IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

[Bx "MEECunr."]

JEANETTE BATTLE STOPPED. "For the Betterment of the Sport." The promoters of tho Johnson-,leanctle match have declared the bout off. The only reason given is "the betterment of the sport." The promoters had a long and secret conference with the State Athletic Commissioners prior to the announcement of their decision. Kucii was llio cable' message that advitcd us of tho cancellation of the JohnsonJeanelte fixture which had been scheduled for .September 25. Naturally enough, the message proved rather mystifying locally, some wonderment being expressed as to'how "the betterment of the sport" would be furthered by the prohibition of a contest between the world's champion and u worthy opponent of Jeanette's calibre. Tho Sydney papers, however, received fuller messages, which make matters more understandable—in fact, tho news of the cancellation was presaged the day before by the following message:— New York, August 20. With the rule barring Jack Johnson from boxing in New York Stato writton in indelible ink in the big book at Albany by the State Athletic Commission, it is believed that the champion's match with Joe Jeanetto will fall through. Nevertheless, tho arrangements are going ahead for the pulling off of the contest. In addition to that , the , message wo received was elaborated in this wise Johnson asserts that ho is not, perturbed at the decision, but he wishes • to show tho public that he is still champion. The Athletic Club denies that any pressure was brought to bear to induce it to cancel the bout. It announces that it simply desires not to allow Johnson to appear in any ring in New York State. Which makes the situation quite clear. Boxing in New York is governed by a commission, which has the power of veto over any proposed match within, the precincts of that city, and it was this august body that put the ban "on the contest. , In this particular case (from an outside view-point), tho enforcing of tho rule is to bo regretted. Since the Flynn engagement on July i, and the reports of Johnson's deterioration, this engagement with tho doughty half-caste was being looked for with interest, as likely to furnish an index to the champion's real form. Particularly was this so in the Antipodes,, in anticipation of Johnson's projected visit to Australia, and his meeting there with "Sam" Langford, between whom and Jeanetto there is very littlo to chose. Tho Vultures and the Feast. The invasion of Sydney by the foreign boxer is now nt its height. Tho Frenchmen aro either there or en route, while the American and the Ethiopian are arriving daily. Tho pity of it is that Australian boxing is at such a low ebb nt present, for, when the talent to be,arrayed against tho stranger at Australia's gate is weighed up, it is found to be very much wanting. It is poor in quality and worse in quantity. Why is hard to imagine. Since the Burns-Squires and BurnsJohnson battles, the game has boomed on tho other side. There has been every inducement in the shape of matches and purses for good class boxers during the last five or six years; stadiums have sprang up mushroom-like in all tho towns with any pretensions to importance ■throughout tho Commonwealth, but the result on the crop of champions has been almost nil. Boxers, so-called, there are in plenty in Australia, but those fit to take a place in tho forthcoming "internationals" are but smjll potatoes, and . very few in a row at that. Dave Smith nnd Hughio Mehegan are away in foreign climes, and what is left? Here they aro —such as they aro: Bantams: Teddy Green (Sydney), Charley Simpson (Victoria). Feather-weights: . Joe Russell (Queensland). Lightweights: Frank M'Coy (Victoria), Jack Rend (Sydney), Hock Keys (N.S.W.). Welter-weights: Nil. Middle-weights: Bill Rudd (New Zealand), Tim Laud (Sydney). Heavy-weights: Al. Thompson (Sydney), Bill Lang (Victoria), Lcs O'Donnell (Sydney). The lack of welters and middles is lamentable. Rudd and Land aro fair, but they cannot bo fighting all tho time. In a month or so there will bo half a dozen French and American welters and middles to be catered for, and tho upshot will bo that they will have to fight among themselves—which may make good sport, but nevertheless, it is deplorable that there is nothing wearing .the "made in Australia" brand to do battle for the Commonwealth. The first of the "internationals" was down for settlement last Saturday, when "Bill" Rudd was to open the ball for Australia against "Ernie" Zanders, of the U.S.A. A win would bo a big thing for the ox-Wellingtoma.u, but tho'fact that he was bound by a ,£IOO forfeit to make the "middle" limit, list. 41b., will not hove improved liis chances. Zanders, his opponent, scales alxmt lOst. 101b. The next of tho series is the lightweight battle between "Kid" M'Coy nnd Paul Til, the Frenchman, , which takos place to-night. A Weird and Bearded Frenchman Named Poesy. . Ono of the Frenchmen to appear in Sydney is Jean Poesy, whose recent victory over "Digger" Stanley, tho English champion, will be remembered. Poesy's methods in the ring belie his name, judging by a comment from "Boxing" on one of his recent appearances. Apparently, for "tricks that are dark," etc., tho American boxer is not "out by himself" after all. Says the English paper:— "Poesy arrived on the scene prepared for everything. He had armed • himself at all points with every weapon he had ever heard about. He came with probably four days' growth of beard on his chin, for the double purpose of deadening the effect of any punches ho might receive, and prepared also to utilise the bristly growth as an annoyance in (ho clinches. What is more, he used that beard, too, and used it well. Tiino and again would he rasp it against _ Driscoll's cheek, after Battling Nelson's favourite method, and when he found That this mode of attack was powerless to disturb Driscoll's serenity, he put his head to other uses—under Driscoll's chin. The refciec felt finally called upon to advise Poesy's seconds ' that this sort of thing was scarcely cricket, but as the admonition did not come along until the filial round, and after about the 100 th repetition of the offence, it possessed the demerit of being a trifle belated." Course of Things in Wellington. Local mailers are rather quiet. The Wellington B.A. has been forced to hold over the match advocated in this column last week—that between Porter and Maxwell—for some weeks owing to the hitter's inability to obtain leave of absence. Meanwhile a contest has been arranged between Lyp Truseott—a well-known Australian welter now in form—and "Denny" Murphy. This is (o take place 011 September 18, and negotiations arc proceeding in Sydney to find a suitable opponent for J. Hegartv to follow. It is probable that either Frank Fitzjohn or Then. Bums will be the doughty Timnruvinn's vis-a-vis, and, if either of these lads can be secured, this contest will be quite one of the best." The Accident to "Dave" Smith. Much sympathy will bo felt for "l)»ve" Smith in his present misfortune—the accident ; to his foot that lias already been c>i'onicled in tho news columns. The New Zealander experienced much vexatious delay before a match could be arranged for him in England, but he had been successful in the end in signing up with Private Palmer, who had recently come to the front by beating Harry Lewis, the American. The contest- had been fixed for July 2.1, and the result was being looked for with interest. Now, by the English mail, instead of tho news of a victory for Smith', as was hoped for, comes tho intelligence thnl ho has bean knocked out by a broken i boitli-