No Fight For Heavyweight Boxing Crown For At Least A Year

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7247, 29 August 1933, Page 5

No Fight For Heavyweight Boxing Crown For At Least A Year

A PROMINENT AMERICAN CRITIC’S VIEW OF CARNERA’S POSITION

HITH his victory over Jack Sharkey, Primo Camera attained ! heights undreamed of three years ago (writes Nat Fleischer, in “The Ring.”) The Italian did not show anything in the first five rounds, other than his strength and towering height. But •what he unleashed in the sixth round convinced the sceptics that he had improved a thousand-fold since he last fought Sharkey, and that it will take an exceptional heavyweight to dethrone him. The victory was a clean-cut one and entitles the Italian to all the credit that goes with such a triumph. There was no suspicion attached to the win, because everyone plainly saw the knockout blow and there could be no talk about its being a fluke. The Venetian’s victory was such as to make most experts feel that Camera can hold the crown for a long time. The only person in the limelight at present who has a chance of dethroning him is Max Baer, and it is doubtful if they will come together for at least a year. And when they do, Camera will be installed a favourite, and justly so. It does not seem likely that Camera’s handlers will consent to an early defence of his crown. They have other irons in the fire—a trip to Italy and a pick-up of some loose change in ex- ' hibitions and in the movies* You can’t blame them for that, for the combination of world champion heavyweight plus the greatest freak of modern times, makes a great headliner for Camera. Sharkey, boxed nicely until he rushed pell-mell into his doom because of his pride. True, many of his punches missed, but. that was unavoidable in fighting against a giant like Camera. On the other hand, many hit the mark though they were of the longrange variety. On four occasions Sharkey’s right struck Primo’s chin with force and shook him, but the Italian did not secni to mind that. He fought coolly and cautiously. Not once until the final round did he even attempt to do the leading. He let Sharkey do all that. Frequently he looked to iiis corner for instructions from Bill Duffy, to whom he gives full credit for hav-

ing developed him from a crude novice into a world’s champion in a year and a-half. So powerful was Camera that time and again lie handled his 2001 b opponent, like a child would handle a toy balloon. He just whirled him around at will when in close and pushed and shoved him all over the ring when pressed. That continued until the sixth, when the tide turned and the Italian became a ferocious gladiator. Then the big fellow suddenly went on a rampage. He simply wouldn’t be stopped. He sensed victory and he was there to take full advantage of every opportunity presented. In that, he was following instructions from his corner to “make it this round.” What has happened since Camera was put on his own proves that it was silly to have had him campaign through the country for a year against set-ups. There never was ■ the necessity for handling him with such care. Sharkey fought as well for five rounds as he has ever appeared against any opponent, yet Camera tossed him around like a child, and fought more like a veteran than many heavyweights who have been appearing before the public for five years or more. Camera lacked the science that was Tunney’s or the sting that was boasted by Dempsey, yet he showed sufficient to make the folks realise that he is no dub. He can fight and he packs a wallop. He can take it and he can give it. That, is all anyone cares about when discussing a fighter. He lacks class, it is true, but if he could absorb so much - new stuff in one year as he placed on display against Sharkey, there is no telling what he may flash in addition. when he next comes out to defend his title. Standing Oft Gin and weighing 260J1b, as he did against Sharkey, he is the heaviest man who has held a world title since the days of Charley Freeman a century, or more ago. Cbnrparcd with him, Shnrkcv and the other champions, except Willard, who was 6ft 6Jin, looked like pygmies. Sharkey in defeat was as much a champion as he ever appeared. After he was tossed about like a child in the first round, he showed;his mettle by coming back with bells on. His huge opponent clubbed him and pushed and

shoved, at every opportunity, yet Sharkey did not step back as would be expected in such circumstances. With rapier-like stabs to the body and flying hooks to the jaw, many of which landed, he kept driving the . Venetian backward. There was plenty of fearlessness in that attack of Sharkey, a fearlessness that was commendable considering the odds lie was facing in bulk, reach and height. Every time Camera got Sharkey to the ropes lie clubbed him almost out of the ring. He drove Sharkey’s head back through the upper strand four times and once almost shoved him off the platform. On several occasions while Sharkey was against the ropes he received crashing blows to the body which lie could not stop because of his position. That in itself, proved that Camera. had learned the tricks of his trade from Bill Duffy and was taking advantage of every opening he obtained.

Pugilistically, the bout was a great success because it ended as heavyweight fights should wind up—by . a knock-out. Financially it was a failure, because the average fan.did not believe that Camera was the proper opponent for the champion and figured lie was simply in there to enable the Madisdh Square Garden. Corporation to stage a championship affair. Now that Camera has gained the title by the knock-out route and Max Baer has eliminated the former champion,' Max Schmeling, in the same manner, a Bacr-Carnera bout will be a “natural.” It will revive interest in boxing and will bring back to the sport at least the half-million-dollar gate. Both are colourful. Each has proved himself a hitter. Both are tall, burlybuilt men who appeal to the average fan. But I doubt that such a bout will be staged this year. There is too much money to. lie made by Camera without taking any risk so far as his title is concerned, and his advisers will see to it that lie takes the easiest way for at least a year. As for Sharkey, his days are over. He announced after the fight that he is not yet through with the ring. He now wants a shot at Baer to prove his right to a return battle with Camera, but sucb a limit would mean nothing ,to boxing. It would simply aid Sharkey (0 make a little more money. As for Baer, it might put him out of the picture.. Now that he is the ranking challenger, be would be foolish to risk that status, for he is the logical opponent for Camera —the only man in the game who can bring out throngs to see him and the Venetian.