British Confidence In Fighting Ability Of Petersen

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 11

British Confidence In Fighting Ability Of Petersen

HOPE FOR WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP

•THE fact that Jack Petersen beat . Larry Gains is not in itself enough to raise- hopes that the world’s championship may at last come back to Great Britain (points out a writer in a London paper). Gains has never been ranked high in America, and he is welt past his best, as has been shown in his defeats by Don McCorkindale, Walter Neusel, and Len Harvey. It is true that none of these beat Gains so decisively as Petersen did. but they themselves, perhaps unfairly, have no great reputation in the United States. McCorkindale was badly beaten by King Levinsky, who has himself . lost to Massare'. Neusel, who made something of a name in the States, has lost it by his recent fight with Max Schmelling, now considered a back number. Harvey could not win against middleweights on the other side of the Atlantic.

But the way in which Petersen won showed the great improvement he has made. His defence and his judgment were better' than ever before, although he was meeting the most skilful boxer he has yet encountered, a man who outpointed Camera by sheer cleverness only a couple of years ago. Against Pettjfer, 18 months or so ago, Petersen was a wild, erratic slogger, almost without defence. If he continues to improve at the same rate, the world’s championship should be within his reach, for Petersen is what, the Americans call a colourful fighter, and would probably be given a- chance for the title. Twenty-four is the youngest age at which the championship has been won, and Petersen is , only 23; so he has plenty of time to put on the extra poundage that he will need against the bjg Americans he will have to meet. Petersen has the height, reach, hitting power, and ability to take punishment, but sheer weight and strength seem to be needed as well in the rougher style of'fighting on the other side. The meeting between Petersen and Gains was painfully like the fight in Jack London’s story "A Piece of Steas in the triumph of youth over age. In essentials, the contest went on similar lines.' We had the skilful veteran blocking 'the furious onset of his opponent, then, the sudden tremendous punch, surprising and shaking .the young man but failing to stop him. In Londons story it.'was a right hook, in the PetersenGains contest a left hook, but in effect it . was the same. Then there was a gradual tiring .of the older man until he could.no longer bear the weight of his own -ai;ms held up to guard, tne last desperate flurry of attack failing to overcome the recuperative power ot youth, and then the end. It is to be hoped that Gains did better financially out of the fight than the unfortunate Hero of Jack London’s tale! Petersen must have learned a great deal in his fight with Gains. As Gams can have little or no hope of reversing the result in any future contest, it would be an excellent thing for Petersen if his late opponent could be induced to train with him for a time and teach'him the ringcraft and tricks of the trade that will be needed in tne United States. Gams has long and wide experience, and it would probably be a consolation to him for lus defeat

if he could see Petersen attain a world title. It appears that Hamas and Lasky have been matched to meet soon in what is described as an eliminating contest for the heavyweight championship. Probably the winner will meet Camera, but there is a fair possibility that Petersen would be preferred if he could establish a claim by beating Neusel or Schmeling decisively. He will make a mistake if he fights Loughran, now 32 or so, for the American is a clever boxer, of a-type similar to Harvey, but bigger, who might very likely beat him, while a win would merely be taken to show that Loughran was on the down-

grade. It is unlikely that Camera will be given another chance to win the world title if some new competitor can be found. The big man was never a popular champion, and his defeat by Max Baer is considered in America to have been so decisive as to deprive-him of a claim to another chance. Baer is not likely to defend the title until next year, and it is possible that by that time Petersen may be the accepted challenger.

Petersen is likely to meet Cook again in the near future. Although he should get useful experience from this match, and should win much more easily than at their first meeting, it will not take him any further. Cook was beaten by Camera in a . couple of rounds, and a win over him will count for nothing in the States. Up to the present Petersen has, on the whole, been wisely handled, and in him we have at last a first-class British heavyweight.

It is reported that the form shown in Scottish club Rugby so far this season has been unsatisfactory. Leading teams of last season have been beaten, but it is remarked that while this may be to the good from one point of view it is not reassuring'to note that it has been accomplished by spoiling tactics, not by superior ability.