BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 184, 21 December 1912, Page 7

BOXING.

DAVE SMITH BACK, THINKS AMERICANS ARE "BULLY." Dave Smith, the light-heavy-weight of Australia, arrived back last week with the news that the Americans are a, "bully" lot, and gave him the glad hand everywhere he went. He says the boxing game in America is practically dead just now. "Talking of Walgast," he said to an interviewer, "brings me to something I know Australians will appreciate. i think Hughie Melicgan would beat the ex-world's champion, but Wolgast isn't the lighter he was before he had appendicitis. He isn't the same man by any means.

"I've been away eight months almost to a day, and although I've lost money on my trip I've enjoyed myself. Everything went wrong while I was away. I couldn't get going good. My luck was right out. " But they treated me well. At tlie National Sporting Club they put me in the five-guinea seats with Lord Lonsdale and Mr. Eugene Corrie. London is truly a wonderful place. It's the greatest place in the world. There is absolutely no comparison between London and New York.

"While in England I saw Jem Driseol! light, lie is tjie most finished lighter 1 have even seen in my iife. lie is beautiful to watch. He does everything without an effort. I also saw Johnny Summers, who is a wonderfully popular boy in England.

"As for what I saw in America —well, T can say that Al Palzer is the best white heavyweight in the world to-day. I think you'll admit that I'm pretty fast as a boxer —well, he's as fast as I am, but he won't try. He hasn't got the fighting brains. When he fought Bombardier Wells he came in with his guard ready, and the Englishman got him. He fell so heavily that his shoulder was torn open, but he got up and won."