BOXING AND BOXERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 12

BOXING AND BOXERS

BUDDY BAER’S RESTRAINT lIIS EXPLANATION IBy Air Mail—From Our Own Correspondent] LONDON. 27th May. The ring and surprises are synonymous (writes B Bt-nnisonL But surely nothing within recent times lias been more astonishing than the inability ol Buddy Baer to knock out Jack London at Swansea last Monday. That at leas; is the view ot the critics of the capital And that view do T share, if only because of the enormous physical advantage enjoyed by the young and likeable American, and his known capacity to punch with unusual power. On none of his visits to London has the West Hartlepool man shown completely convincing form. Indeed, when he took the ring at the National Sporting Club some months ago, against Larry Gains, he, like the former Empire champion, was dreadfully poor. If I do remember aright, threferee declared “no contest.’ and since Baer on his first bout in this country, which was Jim Wilde, carried himself as a boxer--which London has yet to do—and gave abundant proof that in his right hand he stacked a knock-out, f feared much for London. The last thing I expected of the North Countryman was that he would last out the full distance. I now vote him to be one of the most courageous men who ever drew on a glove. His failure was the failure of a gallant fighter, indeed. But, much as his bravery was to be admired, there was not the least question of the correctness of the verdict given by Mr C. B. Thomas, nor the slightest excuse for the booing that followed the declaration that Baer was the winner. London was not only outpointed by a w'ide margin, but he took enough punishment to put any normal man in dock for a month. A TOUGI-I GUY When the fight was over I took the earliest opportunity to ask Buddy Baei what hi thought about it all. Said he: ’Your fellow' is about the toughest guy I have ever met. Any other man would have taken the count. Honestly. I felt sorry for him, at times afraid of his being seriously injured. There is no sense in beating the life out of the other guy. Fighting is not meant to be a slaughter, and, if it is to be held against me that I did not knock him out, I do not care.

“I won, and that to me is enough. Don’t forget that London so covered up that if I had not been careful, I W'ould have broken my hands. A fighter must necessarily bo vide us. But, so soon as I realised that the fight was mine, I hated to make a sheer chopping-block of him.”

Baer is now waiting anxiously for some other job to be found for him. He is indifferent as to the opposition. He bars no heavyweight. And, so that he might make immediate answer to any cal* is keeping in regular training. There is a deal that he has yet to learn; and that he realises. But of all the youngsters I consider him to be the most promising. He is the keenest possible student, and free from obsessions. He does not should his certainty that some day in the no distant future lie will beat the world. The most he ventures is that lie hopes to climb to the top. f-Ic has every reason to be pleased with his visit to Swansea. With the guarantee, plus a percentage, of the gate receipts, lie returned to London the richer by the better part of a £IOOO. I doubt whether he got so mum for a fight in the Slates > Small wonder lie is in no hurry to go back home.

DOYLE’S BIG MATCH Since last I wrote all details of a fight between Jack Doyle and Gunar Barlund, the Finn on 28th June at Earl’s Court, have been satisfactorily settled. I understand it will cost £4OOO. Peter Kane, who has contracted to fight Petit Biquet on the same night, will be paid £IOOO The whole promotion w'ill probably involve an expenditure of £OOOO. Already there is a big demand for places at the ringside. Barlund is at present holidaying in Finland. Paul Damski, his manager, who also has an interest in Maurice Strickland, engaged to fight Frank Hough, tells me that Barlund has made a complete recovery from the effects of a bad attack of influenza, and is sure to take the ring in the best possible shape. If Barlund is as good as I believe him to be lie will tell us all there is to know shout. Doyle. If the young Irishman wins, he will have few if any doubters. The final fly-weight eliminator between Peter Kane and Jim Warnock, row preparing for Benny Yynch, whom he is to meet on 2nd June at Glasgow in a non-title match, is to take place after all. It will be presented by Johnny Best at Liverpool on 17th June. Meantime. Lon Harvey is out with a challenge to Tommy Farr. Doyle, and Netiscl, and' is willing to wager £SOO on the result of a contest with either of them. If Harvey draws a single badger, I shall be surprised.