New Britain herald., 1928-03-13
R|SKO IS EASILY
 SHARkEY'S MASTER
But Slim Crowd Watches Elilni.
 nation Battle

{ ! sS~ ~~StAV
 New York, March 1s P-Nhat
 ever logic there was in Tex Rick
 ards campaign 10 produce a logica
 contender for Gene Tunney's title
 was swept out Of Madison Square
 Garden today by the cleaners along
 with whatever hopes Jack Sharkc>
 mad oi some time ruling the crown.
 Ing heights Of pugilism.
 Theoretically, Johnny Risko, the pudgy Austrian pretzel-twister, oi Cleveland, stands out today as the foremost challenger for the title the big marine won and defended in two vicious battles with the old man
 lmaulcr of Manassa, Jack Dempsey
 Almost on par with Risko stands
 Honest Tim Heeney, the plugging
 blacksmith of New Zealand.
 But there isn't an ounce of the 'color' the promoting impresario
 las searched for so industriously in
 either Risko or Heeney.
 Tho baker boy whipped Jack Sharkcy decisivcly in 15 rounds last night before the smallest crowd that ever saw an important heavyweight
 match hcre. Hccncy did little bet ter than d draw when he won q de- cision over Jack Delaney in the first ot the elinlina ton semi finals on
 March l.
 Just as Hceney's victory was a tame, colorless exhibition of what patient and painsta king endcavor, coupled with an iron construction can do 10 what little glamor Rick ard had left in the round robin, so Was l,lskos victory over Sharkcy q most unlntcrcStiny brawl that mere ly dragged everybody concerned into nodlocrity.
 Nevertheless, Eisko and Heoney stand today as the survivors of the tourney. hailed far and wide as a. last ditch effort 10 uncover Tunncy's June foe. But the real sufferer ap- pearod 10 be the promoter himself. who left the Garden last night with the hoos of the discouraged fans drumming in his cars while his mind roamcd 10 a s1000,o0o contract he holds with Tunney for his next title defense, For there appeared little probability that the crowd Of 10000 who paid hut s1oo, 900 10 see the doughnut maker knead Sharkey out Of shape would appear in sufficicn, quantities 10 watch either Rislo or Ilccncy do battle with the champion.
 From the opening round, the TO- tund shock absorber. d vcritablc i bal'oon-tlre Of a man. leapod and | plunged into Sharkey, belaboring him constantly with a left hook to ! the body that curlcd up from his . heels, Tho Boston sailor man boxed l his rival and still the left hook | zoomcd out from nowhere to smack ! nto It's mark. Sharkey worked in . he left arm, nailed both elbows 10 . his ribs and tried every defensive | rick Of the game, but still the left | hooking went on.
 In the end. that left hook. the sole cal offensive threat Risko carried, yon nine Of the 15 rounds. The 'hort right flush 10 the heart, shar- 1ey's best punch, coupled with eft hook of his own. won six heats or the Boston man, who just year go was considered the greatest of he younger heaNyNeishte.
 Epu1,5 ,,.i+l ,,o ion. the hsttlers stuck to tbelr fav- , rite styles and the fans vaNned fislo made his best showing in the eCond, eighth, ninth, tenth and thirteenth rounds when he hung his 'ft with equal abandon on Sl1ar- cN's ribs and chin In the tenth, harkey went down for q count of , our, but if was more of q slip than l rom tho effects of punches and he Ssured the refcrcc---althouGh no ! ody appeared really intorcstcd- | lat he was ''all right |
 While the fight left Ilccney and [ isko at the top of the contending cap. that part Of the elimination $ )urney was settled months ago in < etroit where Hecncy won q decision | yer Johnny that was as colorless as O rough it was part Of Richards [ "n program. f For the promoter thcrc appeared Il Ut one ray Of hope on the gloomy orizon. Jack Dempsey himself. Nlour Of he heavyweight situation 7 st year and the only man who ever \ sptred 2 S".hoo.o ooo gate, will re m to New York to settle several i' 'urt actions. He will discuss inc S' 'uatlon with 'he promoter and thc h an who made Jack 3 millionaire nj Inll;ted tonight that his pleas for 3 NJ cond come back on the part of inc q rllcr champion "ought to move d' iyonc's heart" hi For the time hain-. Eickard plans in
 match lteenev and Eisko. But
 frankly admits that his fingers M Q crossed, that there probably pl ,n't be any title fight in June after ia . and that if Tunncv does defend 10 5 crown this year Jack Dempsey in 1st be in the other Corner.'
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