BOXING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 137, 12 June 1931, Page 5

BOXING

OLDEN TIME BATTLES FIGHTERS’ POPULARITY. INFLUENCE OF JAMES CORBETT. The popularity of a boxer usually died when he drops his title. Some i’cw never become very popular. When Paddy Ryan beat Joe Goss for the title back in 1880, after eighty-seven rounds of fighting with the bare knuckles, Paddy did not become very popular. There was not much interest taken m the lighting game in. those days. But later, when he met and lost to John L. Sullivan, John immediately became the talk of the sporting world and for many years was the idol of the boxing fans (says a writer iu the Knockout). While Sullivan was not liked personally by many lovers of the game, he was always greatly admired for his ag

gressive style and honest fighting. Sulu van in 1883 started a tour of the United States lasting about nine months, oiler ing any man £290 w'hom he could not defeat in four rounds. During that time he knocked out about fifty men. This tour made him more popular than ever. John s popu larity increased immensely until Sep tember, 1892, when he met defeat m twenty-one rounds with Jim Corbett. Few of the old country Irishmen living in America at that time gave Corbett the slightest chance against the mighty John, but Corbett beat him with out receiving a single dangerous punch. Corbett’s clever style was a re vela tion to the boxing fans of the whole world, and he immediately became exceedingly popular, and is to this day the most popular champion America ever owned. There was such a contrast between John and Jim, both in and out of the ring, that Corbett, by his gentlemanly behaviour and magnetic appearance, gave boxing the greatest boost it has ever had in this country. ... His wonderful science ot boxing was copied by many aspiring young boxers, and much of the old school of slugging and aggressiveness was lost sight of in their earnestness to learn. The direct results of this soon began to bear fruit, and in a few’ years’ time there were many clever and scientific boxers in every class. After Corbett was defeated by Bob Fitzsimmons at Carson City, Nev., in 1897, he still retained most of his popularity, and does so to this day. Sullivan, w’hile popular as a fighter, made few friends by his brusque ways, and many were glad he lost; but he still retained a certain amount of admiration with all.

Corbett, who was always a great mixer, still became a great attraction whenever he appeared in a contest after losing his title. During the time between boxing contests he took up stage w’ork, and surprised his many friends by his clever work on the stage, which he still follows, and is entertained by his many friends whenever he appears. Bob Fitzsimmons was another great fighter, as well as both Corbett and Sullivan. Bob was always admired as a great fighter, but never became very popular with the boxing fans. Rough, simple, and honest out of the ring, he made little success on the stage, which was entirely out of his sphere. In the ring he was a hard, steady fighter, with nothing of the flash or finish of Corbett. Carrying a deadly punch at all times, cunning and game, Bob was perhaps one of the coolest fighters that ever fought, giving the contest little thought until he entered the ring. Bob cared little for tho praises of the public. While he enjoyed what little he got, he never sought it. Old Fitz w-as a rough practical joker with his friends, and took a childish delight in springing them, often to their discomfort. But he was kind-hearted just the same. He was a poor dresser, and gave many a laugh to his friends when he walked down the street dressed in his best with his high silk hat cocked over either one ear or hanging on the back of his bald head, his shoulders dropped, a cane hanging over his arm, and gloves in his hand. Jack Dempsey remains an idol despite the fact he lost his crown. Dempsey was more popular in defeat than Tunney was in victory. The Manassa Mauler is still an idol —probably even greater than any other fighter we have ever had. So popular is Jack that he is kept busy all the time in filling dates at the different clubs acting as a referee —no champion ever held the crowd as Dempsey does. SARRON SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN BOXING WELL RETURN. TO THE STATES Since his return to America after his New Zealand trip, Pete Sarron has been boxing with great success, and he received high praise w’hen he brilliantly outpointed Mickey Genaro at the end of last April. Genaro is a well-performed boy who has to his credit a decision over Battling Battalipo, featherweight champion of the world, so that “Petey, ” as the American papers call him, is well on the way to “big time” fighting. “Percy used every punch in his wallop vocabulary, left hooks, right crosses and uppercuts, but it was only the sheer ruggedness of Genaro that saved the fight from having a knock-out, says an