The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-12-31

thru
the sport mirror
by RUSS J. C0wANs

II Henry Armstrong is quoted
right by the West Coast sport
scribes. then Hammerin' Henry Is
guilty OF betraying The confidence
the public has reposcd in him. and
at the same time. violating one OF
the cardinal rules of an athletes
keep in condition.
According to press reports. Hen
ry told reporters IN California that
he Intentionally injured his back
prior 10 the Garcia bout so that the
championship battle could he post
poned and give him more time TO
GET ready for the defense of his
title.
The public has given it's support
to Henry because they've always
labored under the impression that
the little double champion will al
ways give his best. Acknowledge
ment by Hammerin' Henry that he
needed more time. and then per-
pciraied cheap trick on the pub
lie. does not sit so we'll on John
Phans shoulders.
Henry should realize by now
that a fighter must remain close to
the line OF good condition II he
wants to remain in the good graces
Of the fans. A large number OF
good ring prospects have had their
careers blighied because OF failure
to attend TO this serions matter.
So. Henry take warning.
Editor Nat Flcisher. OF The Ring
magazine. comes out boldly and
states in no uncertain terms that
Joe Louis Is The outstanding mem
her Of The cauliflower industry. Mr..
Fleishcr arrives al this conclusion
following an exhaustive examina-
iion Of The records OF The thousands
OF fighters throughout the width
and breath Of the land.
This selection OF Louis ny Editor
Fleishcr will not sit so lightly on
the shoulders of some close ohser-
verS OF tho hoax busting craft. This
set OF disgruniled dissenters had
already selected Henry Armstrong.
winner OF three division champion
ships within a period OF twelve
months. as the fighter who should
be rated as The top of the heap.
But Editor Fleisher made abor-
Tive these efforts by charging that
Louis was head and shoulders
above everyone in the craft. In fact.
according 10 Editor Flcisher Louis
was SO far out in front that he
has no serious challengers.
Editor Fleisher IL ~ the opinion
that Louis stunning defeat OF Max
Schmcling last June was tho out
standing achievement In the field Of
puRilIsn This. according IN Editor
Fleisher. surpaeses the remarkable
feat accomplished by Armstrong
winning the three titles.
While Editor Flcisher was toss
ing an accolade at Louis he tailed
10 mention Dave Clark among the
ranking 10 light-heavywcighte.
John Henry Lewis. while rated
sixth among the heavyweichts by
Editor Fleisher was also raicd as
The crown holder In The lighter
class. Tiger Jack Fox was rated as
the number one challenger Al
Gamer was rated seventh.
Clark was given sixth place
among the challcngers for the
crown worn by John Henry lows
ny the rating committee OF the Ma
lional Boxing association. re-
lease which was given out to The
public pint two weeks ago.
Holman Williams was listed as
among The first 10 welterweighls
hy The National Boxing association
rating committee. Williams was not
rated by Editor Fleisher in his
magazine article which appears in
the February Issue Of Ring. Henry
Armstrong was put in the top berth
in both the weIierweight and light
weight divisions,
rhalky Wright was rated sixth
among the feaiherweightS by The
Ring. Wright was not listed by tho
National Boxing association rating
committee. George Pace is given
fourth challenging position by The