The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-02-12
Sport World AgOg
As Heavyweight
Title May Move

NEW YORK Calvin service)
The sport world IS all agog as the
heavyweight champion title moves
toward a colored man After two
years of hectic jockeying back and
forth, most of the white scribes
now admit the possibility Of Joe
Louis being crowned fistic king,
which viii make the second Negro
in the history Of prize fighting to
hold this coveted honor.
strange Reactions
There are many strange reac-
lions among white writers as the
time actually draws near when it
is announced Champion James J.
Braddock and Joseph Louis Bar
row will face each other in the
squared circle Already have
come from unexpected sources long
prejudiced TRADES, which in sub
stance say Joe should not have the
championship chance; and that II
would be better for the Negro race
if he did not become champion.
On the other hand, it has been
shown quite clearly that Joe Is a
great money-maker, and when the
dollar is at stake, especially in
sums up in the hundred thousands
and eve nto million, color and
race prejudice, so far as the pro-
moters are concerned, go out the
window. That is what happened
in the latest moves, when it was
decided that Max Schmeling would
be side-stepped, in spite Of his con-
tract, and Braddock woulo sign to
meet Joe in Chicago in June.
Dope Upset
The amazing career of Louis has
been made more amazing by UNI
expected ''upsets7 of the dope"
First it came in June, last year,
when Max schmeling, who was not
given a chance against the Brown
Bomber, cut him down in the 18th
round, marking the first K.O. the
Detroit knockout sensation had
been given. Next it came again
two weeks ago when Bob Pastor
"out-ran" Joe and stayed the limit
of ten rounds at Madison Square
Garden.
But no sooner, in each instance,
had the dope been upset, that the
astute Joe management patched
things up so that not for long did
the headlines belabor their charge.
Joe started back on his K.O. car
eer with Jack Sharkey from Bos-
ton last September, and now. be-
fore the Pastor criticism is all
read, Champion James B. Brad
dock announces he will defy even
the courts to fight Joe for a half
million dollars.
VIII Joe Be Champion?
VIII Joe Louis become champ
ion of the world ? That is the ques-
ton that is burning up the public
at this moment. viii he gain the
championship this year? Any
where this question is asked whe-
Their in boxing circles or out, whe-
Their in a gymnasium or at bridge,
it is sure to start an argument
Negroes, generally, believe Joe can
beat James ]. Braddock, and be-
cause they think he can lick Brad
dock, they think he should be the
champion. Many white people be-
lieve, because Joe has had two set
backs, hat Braddock, who is a
plodding fighter and who is not
afraid, can do to Joe what Max
Schmeling did 10 him. And Joe's
exhibition with Pastor has served
only 10 increase the heat of the
arguments both for and against
him.
Pastor Rode Bike!
Many fair-minded white sports
writer's say the Louis-Pastor bout
was not a fair fight, and that Pas
tor rode a motorcycle, for which
Joe did not come prepared. On
the other hand, Joe did hit Pastor
but without doing any damage, so
again the defenders and critics
come to grips on the technics of
the game Some claim the cotton
over Pastors eyes was not even
mussed at the end of the tenth
round x4r,iIa loo erof q hloodxr ,,OSa