PLAYBOY'S BLUFF IS CALLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 260, 2 November 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

PLAYBOY'S BLUFF IS CALLED.

Battered Butterfly Says Good-bye to the Ring.

Joe Louis, the 21-year-old Detroit negro Wer who three hours before entering the ring, had married Miss Marva Trotter, defeated Max Baer, former world's heavy-weight champion, at the Yankee Stadium, New York, on September 24. it was a terrific fight, and Baer was severely punished until he was knocked out in the fourth round. After the fight the badly-punished Baer admitted that he was only "kidding himself he was a fighter."

Crowds swarming into the Yankee Stadium on the evening of September 24 learned with intense astonishment that Joe Louis married Miss Marva Trotter, Chicago southside belle, three hours before he was due iii the ring for his £30,000 fight with -Max Baer, writes the London "Daily Mail's" New York correspondent. When the 10-year-old girl arrived in New York on the day of the fight she declared she would be married before the fight. Listeners ridiculed the suggestion, declaring that Mr. Mike Jacobs, promoter of the fight, would never permit such a thing on the eve of Louis' greatest ring contest. However, at seven o'clock (midnight, British summer time), Mr. Jacobs himself acted as best man. The ceremony was performed by Judge Toney, of Harlem, at a private house. After one kiss Louis left for the ringside, accompanied by his bodyguard and the smiling promoter. From all parts of the country people poured into New York for the 15 rounds battle of the "giants of the ring" —Max Baer, playboy, film star, exchampion of the world, and Joe Louis, the negro "Detroit Bomber." Two thousand police were drafted to the Yankee Stadium. They "were armed with tear-gas bombs and machine-guns as a precaution against ripting. The arrival of Baer and Louis for the weigh-in at the New York State Athletic Commissioner's office was witnessed by tumultuous crowds shouting: "Hit him for me!" "Sock him, Max!" Louis' greeting to his doughty opponent was confined to a "How do, Max." The livelier Baer patted Louis on the shoulder. Baer demanded that he should be allowed to use a particular glove he fancied to protect . his "sensitive knuckles." When boxing officials said "No" he stalked out of the room, crying: "Then there'll be no fight!" This turbiilent demonstration, however was smoothed over and Max won his point. Both Begin Cautiously! When the fighters entered the ring Louis was still a 2 to 1 favourite. Both began cautiously. Louis sparred with his.left and then fell into a clinch. Louis tried to hit with both hands but failed to land. Baer tore into Louis, but took a right on the' jaw. This produced a savage expression on Baer's face. They sparred carefully for a bit, and then Louis got home a left hook. Max replied by attacking with both hands to the body. Louis scored a left-right-left to the jaw which caused his man to redden. Louis followed these blows up with two left jabs and a right hook to the head. * Baer covered up and then advanced ineffectively. Baer was bleeding from the nose badly, but he landed a leftright to the jaw. Both slugged away hard at each other, Louis out-figbting Baer who, however,, only laughed. He changed his tune a few moments later, .however, when Louis battered him in a comer. Baer covered up when in. a helpless condition. Louis' round. Louis opened with a left jab. Baer was watching for an opening to the stomach. After a little sparring Louis connected with a hard right, hook to the nose, which was still bleeding. Louis landed three more right hooks to . the. face. Baer covered up and replied with a left hook. The negro was deadly serious. He landed short, 'sharp blows and Baer's nose was still bleeding badly. He. seemed afraid to let, himself go. Louis got home three more left jabs. By this time Baer's face was a gory sight. He tried to keep in close and held on. Louis jabbed hard and Baer landed -a left-right to the jaw at the bell, rocking Louis. Louis' round. Baer began the third round' fighting ■with both fists to the head, but the negro backed and they rell into a clinch. The referee warned Baer to keep his punches up. Baer looked savage. Louis got in some left hooks and jabs. In the fourth round Louis carried the fight to Ms badly punished opponent and . battered him unmercifully about the head,.eventually knocking him down with a light punch to the jaw. Baer was on. one knee struggling futilely to rise when ho was counted out, 2 minuses 50, seconds after the start of the round. Baer's Confession. Max tossed on his bed of thorns in his New York hotel next morning, when a London journal's correspondent interviewed him. I was led in to see him soon after he had opened his painfully swollen eyes, writes the correspondent.. His gloves hung on a picture nail. His handsome face was battered and bruised. His - lips were twice their normal size, his left hand was crippled, the concrete jaw that in the old days could "take anything" was cracked. Mary Ellen Baer, the lunch-counter girl whom Baer married just before he began training for his most important fight, was standing beside him. A doctor was within constant call. The great Max Baer —Baer, the man who could "take it" —was in sorry

