The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-02
FIGHTING STORIES FOR FIGHTING MEN
-FIGHTING STORIES FOR FIGHTING MEN-- McLarnin And Foster Combine Was Like TriIby And SvengoIi But With Much Happier Ending
By BILLY ROCHE
 Famous Referee (Written for NEA Service)

, JLIllny !IcLdTnln ana HIS guar. dian-manager Pop Foster were probably the most successful fighter manager combination in boxing. Both retired with comfortable fortune and all their senses.
 McLarnin could box or slug with the best, was a terrific puncher, game as a pebble, could take it or dish it out equally well.
 Baby Faced McLarnin they call ed him, for he looked like cherub, but looks belied his fighting quail ties.
 Foster and McLarnin came to California from Vancouver, B. C., in the early POS, but no promoter would risk matching the baby faced kids with the tough boys around, so the pair lived together like recluses, old man Foster do- ing the marketing, cooking and housekeeping, Jimmy practicing daily in the gyms.
 Foster, who had boxed in travel ing booths abroad and managed Spike Robson, English lightweight challenger before World War l, schooled Jimmy in boxing after the style of Jem Driscoll.
 Benny Leonard, lightweight champion, came to San Francisco with burlesque show. One day Benny arrived for an early work out at Moose Taussig's gym, found rn cnarrino ,ortnprc
 There's a kid hanging around who might give you a workout for speed, but don't hurt him, '' said Moose, and he called Jimmy McLarnin. Benny promptly la beled McLarnin one of the best natural boxers he ever faced. It was the irony of fate that Jimmy put the final period to Leonards comeback nine years later by knocking him out in six at Madi- son Square Garden, Oct. ', 1882. S35 FOR FIRST FIGHT
 McLarnin was matched to box Frankie Sands a four-rounder al Oakland early in 1924. Jimmy got $35 for that fight. Five years later he got more than 1000 times that amount for stiffening Ruby Gold stein in two in New York, Dec. 13 1939.
 Following the bout with Sands McLarnin fought the best, outpoint- ed Fidel La Barba, national ano worlds amateur Olympic champion late in 1924.
 McLarnin suffered his first de- feat when Bud Taylor, great ban tamweight, took a decision from him at Vernon, Calf, June 3, 1925 and in his next fight Baby Face outscored Pancho Villa in 10 al Oakland, July 4. Ten days later Villa died of an infected jaw.
 After knocking out Louis Kic Kaplan, featherweight champion in eight rounds in an 'above-the. weight bout in Chicago, Oct. Is, 1e2' McLarnin stepped into the bi| dough.
 To his stand-up, clever style Nc Larnin added hefty punch W4tl which he fattened Sid Ferris, Phi McGraw, Sgt Sammy Baker ant Young Corbett III in one rount each.
 BEAT MANY CHAMPIONS
 McLarnin grew rapidly, wound ur welterweight defending the titlt he won from Corbett, March 29 1883. Barney Ross took decision from him in 15 for the crown 1T New York, May 28, 1884. The fol lowing Sept. IT McLarnin regainee the championship from Ross ana lost it again to Barney on the an niversary of their first battle, Ma. 28, 1885.
 McLarnin retired in 1886 afte losing to and winning from Ton. Canzoneri and beating Lou Amber in 10-round battles.
 In his campaign of 78 fights ove a period of 13 years McLarnin de feated II men who at one time O another held the world champion ship in their respective classes. HI owns a soap factory in California has a fine family, and is still visitet by Pop Foster.
 Born in Ireland, Dec. IT, 1905 McLarnin came to America Whel baby. His family settled on cattle ranch in Washington, thel moved to Vancouver, B. c. Her Pop Foster, wounded veteran o World War I, convalescing at Vancouver Army Base hospita. saw young McLarnin box, was i'm pressed and taught the kid the fine points of the game.
 Pop Foster and Jimmy McLarnil developed into ring combination that rivaled Svengali and Trilby- with a happier ending.