The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-09-10
Today's Sports
Parade
BY HENRY McLEMORE

NOMSSu GEVSS 0Ghh NUrEeSpOuuSuCI
London, Sept. 10-With the sign
ing of John Henry Lewis to defend
his light heavyweight pardon,
Observation-Disclosures of the
world against Len Harvey here In
cary November, the English box
ing writer's began scorching their
ypewriters turning out blasts against
the mo foul" rule which operates
in the United States.
Obviously afraid that the British
board of boxing control might de-
eide to have the Lewis Harvey fight
governed by Jim Farley's "any-
thing goes" law, critics assailed 1t
as a menace which threatened not
only boxing but the divine right Of
kings, London bridge and the crown
jewels. The fact that only a few of
them had ever seen the law in OPP
Grafton, did not hinder them from
painting the CORY effect.
Nice People
After reading a column of their
soaring remarks, an American critic
could not help but come to the
conclusion that in Britain, Ameri-
can boxers are considered rascals
who spend their entire time In the
ring striking at the out-of-bounds
area. One commentator went so far
as to say our boxers from the sound
Of the opening gong struck out with
low blows and that the winner al
ways was the man who could with
stand the most brutal punishment.
This, Of course, Is most unique.
The mo foul" rule was passed
only when the scourge Of fouls
threatened to end the sport for good
and all. England is still afflicted
with the foul plague. Fully one
half of the bouts in London end
with one of the combatants grovel-
Ing on the canves claiming victory
because of a punch in the rough.
Every English fighter who enters
the ring is a potential Phil Scott,
which means he is ready to do
swan dive as soon as struck any
place as vulnerable as the elbow.
John Henry Lewis had better be
most careful when fighting Harvey
for the title here. Not that Harvey
himself can do him any harm. Len,
when all is said and done, is not
much of q fighter. Unless my men,
ory betrays me, he was beaten in
New York several times, once by
Ben Jeby, Just an ordinary sort Of
middleweight. Harvey has been
beaten by Jack Petersen, too, and
licking by Petersen Is positive
proof taht you have no business
walking around the streets at night
without an escort.
Two Strikes
All Lewis has to fear is a blow
and one struck by himself. Unless
he concentrates his attack on Har-
vey's head, he Is likely to lose his
title because of low blows. British
judges have a habit Of calling a foul
punch which lands south Of the
esophagus.
Critics here are inclined to make
Harvey the favorite. They think his
experience will enable him to be-
wilder the American negro. My
opinion is that there Is limit to
the value Of experience. Harvey has
been fighting almost since the days
when the fleet sailed out to repulse
the Spanish Armada, and to say he
Is slightly shopworn Is putting 1t
mildly. In fact he, himself, admitted
he was done as a fighter q few
months ago when he announced he
was hanging up his gloves to &C.
cept O Job as matchmaker OF
Wembley stadium.
The Lewis-Harvey fight will be
held In this same Wembley. And
who do you think made the match?
Nc" other than dead old Len Har-
vey. without a blush on his face,
he went right ahead ard promoted
himself out of retirement and into
match for the world champion
ship. He'll get a two-way cut at
the gate. There is only one explana-
tion--his mother was frightened by
Jimmy Johnston Of Madison Square
garden.
copyright 1895 by United Press.