the New York State
Athletic Commission, but the commits
sion doesn't specify an opponent UNI
less someone files formal challenge
and check for $500 to bind the
challenge.
| do not think Kansas has any IL
lusons about his fighting ability.
There was a time when he didn't have
TO take off his hat to any man in the
division, but Kansas probably knows
that that time has passed. However,
by not fighting too often it is conceiv-
able that he will go on for n couple
of years, at least.
He was always one of the greatest
crowd-plcasers that ever craw LED
through the ropes - approximatlng
greatness as fighter ut his best. lie
is a chunky built little man, with very |
short arms, but he is extremely az
gressive, and mighty clever boxer.
AS far back as 1922 he fought
Leonard a 15-round battle and lost,
and q little later Leonard stopped him
in eight rounds. Some thought Rocky |
Kansas was all through then, but he
kept on going. He always had re-
markable endurance. and always took
excellent care of himself.
This last is one reason why he was
able to travel Is rounds against the
younger Goodrich in Buffalo, and
take the decision. Young gentlemen
cmbarking on ring careers may find
n lesson and inspiration in the career
of Rocky Kansas.
lie is a fine little man, very popu-
lar among his townspeoplc in Buffalo,
and while they felt sorry for Goodrich,
they exulted that Kansas closes out
his long career as a champion, even il
it is only New York Athletic Com
missions champion.