The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-06-11
the sport mirror


While less venturesome members
OF the sport writing craft are un-
willing 10 speculate on the sout-
come Of the Understanding title
bout, 10 come this June %, I'm
willing To stick my neck out and
pick the winner. His name Is Joe
Louis.
Rarely has a championship fight
provoked as much controversy and
interest as the impending battle be-
tween Louis and Max. And certain
ly no bout OF the past years has
been surrounded with as much un-
certainty as enshrouds the Donny-
brook that will spring up from the
ring In Yankee Stadium.
Disturbing the minds OF follow
crs OF the champion Is the fact
that Joe's brown body was drap-
ed on the canvas In twelve rounds
by the mighty fists OF Schmeling,
that warm June night of 1886.
THESE chaps are unable to remove
from their mind the picture Of
Ioe's body prone on the canvas
ana Schmeling. overwrought with
alec, doing Indy Hop in his cor
ncr.
In addition, these Louis support
ers have been tormented by stories
appearing in various publications
IN which the writer's have proclaim
cd that Louis will be pestered with
a memory OF that Knockout. and
The champion will he gun shy OF
:, hmeIing's right hand. They al
40 point out that SchmelinE Is mo-
livsted by the urge 10 be the first
man 10 regain the heavyweight
title, passing the efforts OF Bob
FItzsimmons. James ]. Corbett
James J. Jefferies. and Jack Demp-
Soy.
These same writer's have also
indicated that racial pride will be
the incentive TO spur Schmeling
TO great achievements They en-
plastic the fact that he is the
leading athlete Of Naxi Germany
today, and 10 maintain that posi-
ton. he must defeat Louis, they
declare.
But these disturbing elements
can be rolled up In a neat package
| and tossed out the back door.
for one. will not he handicapped In
NY selection by what occurred two
years ago.
For twelve months Joe had been
told by writer's and fans that he
was a superman, that he would
not have any difficulty in defeat
Ing Schmeling. As a direct result
Of this deluge OF praise. Joe went
about his training In the camp at
Lakewood In a lsksdaisicsl man
ner. He was not In condition when
nc entered the ring against Max
His legs were weak and would not
support the body when the German
began his heavy bomba rdment.
Joe. undoubtedly benefited by the
loss 10 Max. He had IL pounded In
TO his head the necessity OF keep
ing in top condition for all fights.
ana TO take nothing for granted.
Schmeling. handicapped by two
more years on his age, will face a
fighter who will be In the best OF
condition for the defense OF his
title. with the additional two years.
II Is questionable IL Max can stand
the pace.
While Schmeling may he mott
waited by the urge 10 regain the
TILE he lost. Joe will he out to vim
dictate himself in the eyes OF his
followers. He wants 10 wipe out
he blot on his fight record by Civ
ing Der Moxie severe drubbing.
and then knocking him out In
quicker time than Schmeling chop
pea Joe down. That has been Ioe's
ambition for the past two years
With this in mind. the Brown
bomber has gone into training al
Pompton Lakes with the same fury
that was evidenced prior 10 his
battles with Primo Carnero, Max
Baer. Pauline Uzcudun. Jack Shsr-
key. and Al Ettore.
OF course. I'm mindful OF the
charges made by writer's that Joss
sucker for right-hand punch
The boys say that Jack Dempsey
vas one OF the greatest. and every
one remembers how Firpo knock
cd him out OF the ring with a right
hand punch. And Dempsey put
Gene Tunney down for the long
count" with a right 4, chin. Ketch-
el dropped Jack Johnson with a
ight. In fact. every man who has
put his foot in ring has been
s,nscked on his whiskers with a
solid right. SO why worry about
Joe getting hit with risht-hsnd
punches
A. thf. dfatancn A iooks very