MIKE GIBBONS AND JEFF SMITH.

A few years ago a bout between Mike Gibbons and Jeff. Smith would have caused the boxing world to sit up and take notice, but the pair did not cause any sensation a little while back. Here is an account of their meeting from an Amex'ican correspondent: Mike Gibbons, once invincible phantom of St. Paul and claimant to the middleweight title, met his master on July 4, m the person of one Jerome Jeffries, fistic son of Bayonne, N.J., and better known to those pugilistically inclined as Jeff. Smith. At the finale 10th round, the three Press representatives at the ringside, who had been picked as judges, awarded the verdict to Smith. Their opinion was shared by the majority of SSOO fans. It wasn't the Mike Gibbons of several years ago who bowed to the thunderbolt. It wasn't the same Mike at all. Gibbons didn't show the same freedom of movement of hoof; his blows lacked the kick, his judgment of distance was faulty, and his defence wasn't of the impregnable character that made him years ago a "tough

cookie" to lay a glove on. Probably Mike never got over that beating Harry Greb handed him at Pittsburg a week previous, if reports we received from Ed. Smith, referee of the bout, are to be believed. Although Smith clearly outpointed the Apostolic mitt dealer, his showing was not any too impressive. His vaunted left paw failed to function properly, and his best efforts were wasted on the stuffy July ozone. Smith proved as fast as Mike had showed a better defence, but that highly touted Mary Ann failed to settle the issue as was predicted by the wiseacres hereabouts. Smith's judgment of distance and timing of blows was sadly ttff color. Perhaps Gibbons shifting and ducking made th« bis fellow look bad, but whatever .•.ansed it detracted greatly from tho performance. On several occasions that lethal left was all cooked and ready to shoot, but when the time came it either sailed over Mike's head or rent, the atmosphere. Smith's irasunsr right probably did the damage. The bout was unsatisfactory from the standpoint of those who sailed forth to see a massacre. They I'orgot they had paid to see boxers m the ring and not two cave men. Both men, past masters at infighting, chose that style and each tried to wear the other down by that method of attack. Their actions at times were jeered, but it was uncalled for. While it was not thrilling it was far removed from a tame affair.