New Britain herald., 1928-10-17

Los Angeles, Oct. 17.-P-The half century mark has rolled by for some of the foremost ring champions of earlier days who make their homes here.
 But in the daily life of Los An geles and environs they actively ap- pear as shining examples of the fal- lacy of a popular belief that long ring career ruins q man mentally, physically and financially.
 Jess Willard, Jim Jeffries, Jack Root. Tommy Ryan and Solly smith. famous as champions in the rings of yore, have passed the fifty year mark. hut all stand. physically and financially. as refutations of that belief. Health and wealth are theirs and they can still tell the time of day."
 Perhaps the greatest example of them all is Tommy Ryan, who re- tired, with a record of more than a score of fighting years, as undefeat- ed welterweight and middleweight champions Tommy is 5S. He shows little evidence of the nearly 300 famous battles that he fought. Physically he appears 10 be perfect: mentally he is keen. He is a leading citizen of the movie suburb of Cul- yer City. Cal. and has made size able fortune.
 Big Jim Jeffries, who ruled the | O ci p,ks fought in the days of long battles and took punishment as it came. To- day he is somewhat affluent and at 53 is a real estate dealer-actor- getting kick out of life pleasing folks who lean toward vaudeville. Jeffrics' ring record dates from 1896 to 1910.
 As big as ever is Jess Willard, who dropped the heavyweight crown to Jack Dempsey back in 1919. Now living in Glendale. Cal. he has pros- pered in real estate, and seldom a day passes that he is not in his Hollywood office.
 In Jack Root, first ruler of the light-heavyweight division-it wak established for him back in 1911- is additional proof that it takes more than 50 years to put a ring champion into the physical discard Rich and dapper, Root, now 52, is such fine physical trim that he doubtless could step into the rine at 20 minutes notice and take or some of the best.
 Solly Smith, former worlds feath. erweight champion, is 51 and is do. ing nicely down Culver City way His ring career was one of hard battles, but the punishment he as. similated apparently failed tt "faze" him.
 Then there's George Dawson, wht came from Australia to make American boxing history. The for fner lightweight now residing in th' foothill city of Pasadena. is 61- hale and hearty and is enjoying If, to the full. Dawson is credited witt perfecting the kidney punch, whicf now is barred from boxing. , Debonair James J. Corbett, wht makes his home in Bayside, Lon, Island, but owns property in thu vicinity of Los Angeles and maker trips now and then westward. is a G2 probably one Of the best pre- served men of his agc to be fount anywhere. The former heavyweight champion says systematic eXercis and generous spreading of tn, 'Blarney" have served to keep hin youthful. Corbett. who ruled tn heavyweight division for five years was a great boxer. but with all hi skill he took his share of the hart knocks of the game. He is an acto now, and he never torgcts his lines
 There are others alive of the earl, ring days. They include Kid Mccoy 55. ranked by experts as the great es of the old time middlcwciChts; Jo Rivers. 36. great Mexican light weight, who is rrfereeing boyin, Louis: Billy Papke. 42. middleweigh of note from 1906 to 1913. who own ranch property near Pasadena ant has some money. and Jack Demp 5ey. retired. but not exactly poor"
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