Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-06-21
Godfrey Looms as Americas Pugilistic Hope

New York June-(By The AS
ISOLATED Negro Press)-With the
decisive defeat at Detroit Thurs
dav night, via the knockout route
of K. o. Christner, the Akron
heavyweight, by the carniverous
Camera, Italy's man-mountaln
aspirant for the highest honors in
the pugilistic world, it became ap-
parent that in the place of the
Statue of Liberty it might become
necessary for America to erect a
pedestal at the entrance to New
York wherein would be placed the
figure of one George Godfrey chal-
longing all foreign challengers Of
the fistic supremacy of the Land
of the free and the home OF the
brave"
Cameras fourth-round knock
out of Christner was the eight
zenith of his American mvaslons
and it was accomplishment ore 49,
600 spectators who agreed that
Christner gave all that was in him.
His all was not enough. The giant
Italian took a couple of rounds to
solve Christner's style and to learn
how to defend his bread basket.
Then he waded in the final round
to end the evenings ceremonies.
The Chrstner bout had been
hailed by the country's press as
sort of real test for Camera. Most
of his other bouts, it was said, had
been against hams, set-ups, and
gladiators who were willing TO
take a dive if sufficient cash IN
ducement were offered.
But it was claimed that Christ
ner was not ham, a set-up, or d
diver, and that if Camera got by
him, ne would establish himself as
prize6ghter.
Well, Camera got by, and the
so-called big guys of the hstlc
game who have been making Jun
of him and holding themselves IN
a class above him, now must real
ize that the Big Fellow is knocking
at their door and they will soon
have to answer. -,
Cameras next fight is with
George Godfrey, the Leopard OF
I.epervlle, Pa. The fight IS to os
staged in Philadelphia. Godfrey
can get few fights with any of the
native sons, but is now to be USED
as an emergency wheel horse to
test out this foreign invader.
1t is probable that Camera
doesn't relish this next dish which
is being served to him on June %.
His luck against colored battlers
hasn't been any of the best. Bom6o
Chevalier, out in California, was
giving the Italian gentleman plen-
ty of trouble, until he received di-
rect orders to lay off. One colored
fighter told of receiving a high
cash offer to do the aquatic stunt,
In Philadelphia once before the
signer received five-round
thrashing before he disposed OF
his colored opponent in the sixth
round.
In meeting Godfrey is tackling
the toughest of the tough. There
is little disposition to dispute the
claim that Godfrey, though bit
past his PRIME, is the best tghter
in the world today. He weighs
24O, almos as much as Camera 5
265 pounds, and is the fastest OF
the heavyweights. -
Godfrey's best friends, however,
have always been afraid that ne is
too kindly as fighter. He seems
to lack the killer instinct, and it is
said that a rough man can whisper
in his ear and fright0 him. The
outcome of his fight with Camera
will probably depend upon whether
he enters il with the determination
Of whipping Camera or just mild
ly hopeful that he can keep rom
being whipped.
At any rate, judged by the pres
ent stock of heavyweights, Shar-
KEY included, Godfrey looks like
the only factor between Camera
and the pugilistic conquest of the
grand old U. S. A.