BOXING AND BOXERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 2 May 1935, Page 10

BOXING AND BOXERS

PUNISHING CONTESTANTS /From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, 4th April. Nothing will convince Kid Berg (writes B. Bennison) that he has not the beating of Gustave Huinery until the fiery little Frenchman has put him down and out. He is built that way. Surrender—never for the famous irrepressible “Yiddle.” But in all seriousness I suggest that, if he is determined to prove that he is better than Humery, they should meet in private. For myself I have seen enough of these two hard-as-nails young men. And I suspect the public are so minded.

In my patriotism I am sorry that the Frenchman is two up on the British —you, of course, know that Humery was the winner of the light at tlie Albert Hall last Monday—but there it is. And whatever Berg may say to the contrary, the verdict did him no injustice. He was definitely behind on points when the last bell went. It was not a thrilling light, as was the first contest at and no so interesting as that which quickly followed in Paris, for the. reason that one round was very much the same as the other. It certainly was not a battle for the purist, being just one grand slam, with the devil ever free to take the hindmost. It was more for the student of psychology than the boxing expert, in that it set a problem as to how it was possible for any men to hold up under the punishment which Berg and Humery gave and took. My only explanation is that they are not as other men. It is impossible to impose a limit npon their power of endurance.Which is rather astounding, for they have played with and lived under lire from their earliest youth.

I am asked whether Humery will go on to win a world’s championship. I do not think so; and lam equally decided that Berg can have small, if any, hope of winning that distinction. He is past his best in my view. 'Which is, of course, not -to say that there is a superior at his, poundage in this country. That remains to be proved by his making answer to his challen - gers. There is, indeed, quite a deal for him to do, with such as ex-Seaman Watson, Jimmy Walsh, Stewart, and George Daly in the field.

JOCUND DAY And about Day, the Blackfairs lad. He made good his brazeness in venturing against Carlos' Orlandi, who is the official lightweight champion of Europe. He was beaten, it is true, but he went the full distance (ten rounds (with the Italian and in every particular made an impressive show. It is a long time since, a loser was given such tremendous ovation as that accorded to the young "Cockney. In another year, if all goes well with him, he will be completely ready for a championship fight. Even now he would, if given the chance, measure himself against Berg. He would be well advised to wait a while longer. If I were free to decide I should select Watson as the worthiest opponent for Berg. That he ranks second best in his division, I am sure. There is none more deserving than the Newcastle sailor. As for Harry Mizler, he should bide his time until his hands have been cured of brittleness. We shall have a more definite idea of what the future has in store for Mizler after a fight lie is shortly to.-,; have with Norman Snow, of Northmptbn. I dare say that at sometime or other you have seen George Cook,'{and remarked upon li;s intense seriousness. I have known the /weather-beaten old fellow ever since he came amongst us from his native Australia, and that must be a dozen years or more ,ago. During all that time I have not known him to indulge in more than the mildest smile until last Monday. " ThejiJic. gave himself ovfer ’ to unrestrained' laughter. He brought to the Albert Hall an elaborately.,tatooed,. handsome young man, a generous cruiser,fine’ and upstanding, named Pat Mahinan, and put him in the ring with a Bed, fordshire outsize, Albert Inwards, and there and, then Marrinan had his man out to the world. VETERAN’S EXPANSIVE SMILECook’s grin, I am sure, was meant to tell us that he of-all people had

found “the goods.” I do not suppose that Cook, though perilously near to •10, has the least intention of retiring. He will go on fighting until he is without a single shot ,in his locker. But it would be fitting if, in the winter of his career, he produced in I-lar-riuan a real heavyweight champiou. I hope there will be no jumping at conclusions, and that we shall not have Marrinan dressed in false colours, but that he has a relish for fighting there is no doubt. He makes no hones about his intentions —the bell, and he sails in with all the gusto of his race and blood. And lie has two hands. There is no make-believe about him. He pulverised Inwards. We all want to see Marrinan again. And at the earliest opportunity. I am not at the moment prepared to stake a deal on his future.

j lam afraid he was not up against a j real tiger. At least I hope Marrinan ! will not be encouraged to suppose that lie lias done more than finish his first job in London after the manner ,of a journeyman. He will not lack for ; work. Cook will see to that.. MeanI time, I will keep a fatherly eye on the 'Australian's surprising discovery. If I might suggest it, a match between him and Bauxwell, the Wembley apprentice, should, he arranged. There is such as Borrington, too, the Midi lander, against whom he-might he put, and, if I had the shaping of his pro- ; gramme, I would have a mind for ! George Brennan. i There is quite a. considerable field all ready for exploitation, by any 1 heavyweight who is seriously intent , upon learning the business, without | demanding too much of him. By the • way, I am wondering what has* liap- ! pened to Jack McCoy, the Cork youth, !" ho was recently taken under the j wing of Cook. Perhaps the “Grand .old man” will enlighten us. c