Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-11

ClNCE Schmellng d I t d
Stribling and is pretty gen
~ orally recognized as heavy
weight champion of the
world, a story has been widely
borne on the wings of rumor to
the effect that Gene Tunney
might return to the ring for one
more bout. Gene Tunney, and he
should kow, says it's nonsense.
1t is easy to see how such a story
started and persists. The retired cham
pion is young man, probably at the
very height Of his physical power. He
has had the good sense and energy TO
keep himself trim and fit. It is too bad
that many Of us don't pay more attsn-
ton to keeping in bodily shape
Schmeling may be on his way to be-
coming a great fighter. but today he is
merely the best of the present crop.
We cannot even say that with certainty
until he meets Sharkey again. Gene
Tunney was a great fighter. and don't
let anybody fool you about that, and
would naturally have been even a
Judges of style say that Schmeling
would have been made to order for him.
Fans Bound to Talk
1t is natural. therefore, that many
persons should say 10 Gene Tunney
that it is too bad that Schmeling didn't
come forward before the former cham
pion retired; that they should main
tain that Max is a sucker for good
1pf ha no of
hand in the game; an educated. stun
ming, cutting left, which had the ac-
curacy of a markman's bullet.
1t is natural that persons should talk
of how much such a bout might draw:
of bringing the championship back TO
the United States: or how some worthy
charity might benefit fro n such bout;
of many things. And it would be nat
ural that a stout, active youngster would
be influenced by such talk
But Gene Tunney always has been
characterized TO me by that famous
line in Seventh Heaven" He is "a
very remarkable fella" A wise man
said that the world will stand aside for
the man who knows where he is going
Gene Tunrey always has known where
he was going. The heavyweight cham
piOnship to him never was an end: it
only was a means to things he desired.
like an outgroWn suit of clothes. Some
BODY else was welcome to it. and it
made no difference whether he hap
pened to be German, Lithuanian.
Italian or Spanish. The chances were
that the United States could somehow
get along irrespective Of the geographic
cal situation of the heavyweight cham
pionship.
Interest Only Passive.
Gene Tunney probably will always be
actively interested in boxing but his
interest in prize fighting is passive in
the extreme. In answer 10 question
as TO whether sitting at ringside. he
ever felt the natural desire to step into
the ring, the same impulse that a
former foot ball player often has TO get
cut on the field. he answered:
desire"
well. I can understand that you
don't want to re-enter what has come
to be a racket But don't you ever feel
that you would like to get that fellow
out behind the barn and put on the
gloves with him?"
Not even that" he said.
And why should Gene Tunney want
to get back in a ring? He has money,
youth ard as fine a circle of friends as
any man in the world. Health. wealth
and happiness and years to enjoy
them-what more can a man ask?
Gene Tunney proved several things.
One of the most striking was that a
man can love art. music, literature and
travel without weakening his heart.
softering his chin or reducing the bat
tering power of his fists.
Mentally, Gene Tunney has become
all erudite man; physically, he is still
a tough baby Personally, he is an
intensely likeabla, handsome and at
tractive youngster. And he may be
through with the ring. but he is a long
way from through with life.
THERE are probably a number of
i reasons for the Schmeline- Carnera
bout. scheduled for September.
Schmeling now should be a good draw
ing card and Camera always has been
a good drawing card. Moreover. many
will wish to see just how good the big
Italian really is against a hitter who
is in there trying Sharkey would have
been the logical opponent for Max, but
Sharkey has tied himself up with
Mickey Walk r. If he wins that match,
the Boston sailor still Will be drawing
card for next June
Thu aStute Joe Jacobs probably fig
ures that Camera will not be AS dan
cerous as Starkoy right now and that
while Camera might improve in a year,
the chances are that Sharkey may not
be quite so good He is therefore taking
them in the logical order.
IT is surprising how many persons
i believe that Mickey Walker can give
Sharkev weight reach and height
end beat him On general form. Sharkey
should stop Walker in a few rounds.
but Mickey has some red hot admirers
who foure that he is one of those
great little men who come along once
in while to beat big men
There is enou7h discussion over the
outcome to make the bout a fine finan-
cial prospect.
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Newspaper Alliance, IncD
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