A NEW SPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 17319, 6 April 1920, Page 5

A NEW SPORT.

It is interesting to note that a new sport has arisen, the enterprising French having decided to promote a- cross-country race in which tanks will be the competitors. There aro 27 tank units in the French army, and each will send a representative, the race being intended to demonstrate the skill of the drivers and the ability of the Tank to negotiate obstacles. Times indeed change, and wo may yet have a Derby at Epsom wherein the competitors are the most up-to-date fighting machine.' > BOXING. The top pf the bill at the National Sporting Club on Monday took the nature of a contest between M. Honeyman, of London, and Billy Marchant, of .Manchester, for the feather-weight championship of Britain. It may.be said at once that it was disappointing, neither man showing- form in keeping with a chailipion. Honeyman hack natural advantage in the matter of height and reach, and ho was very quick on Ins feet, but- few o? his blows had much power. Marchant kept boring in and forcing matters, but his rival managed to avoid the heavy swings, and in the end gained the referee’s award. After such cracks as Moran and Driscoll, the now champion compares poorly, and he will stand little chance against the pick of France'. Possibly something Of this crossed th-e mind of Curpentier, who was present .during tile contest.. He and his manager Descampa are interesting personalities, and many of the sportsmen present found more interest in watching the two visitors than the boxers. Carpentior looked very fine drawn, and with his long tapered fingers and pale face he looked the very opposite to the old type of fighter. As to his manager, he would probably have made a great name as a. comedian had lie made that his profession. Undoubtedly he is a remarkable character, and one can well understand the inHnen.cc ho has on Carpentier. Apropos of the pair, the writer believes that there is no. written agreement between them, their mutual friendship and trust being all. sufficient. Carpentier has received another tempting offer to go to the States, it being a purse of £IIO,OOO, to be split 75 and 25 per cent., with a further 40 per cent, of the profits to the boxers and 50 per cent, to the Red Cross societies in Franco, Britain, and America. Thu French crack is credited with the intention of retiring after he has met Dempsey,' and from all that one can see he is likely to win a fortune on the contest, no matter how it may result. —Billy Wells in Form.— Although ho has failed badly at- times, Billy Wells is easily the .-most popular of British boxers, and never fails to prove a draw. As usual when he is engaged, the spectators at Tuesday’s contest between him and Harry Reeve wore quite prepared to see fiensaliuiml happenings. Reeve, however,- really played ‘into the hands of Wells hy trying to box in what may be termed gymnasium style, which just suited such a master as tire ex-born-hardier. It wag really a sedate bout, with Wells frequently landing that long straight left of his, and before the Hurd round was over it looked long odds on him. The. fourth round was only a. mat-’ ter of 40 seconds old when W 7 ells get in another left, which slightly turned 'Reeve round, so that his left jaw -offered a fine target. Like- a flash Moolis sent, in a terrific right, which connected with the poirit of the jaw, and it was all U P with Reeve. The punch was a real beauty, and compared with the blow which put Cohn Bell, of Australia, out at Olymnia a f eu ;„,y ears hack. Throughout- the contest- Wells was remarkably cool and unpm’tnrbed, and it was only after he had won that ho showed one of his traits which affects his prospects. Showing great concern, he went to Reeve’s corner to see if his rival was badlv hurt. That is a nice trait, but if a man" is so affected during a contest he must be handicapped. Wells showed this quite early in his career, and the writer recalls how anxious he looked when he knocked Iron Hague out at the Natgmal .Sporting Club and the look of relief on his face when the Yorkshire man regained his feet. Wells ill no .v probably seek a. match with Beckett, and with his speed, science, and height has many advantages which mav enable him to regain the heavy-weight championship of Britain. * 3