shape. "I am through," he told me, trying to smile through his bandages—"through lor ever. Nothing can get me through those : . jropes again. I just hate the thought of fighting any more. "I was never cut out to be a fighter, but I guess I thought I could get away with it. I was wrong. I cannot fight. I was just kidding myself. I'm a rotten fighter and now X am through. [''But I cah still talk. Oh, yes! Plenty!" He grinned. "Well then, Max," I said, "what about that jeering last night? There was plenty of ugly talk that you quit, you know." "I know," said Baer. "I guess X could have got up again, but—l don't think so. Anyway, what was the use? I -was licked from the start. Those guys that were out there yelling were not in the ring taking punches. If I

had thought I bad the slightest chance 1 might have forced myself to get up during that last count. But that Louis is bad —bad, boy. "I could not move. My head was swimming, my knees would not react. All Harlem was there against me. All I could sec was one great black cloud, and this little ray of sunshine"—indicating his wife —"''could not penetrate it. "They can call that quitting if they like. But I don't think it was. Louis had me licked as I honestly thought I never could bo licked." Baer lit a cigarette and ordered a bottle of beer. "Gee! " It's good to think I don't have to worry about this any more," he said. "As soon as the doctor says it's all right, I shall leave New York for good aiTd take Mary Ellen to my ranch. "I have a little ranch of 5000 acres and 500 head of the prettiest white cattle you ever saw. "Think of all the people who cat meat twice a day. Well, every time they do that I will he making money. I have a bit put away. I have not been as extravagant as they say, ami I had quite a nice little piece last night. That will take care of me and my family for the rest of their lives." I asked him. "What do you think ol Louis' future V" Max smiled. "Great," he said. I wisli him lots of luck and happiness. He will have plenty of both. His punch is terrific. He will beat Jim Braddock easier than he beat me. He's a cinch for the championship. The only guy who has a chance against him is Schmeling. "Now Schmeling, he's a smart fighter — not a chump like me going around with a left hand that's no;good except to take off hats to the, ladies. "Schmeling can hurt, but I think Louis will beat him." ' Mary Ellen Baer patted his swollen head. Max winced. "Never mind, dear," she said. "The world has lost you, but I have gained you. I would have gone away if you had won." Buddy Baer, who also lost the previous evening on points, came in. He was sad and gloomy. "Cheer up, kid." said Max. "Were just a couple of mugs. Let's go away and forget all about it. We've had our fun, and there's time for plenty more. , ~ .i t "Gee, though, they shouldn't have made you watch me fight last night, that was tough for you. kid. I saw you crying when you got into the ring. Well —never mind." So I left him—beaten, his career ended, but in his own way still game. Later in the day Louis went back to his training camp at Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, with his bride. While he rested he made plans to visit England and other parts of Europe. "Mike Jacobs and Ah figure on looking over this old world." he said. "Ah've always wanted to see England and Ah want to fight there. We won't 'do anv fighting this' time, but Ah guess we'll arrange some good bouts for next year. ,-. , , x " "Marva wants to see England, too— and Ah wants England to see Marva." Fighters Compared. > BAER. ■ • LOUIS. \sp '>G Age, 21. ■ • Height, 6ft 2Jln Height; ««to Weight, 15st. Weight, 13st. 21b. Reach, 811 in. Reach, 7Gin. Biceps, 14iin. Biceps, 13in. . Chest, expanded, 47inChest, expanded, 43n