THE CHINA MAİL, JUNE 12, 1939.
URCHINS' BRAWL IN EAST END OF NEW YORK LED TO
THE RAFT
Α
By Leo Fuller
SAGA
OF
GEORGE
AND ROSENBLOOM
door, some
a go, having made a date for the next
Maxie suddenly remembered day. Just as he reached the
thing and yelled:
BOUT seventeen years ago
crowd of young urchins were playing dice on an East Side pave ment in New York City. They were tough kids, as indeed they had to be in that district, even to exist at all. Suddenly the game broke up when one aimed a punch at another. In a twinkling a lively brawl
Was
!"
him.
do well in his new career. He want building, he saw a crowd around, toge ed to justify his friend's belief in ther with several police. He pushed And in the sixth round he did his way through, and stood aghast it! A furious right hand punch dump- as he saw the body of Scogny lying. "Hey, mister, what's your name?" ed his foe to the boards for the full beside one of the billiard tables, blood "Raft," came the reply... "George count, and he and George did an In- running from his head; He had died Raft.
dian war dance of delight in their from a gangster's bullet, intended for And that was how Maxie Rosen- corner, after the referee had raised somebody else. Young Stribling was bloom, one time light heavy-weight his hand.
killed in a motor cycle accident after champion of the world, and George That night they sat in a cafe until boxing with Rosenbloom;. a good Raft, millionaire film star, first met. the early hours of the morning, talk- middle-weight called Jimmy Delaney in progress, and three of them gang- a tenth rate night club, dancing hours ambitions.
In those days George was 'hoofing in ing of their plans, dreaming of their died of concussion, the day following The purple streaks of his meeting with Max; and the great ed up against one fifteen-year-old, a night for a few pounds a week, dawn glowed from behind the sky- Tiger Flowers, negro middleweight and proceeded to give him a pasting. Little did he realize when he watched scrappers before they rose to go home. champion, died on the operating table
But this kid had grit, and he got kid was to smash his way to world little sadness, as Raft had said
that street brawl that the dirty little Yet Maxie's joy was tinged with a shortly after his bout with Rosenbloom. up off the floor and waded in, smash boxing honours; little did he dream him: ing with his grubby fists. One of his ag- that he himself would rise to stellar gressors went down; then another, but heights of film fame and become one the third nailed him on the chin and he of Hollywood's greatest stars. fell against the wall, bringing пр But never will either of them for with a nasty crack on the back of his
got drinking strong coffee that head. At that moment an Irish cop
in
to
+
hove in sight, and the other kids dis. small, East Side cafe so many years I've been working for, and I start next lost the title to Bob Olin, he
appeared like magic.
The other lad followed dizzily, helped on by painful prods of the policeman's truncheon. He was holding one hand to the back of his head, and trying to staunch a cut eye with a handker- chief held in the other, when he heard a "voice saying:
"You can fight, kid. Ever do any boxing?"
invited.
ago.
Raft was as good as his word, and he brought out all young Rosenbloom's latent boxing talent. He guided him through his ama- teur days, when he fought as much as five times in a single evening, once scoring five knock-outs in two hours!
he still
Incredible Career tell you.
"Listen, Maxie. I've something to
Texas Guinan has offered ble career.
However, Maxie has had an incredi- He now lives in Holly- me 50 bucks a week to dance in her wood, where he is under a film con- floor show. It looks like the break
tract at £200 a week; although week. The only thing is well it boxes, and there are few who can stand means you and me can't be around up to him when it comes to together in the same way. I won't science; he owns a night club called have the time to manage you. But Slapsie Maxie's, which is crammed I've got a friend of mine to take you with stars every night. under his wing. He'll look after you alright."
pure
An extraordinarily witty character,
yet
A
he
Thus Raft and Rosenbloom dissolv- Maxie is beloved by Hollywood's deni- He is race horse crazy, and ed their brief partnership, although zens. At last it became imperative that they were to remain friends always, has dropped about a quarter of Max should earn his own living,
Max was to go on until he had ham- million dollars on the turf, as Young Maxie Rosenbloom looked up times were hard with his family, and mered Jimmy Slattery to defeat for always grins and starts again next to see a slim, dark young man, dress- he realized that his best weapons in the the world's light heavyweight cham- day. ed in Broadway style, regarding him battle of life were his flying fists. Again pionship; George Raft was to dance in Naturally George Raft was at the quizzically.
