TALES AND FANCIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1927, Page 12

TALES AND FANCIES

FROM THE TOM —OF—FRITZ HOLLAND rpRIS is the first of a series of articles specially written by Fritz Holland, the famous American boxer. Since his retirement from the game, Fritz has made his home in New Zealand, and is at present in business in Christchurch. STYLE The editor asked me to write about what I consider the most effective boxing style. Having studied , the subject for more than 20 years, I propose now to express and explain my views. We’ll start with Dempsey, a fighter —beaten by Tunney, a boxer. And as Dempsey beat Firpo, another fighter, boxing, so far, wins. Willard was a. boxer, and that evens Dempsey’s score, as it was from him that Dempsey won the title. Willard won it from Johnson, who was a much more scientific boxer. So we scent a rodent! Johnson beat Burns, a tearing fighter who was about half Johnson’s size. Throw that out! Burns won it from Marvin Hart, who never held it. So I suggest to the editor that he write the bally thing himself!'- '

HOSPITALITY ■ “Red” Watson, a game, hard-hitting welter-weight, who was in Australia about 10 years ago, was a practical joker, and some of his jokes were a “bit over the odds.” Chicago “Knockout” Brown was one of his victims. Brown was a Greek, and was not a popular person. Some of the Sydney bookmakers had serious grievances against him,- and “Red” did not like him either. After fulfilling his contract with Stadiums, Limited, Brown at “Red’s” suggestion, invited the bookmakers and their wives to a farewell dinner at the training quarters. “Red” volunteered to attend to the selection of the menu and other details. At the appointed hour, the bookmakers and ladies rolled up. in their Rolls-Royces and “Red” was there to welcome them. Silks, satins and diamonds were there in profusion, their wearers bubbling over with expectation at the prospect of meeting the famous Spartan, 1 the great “Knock-out Brown.” .1 In addition to ordering the bill-of-fare, “Red” had planned' a surprise for the. guests. Brown, upon “Red’s” advice, appeared in boxing regalia, which caused a bit of a furore. Brown at once realised that, something was amiss. There seemed to be a distinct chilliness in • the room. There was more coming. Dinner was served. * . In the centre of'the table -were put a large-sized bucket of draught beer and a dozen saucerless teacups Before each of the guests was placed a plateful of macaroni! Brown, in dismay, looked at “Red.” The bookies looked at Brown in disgust. It was a painful scene, and odorous, for the Italian delicacy was impregnated with Limburger cheese, fortified with garlick, and lavishly peppered. The feast was untasted; the smell was enough. . An irate bookmaker arose and “told

the world” just what he thought of “Knock-out” Brown, and of Brown’s hospitality. The other guests elaborated upon and emphasised, his statements. For a full hour the unfortunate Greek was subjected to a bombardment of vituperation. Then, with their ire and their hunger still unappeased, but with their vocabularies exhausted, the guests, male and female, left in high dudgeon. ‘Knock-out” sat huddled in his chair, a picture of misery! “Red” reckoned it had been a most enjoyable evening!

UP AND DOWN

Stanley Ketchel was matched with Benny Hart, who was a tough “trialhorse.” Hart was a negro and fairly game, and a good enough all-round fighter to test to the limit any aspiring youths in their- quest for fistic laurels. Ha and his friends were confident of his beating Ketchel, and made no secret of their assuredness. And it did appear to be “a good thing” because for some time previous to the fight Ketchel had enjoyed only indifferent prosperity, whil§ Hart was welltrained, well-fed and in fine fighting form and trim. But the Marysville fans had no way of knowing of Ketchel’s spartan courage and devastating punch, or of hi.s natural and effective fighting style. Hart soon discovered he had caught a Tartar, and although leading on points, he was having the fight of his life. Ketchel proved to be a different sort of foeman from his predecessors and. Hart was sorely beset by the ceaseless rain of sledgehammer blows that assailed him in every round. Fox a. dozen rounds it was a stirring ftgh>, then Hart’s superior condition began to swing the balance in his favour. But Ketchel was a graduate of a hard school. Stanley Ketch'el was on® man who was never beaten until thft numbers were up. Urged on by his admirers. Hart pursued his advantage, and the tiring, desperately-fighting Ketchel was soon

in sore distress. Staggering, bruised and bleeding, he, was at last felled like an ox. With one eye closed and wits glimmering he hat? struggled to one knee. Hart stood by waiting. “Wait till 1 get up, you black 1 I’ll break your neck!” threatened the stricken and apparently beaten. Ketchel. This was too much for the negro. “Not to-night, you won’t, Mr. Ketchel!” he avowed as he fled through the ropes to his dressing room. The promoters then wired to Joe Thomas to arrange a match for the championship, then held by Thomas A 500 dollar guarantee was offered him Foley, his manager, wired back: — “Thomas will fight anyone he neve; heard of for 500 dollars.” They fought a 20-rounds draw, A short time later, Ketchel knocked out Thomas in 32 rounds, and the “unheard of” was middleweight champion i£ tfe© ; WQlld,