Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-10-23

e''iTS' wi Soihy a anu
established contender than ever Wills
was. Jack Sharkey today is on a
plane with Jack Dempsey in the list
of pursuers for Gene Tunney, present
champion. If indeed, he is not de-
serving of precedence over the form
er title holder. The Boston ex sailor
did what Dempsey could not or
would not do when he undertook
the match with Wills. He also did
what Tunney would not do.
Tunney Once Evaded sharkey
Sharkey right now looks like the
man who will beat Gene Tunney if
Tunney is so reckless as to give the
HubLithuanian chance at the IL
tie in his first defense of the crown
he won few weeks ago. 1t is ,rea-
sonable to conclude, too, that Tun-
ney has a wholesome respect for the
Boston lad. The work of Sharkey
here against Eddie Huffman and
against Wills recalls to mind that
this same Sharkey was responsible
for the difficulties in which Tunney
found himself with the State Ath-
letic Commission and the License
Committee last summer
Colonel John ]. Phelan of the Lii
cense Committee insisted on Tunney
boxing Sharkey in Madison Square
Garden as qualifying test for Tun-
ney. then being doomed as an oppo-
nent for Dempsey Sharkey signed
for the bout with alacrity Tunney,
or Billy Gibson acting for Tunney,
verbally accepted the bout, according
to Colonel Phelan, but never signed
.rfi hor CrI>
sequentIy Colonel PheIan favored
suspension of Tunney until he fought
Sharkey, and, while the suspension
never actually was imposed, the fact
remains that Tunney never was per-
mitted to fight here.
Now, as champion Tunney has
this same Sharkey camping on his
trail. What is more, while Tunney
is ring idle, Sharkey plans to keep
active in the sport, fighting any riv-
ais selected for him, gradually fore
ing the issue until the public de-
mands that Tunney give him his til
tie chance. The first step fn this di-
rectioD will be taken by Johnny
Buckley, manager of Sharkey, next
Tuesday, when Buckley plans to so
before the commission and submit a
challenge from Sharkey to Tunney.
Will Press Claim for Match
81 want to get Sharkey a match
with Tunney for ~ title now said
Buckley yesterday. "We have been
chasing Tunney for more than a
year, but haven light up with
Fin yet. tbiI 1t Jack is en-
titled to recog'l, wv as the out
standing challenger or the title and
I am confident the public viii sup
port us in our campaign TO get Tun-
ney into the ring wien the time
comes for him to defend his title.
SIN the meantime Sharkey will con-
tirue fighting. am not goins to
" Elm III plenty OF fighting is
"sS pro pas. linda IN the world,
and, it won't dc Kim any harm. Let
81 loters dig up the opponents.
Jack OempsC" .ck De1onev. Wills
. IS in, anyone Jack will fight them
i e Boston lad left by auto last.
night for his home in the Chestnut
" section of Boston. Sharkey Is
Il p'oud iather OF two 6a"g ters
try, nineteen rsonths old. and
ily' f'N 1.on,hs rlC. AMI ris de-
~ Sc DtlCh ltollsS IO n'N
took 'irl away from the city Nth
out clay.
81 revcr had, any fear CT Wills.
! said Sharl-ey "T knew J ccnId beat
m t. he was made to observe the
:, am bappy t'-st Il 20 7 who
',.owc Y Is up as )mothi of an
over, te 9gLter. Now I want Tun-
roy / think I desc. We a chance at
title and I intend 70 keep after
= nev until get it."
ut wills Is not vet through with
1 the ring. or so he says.
II would ! he another chance with
She key" saic Wills vest, rdsy. "I
! ~ f-tht nv Foh' last night.
+, III: rs he Only excuse can offer. I
" We no alibis Bu' I feel can turn
: the ts bles IL Sna, boy will meet me
I, 1Pa'n I'm not going to retire. !
still have plenty of good fighting I'm
ne and maybe now IL won't be so
b 'rd for RE 20 get fellows to fight"
Wills check for the fight was sent
yesterday by Promoter Humbert Flu
,gazy to the State Athletic Commits.
SION In accordance with the rules OF
itbe Com mission which withho1da the
money of ati BOXERS diauua1iffod for