The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-07


championship means everything to
me" his big frame shook with emo
ton and strong men were seen fur
lively to dab their eyes.
THIS was indeed very different
l. Schmeling from the one Amer
lea knew several years ago. For the
old Schmeling the promoters always
had TO get it on the line, and in
piles. And once the old Schmeling
got the dough in MS hands it stayed
there. A report he was once seen
to pick up check in night club
was later proved to be the invention
of an inspired publicist. Even his
manager was paid off in what man
ayers of American fighters would
consider the equivalent of slightly
used salutes and leftover gutterals.
So 1t Is indeed a new and diff
ferent Schmeling who is now on our
shores. 1t is possible only to specu-
late as to what contrived the ire
mendous metamorphosis. It may be
of every man when he concludes
that money isn't everything-and
certainly not to be compared to the
fine soul satisfaction that springs
from an accomplishment worth
while.
TT has been suggested that
l. Schmeling should meet Joe Louis
first. AS matter of fact the boxing
commissioners insist he must. This
seems to me grossly unfair to the
poetic instincts of the German
fighter whose sole interest lies in
winning back the heavyweight
championship of the world.
Likewise the implication that he
seeks to sidestep Louis in order to
take on supposedly softer touch in
the champion is thought that
could have been born only in the
minds of ruthless skeptics. I wish
the Herr to know that I for one do
not subscribe to such vile meanneSs
And to add, further, that 1 am COM
pletely captivated by his determine
ton to make prize fighting a sport
ing business instead of sordid
commercial enterprise.
BY way of silencing these brutal
heathens of sport l suggest that
Schmeling meet Louis in a private
fight with no purse at stake, beat
him and then compel Braddock to
give him the chance he so fervently
desires-the chance to win back that
precious title. He could emphasize
the romantic nature of the adven-
ture by fighting Braddock for
nothing, too. This I believe would
force the non believers to shut their
vulgar traps for once and forever.
T AM afraid, however, that this
l. idealistic program will never be
consummated. Such box-office re-
alists as Jimmy Johnston and Mike
Jacobs would oppose it every turn.
If Schmeling has changed, the
commercial pattern of the sport has
not. This will be a dismal dis
illusionment to the German, but
I'm afraid he will have to make the
best OF 1t. Much as he ScorrS money
these days, he'll have to take it.
I'm afraid. too, the young man
will never get chance to fulfill
his great ambition. Even If money
doesn't interest him, it is unlikely
he will be permitted to face Brad
dock until he has first met the De-
troit Negro. After that I hardly
think he will have any further in
terest in the prize fight racket. 1t
so happens that Schmeling appears
to be tailored to taste for the sharp
shooting Louis.
Unless Schmeling has altered his
technique he is not difficult tar
get. Even the wild-Swinging Baer
knocked him w-legged-and the
only time Baer hit Louis was after
the bell and the Negro had dropped
his guard. 1t is true Baer didn't
try to hit him until then, but there
is solid room to doubt that he ever
could.
A FIGHT between Schmeling and
L N Louis would be interesting for
all OF that, because he is a puncher,
or at least he used to be. I still
have thrilling memories of the night
C-cz nsl