Evening star., 1938-04-12
COMEBACK SCARS
STOCK Of ABRAMS
Jones, Revenge Victim, Vet
Promoter See Lustrous
Future for George.
By BURTON HAWKINS

Jimmy Jones, Baltimore middle
weight who takes his fights as casually
as F. D. r. requests another million
from Congress, and Lou Diamond, a
veteran New York fistic landmark who
makes it his business to distinguish
ring prospects from chaff, today en-
Enthusiastically indorsed George Abrams,
local 160-pounder, as likely ring tim
ber.
Jones, who regards his next fight
in somewhat the same light as he
awaits his next meal, speaks from ex-
perience. having been the victim Of
Georges comeback last night at
Turner's Arena. He praised the Jew
sh lads courage, the result, no doubt,
OF seeing Abrams refuse to wilt under
blows below the equator in winning an
unanimous decision in the eight-round
bout.
Diamond rates George the finest
middleWeight prospect in the Nation,
but qualities that by pointing out sew
eral weaknesses in Abrams ring reper-
tore which must be ironed out before
the local lad can hope to create stir
IN 1lstlana's upper crust He heartily
condemns the policy of matching him
against veterans Of Jones ability, how
ever, feeling George should be schooled
further before launching a quest for
more lucrative bouts.
Friend Not So Sure.
Another observer, friend Of
Abrams. is more conservative in his
estimation of Washington's current
ring favorite. Chiefly responsible for
the lack of enthusiasm is Georges
lack Of chilling punch, coupled with
several minor and more technical
shortcomings.
The l9-year-old Abrams. with l9
professional engagements behind him,
still is in the first stages of fistic de-
Velopment. There are dozens of mid
dleweights who could slap him silly.
and meeting fighters of Jones expert
ence hardly figures to remedy his
flaws. Forced to travel at top speed,
Abrams can't gamble on experiment-
ing. His stamina is being tested too
severely, probably because it can be
turned into ready cash.
He Is at least two years away from
top-fight competition, but at his pres
ent pace he'll never approach the bows
up there for the simple reason he'll be
burned out when he should be ready
to make his break.
Furr Might Be Matched.
There is sneaking suspicion George
never will be able to smooth those
rough spots. Matchmaker Goldie
Ahearn already is planning to pit him
against Phil Furr at Griffith Stadium
this summer and. while Phil Is no
screaming sensation, neither is he an
advisable opponent for a 19-year-old
boy. George might win, but in so do
ing is certain to be sapped OF staying
power.
Against fighter of Furr's caliber
there is little opportunity to absorb
knowledge unless painfully admins
tered. Meeting veterans who have sc.
Quilted themselves rather nobly against
champions isn't fair to q kid who
may have future if handled cor
rectly. But he has been adjudged
promising by rinewise veterans-so
they'll see just how promising he is
by witnessing his performances against
good fighters when he should be de-
veloplng against mediocre mittmen.
Crafty but Hit Hard.
George handled himself nicely
against the wild-swinging Jones, but
was smacked more solidly than is
healthy for him at his stage of the
game. He won five of eight rounds.
holding Jimmy even in two others,
while avoiding the right that dealt
him his only professional defeat three
weeks ago.
Abrams employed a short right up
percut effectively when he managed
to maneuver in close, but the square,
jawed Jones smiled unconcernedly at
blows landing flush on his chin. Only
in the seventh round did George alter
Jimmy's features, Furnishing him with
both hands to the head as Jones tired,
Johnny Dubie, New York light
weight, outpointed Ray Ingram in an
eight-round semi-final, while a six.
rounder saw Carl Dell trim Joe Reno,
Camden welterweight. Buddy Thomas,
local middleweight, trounced Rusty
Baker in the opening four -rounder.