Evening star., 1938-06-05
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.


NEW YORK, June 4.-Maximilian
Otto Siegfried Schmeling, the German
with pugiiistic purpose, not only
Is well informed on the history Of
the prize ring, but plans to add q
brand-new chapter to it on the eve
ming Of June %, when he faces the
dusky champion. Joe Louis, in the
most widely discussed match for the
world heavyweight title since Gene
Tunney retired 10 years ago.
Schmeling plans to become the first
fighter to regain the heavyweight
crown, which he originally won by
official New York edict, on a foul, in q
1880 match with Jack Sharkey to de-
eide Tunneys successor and lost, in
1882, to the same antagonist.
The German, as every one knows,
knocked out Louis in IL rounds Just
two years ago and on the spot chosen
for their return match. The Negro
was not the champion then. Jim
Braddock wore the crown and Schmel-
ing figured to get the first crack at 1t.
But subsequent maneuvers led to the
title shot for Louis, who knocked out
Braddock at Chicago last June.
Both Methodical Fighters.
Now, at long last. Schmeling is
within sight of the objective for which
he had methodically and patiently pre-
pared himself. The German is a diff
cult man to discourage. 1t remains to
be seen whether the combination of
fistic precedent and Louis, a methodi-
cal and more experienced fighting man
himself. can keep Max from achieving
his goal.
Schmeling will be the fifth ex-
champion to take shot at the ulti-
mate come back target.
Jim Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim
Jeffries and Jack Dempsey quar-
tet of the all-time greatest-made the
attempt and failed.
Big JEFF, in his prime, turned back
Corbett's challenges twice and Fitz-
simmons once, only to be stopped
himself when he essayed a comeback
against Jack johnson in 1910, five
years after retiring from the ring.
Dempsey came close to achieving
the unprecedented in 1927 against
Gene Tunney, but the famous long
count" at Chicago frustrated his bid.
Battle Has Experts Cautious.
Barring accidents, it is unlikely
anything that happens between now
and June ~ in the rival training
camps will affect the natural ele-
camps will affect the "aturap' ele-
and Louis. Their match requires no
artificial build up" They are not
only the absolute class of the current
heavyweight crop, but also the best
pair the fistic business has produced
since the Dempsey-Tunney days.
II the fight does not draw gate
receipts of 100000 it will chiefly
be due to the high tariff $3.50 ring
side) and the fact that times are
tough for the cash customers.
There's also the threat Of an anti
Nad boycott. Schmeling's name was
roundly booed by the shivering crowd
that waited to see Henry Armstrong
take Barney Ross apart the other
night in the Madison Square Garden
bowl. It may or may not have been
significant.
Anyway the advance sale, now in
excess of $250,o0o, has offset some
Of the worries Of Promoter Michael
Strauss Jacobs.
From all angles the fight involves
an international argument that has
fans sharply divided and the experts
more cautious than they have been
in years.
Schmeling's Recovery Notable.
You can start q debate anywhere,
ON Main street or Broadway. As 10
ta) whether schmeling, AftG two