BOXING AND BOXERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 8

BOXING AND BOXERS

NEW ZEALANDER TO MEET NEUSEL

BOUT FIXED I OK TO-DAY [By Air Mail From Our Own Correspondent] LONDON. 23rd September. In a long talk I had with Mike Jacobs, during my recent stay in New York, he claimed that he had every tighter worth his salt under contract (writes B. Bcnnison). That is not correct. It is a fact that he has made something of a corner in recognised world beaters, but lie has yet to tie up all worth while boxers in the Stales. Abe Feldman, who served as principal sparring partner to Tommy Farr at Long Branch, for instance. He tells me that he would give his cars to come to London. Feldman is much above the average. He has a victory over John Henry Lewis, is in the early twenties, and I should say completely competent to hold his own with all our heavyweights, Farr excluded. And there are several of the lighter classes who, having been shut out by Jacobs, are prepared to come here. You may take it from me that there is not all the money in America for fighters who are striving for front places. The trouble is that the majority are managed by men afraid to travel outside their own neighbourhood, least of all to England, which to them, is a country beyond their comprehension. However, A 1 Delaney, a Canadian heavyweight, who has done most of his fighting in the States and with much distinction, and A 1 Roth, a first-class light-weight, have decided to make the trip, and are to make their appearance at Earl’s Court on 11th October; Roth, I understand, against Jimmy Walsh. As for Delaney, he is indifferent to whatever the opposition. It is hoped they will be followed by others.

STRICKLAND IN TRAINING Maurice Strickland arrived at the beginning of the week, and is now in training for Walter Neusel at Wembley on 19th October. Strickland had a couple of fights in America while I was there, and won both by a knockout. For his tngagement with the German he will receive more money than he was paid for any of his previous fights, something over £I,OOO. Rated strictly according to ability, he is cheap at the price. He is the most improved heavyweight I have seen for years, one of very few who have profited by American experiences. Even Paul Damski, manager of Neusel, allows that the New Zealander has it in him to clear all the decks. Which leaves me somewhat puzzled at the readiness with which Damski agreed to a fight between Neusel and Strickland. The German could not have been found a more difficult match. I doubt whether he will win it, for the reason that Strickland can box with uncommon cleverness and that Neusel cannot. Neusel, judged by first principles, has little to commend him except phenomenal strength and prodigious heart.

I am not one of those who believe that he wilted against Farr. That he met more than his match in the Welshman is true, but it is a fact that when Farr knocked him down he could not get up owing to a buckled leg. Neusel, who is training at Windsor, assures me that, thanks to an operation, he is now thoroughly sound. He will have no alibi on the score of physical fitness if he loses to Strickland.

This is a fight that will decide the fighting future of both men. Strickland will stake a claim to a championship fight with Farr if he beats Neusel. He would bo ill-advised if all goes well with him at Wembley not to be sure that Farr will accept his challenge. Farr will not be hack until shortly before Christmas. That is if there is no alteration in his present plans. And when he returns I hope he will not only make answer to Lcn Harvey, who has backing up to £2.000. hut will tell us that he bars no man. If, in the matter of America, he is disposed to take anything for granted, I shall be surprised. Joe Louis will be kept out of the ring until next, summer, and since Max Schmcling has agreed to fight under Jacobs’ banner for 20 per cent, of the gate, it may be assumed that he will be allowed first crack at the negro.

PROMISING WELTERS Wembley have done well to match .lake Kilrain and Purcell, the accomplished Australian welter, for the 19th of next month. After all I have heard of Purcell I am especially keen to sec him, though, from all accounts, Berg, despite his long and splendid service, will have it that, far from being a back number, he remains chockful of fight. Larry Gains, who has been training regularly for some time, will also appear at Earl’s Court. He may not be the Larry Gains of old, but his wide experience should take him to victory against Rutz, the Frenchman. Swan 7 sea’s Jim Wilde will have an opportunity to appreciate his stock at the expense of Martin, a coloured Deptford young man, who as a middleweight did uncommonly well. Wilde will enjoy a considerable advantage in weight. I am afraid that if he fails London will have little to oiler hirf in the immediate future. As a preliminary to a fight at Wembley with George Odwell, Dave Crowley will meet Gustave Hummcry at Earl’s Court.

George James, an Ebbw Vale Welshman, in make-up strikingly like Jack Petersen was at the beginning of his professional career, having been carefully nursed by Wembley, will be tried out at the Empire Pool against seasoned Alf Robinson, of Manchester, who. it will perhaps be remembered, got a decision over Jack Doyle on a foul. I have carefully watched and studied James. He appeals to me as one of the brightest heavyweight prospects of recent times. Sydney Hulls, however, claims that he has a better in Markwick, a former Army champion. And he believes he has made a rare discovery in Keolibin, a German whom he proposes to match against Eddie Phillips.