Evening star., 1938-06-07
Joe IN 7TH ROUND
inns PREDICTION
Pays Respects to Champs
Punch-Gene Gives Brown
Bomber Some Tips.
By JOHN LARDNER.

heavyweight champions of the world
are lining up behind Joe Louis in his
tight with Max Schmeling two weeks
from now. One of them-James j.
Braddock-comeS right out and says
80. The other-James ]. Tunney-is
watching his words and biding his
time. But both of their noses point
straight at Louis.
Perhaps Mr.. Tunney is shy because
he has no restaurant. Most former
champions would sooner be seen in
public without their pants than with
out a restaurant or saloon. It is part
OF what the well-dressed former
champion is wearing.
True, Mr.. Tunney is chairman of a
wholesale booze-selling concern. That
keeps him in the lodge and gives him
vote. But, until he can lay his
hands upon combination bar and
beanery. the chances are that the
manly marine will be the victim of a
slight inferiority complex and feel
ing of nakedness which DR.. Freud
identifies as the "thwarted landlord
psychosis"
Mr.. Jimmy Braddock has a res
taurant going full blast. AS matter
Of fact, he is giving Jack Dempsey's
refectory a close run for local honors.
That makes Jimmy freeman and a
kleagle and a kosher eX-champion,
who can look the world in the eye and
predict seventh-round knockout for
Joe Louis.
James Likes That No. I.
"I pick him in seven rounds" says
James, as he deals porterhouse off
the arm and cocks a wary eye at the
cash register. Il like that No. T.
It's natural number, and Louis is a
natural fighter, and this fight is a
natural
Besides, Louis cooled me in eight
rounds, and I don't think Schmeling
will go as far as I did. You know.
Just hunch."
The meteoric Mr.. Braddock, who
shot off the Jersey docks, described a
swift arc, and landed comfortably in
the middle of a bon ton bar-and- grill
where the fight mob goes to browse
and sluice on the late watch, is a fan
for Louis punching power.
He's the greatest puncher that
ever lived" Jim says. With both
hands. He can kill you with right
or left. Listen, the punch he stiff
fened me with in Chicago was a
whanger that knocked my brains out
and laid me fiat, but he tagged me
with some other sweethearts that
didn't show the same way.
After all, I was an experienced
fighter that knew too much to get
hit square on the button in those
early rounds, before he wore me down.
slipped those blows and ducked them
and blocked them and took them
half strength. And even when they
landed half strength, they felt like
q sword going through me. That boy
didn't have to land square. He can
hurt you with anything.
Respects Louis Blasts.
I'D give him the edge over Demp-
sey for two-handed punching power.
I never had an official fight with
Dempsey, but I know what I know
Louis blasts like nobody else ever did"
Jim respects Herr Schmeling as
technician, but he doesn't believe the
technician can keep whipping the
blaster.
Louis played sucker for Max the
last time out" says James. He went
boxing and jabbing around, and,
every time he made lead, he was
laying his chin out there and saying
tag me- Well, don't blame Max for
following orders. 1t was too nice to
pass up.
But this time I figure Joe will 90
out there and punch and keep punch
ing till something gives. I think
Schmeling will give pretty quick. You
can't stand up long against the kind
of stuff that Louis throws. I don't
say that to alibi myself. I know it's
true. fought long enough to learn
something about punishment and re-
sistance"
Thus Mr.. Braddock. Mr.. Gene Tun-
ney, in the suave privacy of his New
York Office, SO floors above sea level, is
less outspoken.
II have my ideas, and I'll make
pick" he says. but not yet I'll just
say this: Either of them could lick
gorilla single-handed
Gene Admitted Louis Backer.
Mr. Tunney is somewhat gorilla
conscious these days, what with his
plans for a match between Gargantua.
the Ringing Bros ace simian, and
third-rate heavyweight of Mr.. Tun-
ney's choosing. Mr.. Tunney is betting
against Gargantua.
AS for Louis, Gene paid a secret"
visit to Joe's camp in Lafayetteville,
N. Y, not long ago and gave the
champion an intensive drill in tactics
and science, showing him Schmelings
flaws and how to take advantage of
them. If that spells anything at all,
1t spells Louis backing from James j.
Tunney.
Among the other former champions
the saloonkeepers in good standing
the vote has not been fully counted vet.
Jack Sharkey is silent. Well, you know
what mean Outside of few hun
dred thousand words on the topics of
the day, the reticent sailor has not
committed himself in public. Jack
Dempsey picks Schmeling.
Louis has too many weaknesses, /"
says the reformed man-mauler from
Manassa.