The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-28
l ALKING
IT Over
by JOE WILLIAMS

NEW YORK, July 28.-This isn't
IN an easy story to write. mean
1t is somewhat incredible. Profess
sor Will Gibson is writing q book.
I came across him in the hills OF
Westminster Monday. There he was,
sitting under spreading oak nib
bling the end Of pencil and look
ing searchingly into space.
He greeted me apologetically. I'm one
Of you guys now" he explained. I'm
writer" thanked him for the courtesy
and asked him what he was writing. MY
biology" he answered. "A syndicate feller
came up here the other day and said he
could sell 1t. bet him he couldn't. I Just
want to prove that he is wrong"
1t was plain that the professor had got
biology and autobiography confused. But
then he always was a gentleman who liked
to scramble words. and mostly Just for
laughs. I think he was the individual
who christened Dudley Field Malone. Dead
~ Fumes Malone when the distinguished
harrister FIRST Joined out with Tunney.
The professor ought to be able TO turn
out grand story at that. 1t all depends
On what he says, or rather how much he
wants to say. He has been around long
time. little too long. perhaps. for the
younger generation. He had two great
champions--Leonard and Tunney.
If he restricts himself to a conventional
recital Of their ring exploits the story will
not be very hot. but If he goes behind
the scenes and depicts the sinister
manipulations which are inevitable in the
success of any champion-even a great
champion-it will make fascinating read
Ing.
tim going to start out with my
Il days at the old Paramount
Club" says the professor, "and work
up to Tunney, and the Tunney stuff
will be the kick" There was a pause
here. 1t seemed significant. you
know Tunney and I have split out
don't you?" he added.
hadn't. It didn't seem important
Tunney is no longer a fighter. and a split
out between nou-hghting champion and
a manager did not appear to be news.
AS the professor sat there with poised
pencil and writing pad there seemed
threat Of impending trouble. Hasn't 1t
been written that hell hath no fury like
manager deprived of his meal ticket, Or
an I thinking Of serpent's teeth?
1t occurred to me that possibly the pro-
fessor was meditating over that mysterious
contract signed a few hours before Tunney
stepped into the ring to fight Dempsey for
the championship in Philadelphia. the
precise details of which have never been
disclosed.
The, party OF the second part was Boo
Zoo Hoff. who was to Philadelphia at the
time what Capone is to Chicago and in the
same sense of power. what Mussolini is to
Italy
BY the terms OF the contract Boo Boo
was to receive a monetary interest in
Tunney's future fights. AS I understand
it the gentleman has yet to receive
dime-and they tell me a dime is big
money these days. At later date Boo
Boo instigated legal action but upon re-
Election decided not to press the suit.
which would seem to indicate that he had
no faith in his claim.
Nevertheless the whole affair was quite
battling to the puritans OF sport and II
the professor elects to present the
document and the purposes thereof in its
true light am sure it will be read with
interest. have been told that this con-
tract, whatever its intent, originated
wholly in the mind of the Professor.
although the facts are that it is signed
not only by the Professor and Boo Boo but
by Tunney who chose. possibly by way OF
being unique. to sign his name as Eugene
Tunney,
r mike a number of evil-minded
" critics have never held to the
suspicion that this piece Of paper
was contrived to serve base or
corrupt end.
Stiu the professor has always been
highly conservative in public and it isn't
likely he will write anything that will
embarrasS anybody. including himself.
I also am anxious to see how he treats
the subject Of Leonard and the light
weight title. There are a lot Of people |
who will tell you Leonard was never
lightweight as to pounds and that he was
Unanswered into more than one cham
ponship match at the scale figure through |
the ingenuity OF the professor.
I am sure it would be most interesting
for future managers In similar predica-
ments to know how to take welterweight
and sell him year after year as light
weigh. trick which surely must reach
far beyond and much higher than the
simple business of juggling the scales
But the chances are the professor will
not be disposed to go very deeply into
this. That's the trouble with the auto
biographies Of great men. Very seldom do
they tell you what you want to know.
And Of great women. too. I read Peggy
Joyces and still have only a vague idea
OF the ladys technique.
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