Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-06-16

ing through the motions of training
but it is only to keep themselves on
edge They cannot improve their
condition nor learn anything they
do not already know.
Moreover each has outlined his
opening plan, the strategy upon which
he will depend when the bell rings.
The difference here is that Schmel-
ing can go into the ring with ten
tative plan and can change his tao
tics as the fight wears on; but Louis
is stuck with whatever plan he has
at the outset. He cannot change, be-
cause he cannot think in action.
Louis trainers know his limita-
tons well enough to realize they
must guess at the right plan, just drill
their fighter in that plan and stay
with it throughout the fight. They
know that any radically new advice
from the corner or any attempt on
Louis part to work out new tactics
after the fight has started would be
fatal to their man. He would be-
come confused and ineffective, and
alert, resourceful Max Schmeling
would throw him into panic while
Joe was going through the laborious
process of changing his mind.
Generalship, the ability to think
under pressure, a thorough knowl-
edge of what to do during moments
when the fight is going against him,
thickness which enables him to con-
ceal his real intentions, gift for
bluffing and feinting these are the
factors upon which Schmeling must
depend against an opponent who is
bigger, stronger, faster and heavier
handed.
1t is the keenest fighting brain we
have had since Gene Tunney against
the most destructive fighting machine
we have ever had.
1t is reasonable to call Louis the
most destructive fighting machine of
all time. He has his defensive weak
nesses. He can be hurt and flustered;
but no heavyweight ever lived who
can hit so hard and fast and accur-
ately with such variety of left hand
and right hand punches as this reign
ing champion. Beyond any doubt
he is the heavyweight divisions great
est hitter.
But many believe he is dangerous
on attack only when he is ahead
He might be able to take one stiff
punch, to be hurt just little bit,
and to keep his attacking machinery
in good working order. He did that
when Jim Braddock knocked him
down in the first round last summer;
but can he keep his poise when he
is hurt and then quickly hurt again?
You will find many sound judges
of boxing who believe Louis must be
out in front or, at least, not very far
behind. They do not believe he can
fight really tough uphill fight.
Maybe he won't have to. These
same boxing men who doubt Louis
ability to fight uphill admit the pos
sibility that he may start on top
and stay on top and batter Schmel-
ing into defeat without too much
damaging give and take.
Well, there is no sure way to fore
cast the fight. 1t is strictly true to
say, anything can happen"
If Something's smartness enables
him to maneuver safely until he can
get the first punch home and if it
happens to be solid, jarring punch,
he may come piling in with such a
whitening charge that Louis may
never have time to recover from the
opening shock until shock piles on
shock and he withers into defeat.
The same may be true if Louis
gets the first shot home; but it is
less likely to be true because, even
when hurt, Schmeling can use his
poise and his great resourcefulness
to weather rough storm and fight
up hill.
All we can say to a certainty is
that, long or short, it is certain to
be great fight while it lasts. Betting
odds are in favor of Louis, and they
should be; but no one can say Schmel-
ing has not a grand chance to be-
come champion once more.
Military training is offered in sew