Evening star., 1938-06-19
SCHMEL|NG GIVEN
NOCHANCE BY Jim
Opinions Of Experts Differ
Widely, However, on Bout
Apt to Net $780, 900.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

---N-@
NEW YORK, June 1s.-The big fel-
low with the square Irish jaw and the
black hair sprawled in & big chair in
the inner sanctum Of Fight Promoter
Michael Straus Uncle Mike" Jacobs
while the never-ceasing argument
ragged over Joe Louis and Max
Schmeling
Jacobs himself figuratively stuffed
cotton in his ears, ignored the cres-
cer(o of debate and peered intently at
two sets Of figures, showing that the
advance sale for the forthcoming
world heavyweight title scrap, with
four days to 60, had passed the COM
parable sale for the Louis Baer fight
Of 1885, mounted to $685., 900 and indi-
Gated there's still an outside chance
to hit the magic mark OF 100000.
The big fellow-James j. Braddock-
finally got the floor.
MY guess is no better than yours
or anybody else's," he ventured, be
cause this is the toughest Of all games
to figure.
For instance, there's this angle
licked Max Baer. Baer stopped Max
Schmeling. Schmeling knocked out
Louis.
Quick Win Seen for Louis.
THAT makes me look pretty good,
doesn't 1t? But finish it off. Louis
knocked me out, stiff, in eight rounds
Sure, had him on the floor. gave
everything I had. But I'm willing to
admit now that his left jab alone had
so much power in it that l was dizzy
and seeing double after the second
round. I still don't know how I man.
aged to last as long as did.
I'm through now, so I can speak
my piece. fought all that came my
way. never asked for any favors.
But I'm telling you this Louis hits
twice as hard as any man I ever faced
in the ring. He's the fastest and the
best two-handed puncher have ever
. seen.
L think Louis will fiatten Schmeling
this time and do it quick-within five
rounds. The Negro will force the
light and unless I'm away off the
mark he will smother anything the
German has to offer. He won't make
the mistakes he did two years ago."
Opinions Sharply Divided.
Braddocks emphatic conclusions not
only contrast with the views of two
other ex-champions, Jack Dempsey
and Gene Tunney, who have done
considerable editorial "hedging," but
differ sharply with the expert con-
sensus. Jersey Jim" has some COM
pany "out on the limb" of course, but
the Associated Press poll shows $3.50
stand-off of newspaper opinion, so far,
with scores of experts still unable to
make up their minds.
Activity in the training camps, in
stead of furnishing definite clues.
mainly has served only to accentuate
the division of viewpoint. Diamet-
rically opposite conclusions have been
drawn by critics standing side by side
at the workouts of either Max or joe
Barring accidents or sudden develop
ments over the week end, there ap-
pears no solution Of the mystery, short
of the actual fisticuffing Wednesday
night.
Joe Still Betting Choice.
Louis continues the betting choice
He may be the 1-to-2 favorite by the
time the ring is cleared for the main
bout. All sorts of rumors have been
floated along caulifower row to ex-
plain the preference for the Negro.
who was belted into senselessness by
the German schlager two years ago.
but none seems substantial. The talk
that Louis is sure thing" simply is
Characteristic Of big fights. Dempsey
was sure thing" at both Philadel-
phia and Chicago against Tunney, but
they paid of on the fighting marine.
Braddock may be right. Louis may
prove his undisputed right to be cham
pion OF the world, justifying the con-
tention of his hackers that his defeat
OF 1896 was just an accident" But
he's got to prove it in the ring. And
against the deadliest right-hand
puncher Of current times, a fighter
who has the head, the heart and the
purpose to achieve what no other ex-
champion has done-regain the heavy
weight crown.
Fight Apt to Draw $4,000.
All of which brings us right back
to the point where we came in, with
the astute Mr.. Jacobs, oblivious to all
arguments, casting fond glance at
the boxoffice figures.
the box-office figures to draw upward
Of 10000 cash customers to the Yam
kee Stadium. The gate receipts, Mike
says, depend on the final drop" or
''outside" returns. Three years ago.
for the Baer-Louis bout, the drop"
reached $250,000. This part of the
promotion always is a gamble. If the
returns are as good this time the
chances of the million-dollar gate"
will be bright.
The best guess is that the pay-off
will be on net gate" of $500, 900,
exclusive of the taxes
The fistic show will start at 7:20.
E. S. T. The main bout is scheduled
for 9 pm. 1t will be broadcast over
N. B, c. networks, besides being short