BRITISH BOXING.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 328, 8 January 1937, Page 3

BRITISH BOXING.

TRAINING WRONG. “Have Not Produced A Champion For Years.” James J. Johnston, manager of Madison Square Gardens, who went to England for the Harvey-Lewis fight, had some straight words to say about the methods of British boxing managers. “You haven’t produced a heavyweight champion for years for the very good reason that British managers try to make their youngsters do too much too quickly,” he said. “It takes four years to make a bricklayer. It takes a good many years to make a first-class fighter. Erit he hat got to be nursed, and avaricious managers will not wait. The striplings are ruined with gruelling matches that are too long and too stiff. That’s why they don’t reach the high spots. “I hav£ seen a good many English boxers* come over to America. We always welcome them, for they are game and give value for the dough. But their training has always been so bad that the kids never stood a real chance. I’m looking for some lightweights and featherweights now. That’s where your boys excel.” Mr Johnston sums up the ingredients that go to make a champion very simply. First, he must fight to eat; then, 'when he is made, lie eats to fight. Braddock had to fight tq eat. Johnston picked him off the relief roll at the docks and made him world champion within a year. Here is his opinion in brief of the fighters of to-day. Braddock: Too old. Schmeling: Any first-class man will lick him. Joe Louis: Overrated. He can’t avoid a good right hand, and he can’t take it on the temple. Petersen: Gave value for the money, but he wasn’t good enough.