ENGLAND SEEKS CHAMP.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 37 (Supplement)

ENGLAND SEEKS CHAMP.

BLOOMFIELD A FAILURE. WANTED—A HEAVY-WEIGHT. Twenty-four hours after Jack Bloomfield, had taken the horizontal position that appears to be "quite the thing" iv English ring circles, the British fans began to search the highways and byways for some big fellow who might be groomed to win a world's title. In the country of champion divers there was still hope that Bloomfield would rise to the upper heights in the ring until Tom Gibbons came along to topple over the Briton, says an American writer. Curiously, Bloomfield lost the light-heavy-weight championship of EngL&nd. in a bout with Joe Goddard, another famed horfzontaliet. Goddard fouled Bloomfield in the first round a fewseconds after the bell rang. Second crack out of the box Bloomfield floored Goddard, and before the count of nine came Bloomfield knocked Goddard for a goal as the latter was etill down. Bloomfield will pass out of the minds of the British fans as a championship contender and the hunt will be on. For a time the man who lost to Gibbons was at least promising. He began serious work in 1918, and two- years later came to America, where he beat Gene Brosseau, Johnny Howard and some other Eastern boys. He was stopped by Happy Littleton, but went on to beat Mike McTigue. although the affairs were no-decision tests. He returned to England, where he began to beat the field, which included Bombardier Billy Wells. He waa outpointed by Kid Lewis, but showed promise even in this bout. It will be remembered that Matt Wells used his American experience to give Freddy Welch a battle, and for a time after he returned to America was one of the flashiest boys in the business. With Jimmy Wilde out of it, England has no worthy son to call upon at the present writing. Prankie Ash, often referred to aa "England's Mighty Atom," appears to be the best prospect at present for titular honours. This boy fought Pancho Villa 15 fast rounds this summer. It appears that this 112-pound boy has everything that a boxer needs but the punch. He is at least one Briton who can be referred to as a perpendicular fighter, as he took everything Villa had and asked for more. Despite his inability to pack a solid punch, Ash perhaps has a better chance to land a title than have the "hopes" that are now being prepared for Eomething in the future.