The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-18
TALKING
IT OVER
BY JOE WILLIAMS.

IN from the outlying districts
indicate that Joe Jacobs is having
. bit Of trouble selling Herr Marx
Schmeling to the natives. From
what I hear the trip across the
continent is yielding neither the
anticipated good will nor the
dough. And what is more, Jacobs
himself does not seem to be Great
ing an altogether flattering impress
sion as a talented Snowman.
A promoter in the southwest,
whom I happen to know, is not only
a responsible young man, but Is not
addicted to exaggerations, writes
this department as follows:
Some six weeks ago my associate and
myself received an offer from Jacobs to
book his champion for four Texas appear
ances--in Houston. san Antonio. IT. Worth
and Dallas.
I'VE had Dempsey and his press man.
sacks. down here in January for FIVE dates
and hacked them in everywhere-partiy
because Dempsey and his man co-operated
enthusiastically In the publicity teups'
We naturally figured Jacobs. of whom We
writings. would be enough Of Snowman
to help us draw them through the Turn
stiles
well. when schmsling and Jacobs and
the remaining four members Of their en-
tourage reached the state we told them we
needed their help in drawing the crowd
For oue thing we'd like to have Schneiing
say a few words over the radio in the
L.I I'D
Nothing doing said Jacobs. We are
down here either to box for YOU or referee.
Wen appear at the shows. that's all.
This was surprising enough consider
Ing the little effort IL involved, brt worse
vet. Jacobs backed out on contract he
bad With US in San Antonio and Houston,
~ which schmeling was to box three
round exhibition with ore of his travelling
sp7r-'ng partners and then referee the
main bout
"Accordrgl7. the German was advertised
20 appear both IS q boxer and referee
but each night jacobs. after looking over
The crowd Inc had signed for S1100 guar
ertce or - per cent Of the receipss) can
celied the arrangement. 'Schneling viii
box or referee he said. but he will not do
both'.
weeks before Dempsey had drawn more
THAI 1O,Oc1 persons Just referee.
Jacobs had heard about that and probably
figured his champion would go over big
th5re. too. So on the way over he volun
tariiy offered Sohmeling's services both as
q boxer ard a referee.
1T so happened the German was any
thing but drawing card in Dallas. When
he stepped into the ring the customers
booed BIN boiste-ously. though / though.
this was unfair. There was only $500 in
the house. whereas Dempsey. no longer
champion. and acting merely as the third
man In the ring had attracted $4,000.
Jacobs was disposed to blame US be-
cause the FOLKS didn't break down the
doors to see his champion. tried to tell
him u wasn't our fault. that his man
lust didn't seem TO be regarded real
champion down here. and that the show
had received as much publicity as the one
in which Dempsey had appeared.
Wen said Jacobs we don't box and
referos 18th tonight. We do one or the
other Name it,
"8v this time We we're trihe dis
arro.ntsd in Jacobs as q business man and
th- lack Of interest in his champion so
after the show we paid him of and told
him 10 get plumb out of our state and
stay OFT. We told him to take his cham
pion with him too. We don't think wen
try 10 entertain any more of your heavy
wcigat champions until you can develop
another Dempsey or something mighty
close to him. Just to have that monkey
around is fun even If we never make
dime.-Zeke Handler. Fl. Worth, Tex"
4 AM surprised to hear Jacobs is
4 going around the country snap
ping and growing at promoters who
seek to line his pockets with gold. 1
thought I had taught him better
than that. Of course, Schmeling
isn't Dempsey, and never will be.
The background isn't there. Demp-
sey is the most tremendous figure
the ring has developed since John
L. Sullivans time AS long as he
lives he will command a following.
There is nothing extraordinary about
Dempsey. ex-champion drawing $4,000
pion. draws $4,000 houses The customers
are paving tribute to one Of the. greatest
fighters Of all time when they turn out
FOR DEMPSEY. Schmeling has vet to prove
that he is a fighter. let alone champion.
Indeed. S3,o0O gates in Dallas for him are
fattering.
Il u
remember that Dempsey as an exhibit
Zionist was no great box office draw during
his early championship days. 1 attended
one of his matinee performances a month
or SO after the Willard victory and there
were exactly i16 paid customers in the
theater. despite the fact that the leading
soubrette and the six shimmy shebas were
red hot stuff
Besides. nv personal feeling is that any
body who will pay n much as two bits to
sec any fighter in an exhibition Is Junk
bead. dumb rooster and poor Judge of