Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13
TRICK CHAMPION
TO TAKE It EASY
Sport World Is SkeptIoal of
Something's Reason for
Delaying Bout.
BY SPARROW MeGANN.

n YEW YORK, July 12.-Announce-
nj ment from Germany this week
| Y that Max Schmeling would not
enter the ring in defense Of his
heavyweight title in some months, did
not surprise those who follow pugilistic
affairs closely. Nor did the explanation
for this decision, which was embodied
in an official medical opinion by q
Berlin doctor, that an artery in the
world champions groin had been badly
injured by Sharkey's blow.
Every one who knows anything at all
about the strategy of the ring game Is
wondering that the report did not 60
farther and state that Makes vermi-
form appendix had been knocked clean
up into his throat.
Champions, as a rule, are never in
any hurry to risk their titles, but in
Something's case the peculiar way in
which he won the title was regarded
throughout the world of sport as making
it incumbent upon him to meet Sharkey
again and prove, II he had 1t in him to
champion Of champions by virtue Of
foul blow.
AS the situation stands, Max will
have plenty OF time to appear in exhi-
billions and strut about generally, reap
ing the coin of the fans without en-
dangering either his face or his repu-
tation.
Situation Status Quo.
This brings us to that demonstration
Of the efficacy of protectors at the show
put on before the New York Boxing
Commission, at which Shrimps of men,
ua nf
permitted husky individuals not only TO
strike them but to kick them-actually
kick And no injury resulted. No one
seems to have thought to ask what sort
Of protector Schmeling was wearing the
night Of the big fight, or If, indeed, ne
was wearing any.
So the heavyweight situation will
stand for some time in the well known
and justly celebrated status quo. Which
means there will be nothing doing. AS
a matter of fact, things in this division
are at even lower ebb than they were
when Jack johnson was champion and
white hopes" were appearing with no
claim to fame other than that they
were white.
The supply was bad enough then,
but it is worse now. Schmeling, the
champion, holds his title by virtue of
foul punch, the first heavyweight in
history to win the worlds champion
ship while on his back. Sharkey is q
but packing nothing terrific in the way
Of wallop.
Primo Lightly Regarded.
And after you have named him, who
else is there? Primo Camera? Well,
Primo has been so badly handled and
advised that no one respects him as a
sincere contender for the crown.
Shutting ones eyes to his fistic ex-
there are, nothing more may be said
of him than that he is not too far
above the pork and bean class. George
Godfrey, the Negro, has gone back and
is no longer seriously considered. And
he completes the list of heavyweights
who stand out In any respectable way.
AS for Schmeling, he may or may not
be worthy champion. The fight with
Sharkey went far enough for him to
show that he could Withstand punish
ment and this led some critics to as
sert that he would have gone on for
is rounds taking all Sharkey could
send and finally wearing him down.
Perhaps, but the fact remains that
Sharkey certainly was not firing when
the fight ended, that he was hitting
the challenger pretty freely and was
| himself free OF punishment save a
mildly cracked lip, which resulted from
swing.
The time will come when Schmeling
will have to do battle for his title, and
his opponent undoubtedly will be the
wild hitting Lithuanian.
Someone may bring up Young Strib-
ling. Well, Strib would be a prospect
| if he made a business of real fighting
instead of shoWmanship. He is not
much above 100 pounds, to be sure,
but Jack Dempsey was no heavier at
Toledo when he beat Willard. The
Georgian can fight, but there is no
prospect that he will so conduct him
self as to line up for worlds heavy
honors.
AS for Campolo-well, maybe.