Raft was with him, and in his corner on the world's greatest night clubs, was ringside for all of Maxie's big fights, "Come and have a coffee, son," he the memorable night when he had his to teach the Charleston to the Prince but the greatest delight for both of them lies in the fact that they are first professional contest, George was of Wales until Hollywood beckoned. In the small cafe the dark young behind him, attending to him deftly
Rosenbloom's career has been pack- once more living in the same neigh- man, his carefully parted, glossy hair in the corner, whispering "feint him, ed with incident and often tragedy. borhood, and that they can sit sun- told Maxie that he had done a bit of kid. Watch his left hook! He swings Four fighters have died following con- ning themselves on the sides of George boxing himself, and that, if he liked, it wide.
tests with him. The first was a friend Raft's swimming pool, and talk You can nail him with a
of his named Joe Scogny; they were the days when a little street kid and he'd introduce him to an amateur club right hand when he lets it go.' and give him a few wrinkles in fight-
neighbourhood rivals in boxing. and a young dancer sat in an East Side Justifies Belief
one night Rosenbloom beat Scogny cafe and talked over a cup of strong ing science. A little overawed by the magnificence of his newly found friend, Those six rounds were an agony of over six rounds. They made a date coffee. Maxie accepted the offer, and shook mental worry and physical strain to to meet in a billiard hall the next
He wanted
As to afternoon.
Maxie neared hands with the other, as he rose to Maxie Rosenbloom.
GOLF
British Ladies' Title: Contest Starts To-day
London, May 28. Mrs. An-1 drew Holm, of Troon (holder), will not defend her British Ladies' title at Royal Portrush on June 12, etc. While the draw was made yesterday at the offices V. of the Ladies' Golf Union, Lon- don, it was announced that Mrs. Holm had been obliged to with- draw from the championship owing to the illness of her mother-in-law. This gives Miss Birmingham, of Milltown, walk-over into the second round. bye.
Another notable scratching declared Mrs, B. Carrick, Royal Norwich, bye. was that of the young American, Miss Mrs. Randel, Milltown, bye. Grace Amory, of the Women's Nation- Mrs. J. B. Walker, Island Malahide, al Golf and Tennis Club Miss M. Hodg-bye. son (Gosforth) thus has a walk-over Miss Nan Baird, Prestwick St, Ni- futo the second stage.
cholas, v. Mrs. H. Smith, Sundridge There were only 79 entries-60 few-Park. er than last year. The draw makes a Miss J. Hill, Camberley Heath, bye. final between Miss Jessie Anderson Miss M. B. Fitzgibbon, Greystones, and Miss Pam Barton, both former V. Miss J. Henderson, Royal Wimble- winners, a strong possibility. Both don. have received a bye into the second round in opposite halves of the draw. Miss Anderson's chief rival is likely to be Miss Clarrie Tiernan, the Irish in- ternationalist, who is drawn just above
Miss K. Garnham Naze Bye.
Miss M. Thompson, Royal Portrush, v. Miss Z. G. B. Davis. Rorcester and Cobham Park.
Miss M. Evershed, Handsworth, bye. Miss S. MacIlwaine. Royal Belfast, Mrs. W. H. Wood, Manchester. Mrs. J. B. Challen, Blackwell, bye. Miss J. Kerr, Tandridge, v. Mrs. M. F. Bridge, Burnham and Berrow.
Miss S. Gibbs, Newquay, bye. Miss D. Goldsworth, Birkdale, bye. Miss L. B. Clark, Silverdale, bye. Miss J. M'Lintock, Royal Wimble- don, bye.
Miss C. Tiernan, Coun Louth, bye. a. Miss Jessie-Anderson, Craigie_Hill,
her.
Miss B. Jackson, Chislehurst, bye. Mrs. J. Gage, Sunningdale, v. Miss B. Henderson, Prestwick St. Nicholas.
Mrs. T. Marks, Malone, bye. Miss Ellis. Royal County Down, v. Mrs. J. B. Watson, Gullano.
Miss T. Frame, Troon Bentinck, bye. Miss E. Kippax, Birkdale, bye. Mrs. Mackean, Gullane, bye." Mrs. G. G. Thornton, Newara-Eliya,
Miss Barton is in the more difficul section. It includes Miss Elsie Cor- lett, English champion, and Mrs. E. Rhodes, former Yorkshire champion. Miss Gloria Minoprio, the one-club Ceylon, bye. player, has a difficult first round match - Mrs. H. F. Clark, Royal Portrush, against Miss Peggy Edwards, 20-year- bye.
old Lancashire champion, and former Miss C. MacGeagh, Royal Portrush, girl title-holder.
FIRST KOUND Miss S. Bryan Smith, Llandrinddo Wells, v. Miss Maureen Rattle, Fern down.
bye.
Miss Gildea, Foxrock, bye.
Miss B. Pockett, Worthing, bye."- Mrs. J E. Fletcher, Hermitage, bye. Miss Grace Amoy, Women's Nation-
CLOWNER DISQUALIFIED
The racing public will be sur- prised to learn that Clowner (Mr. H. J. A. Hearne up), which plac- ed second to Dekko (Mr. L. B. Chao) in the Lantao Handicap at Saturday's race meeting, was dis- qualified by the Stewards for bor- ing following a protest after the
race.
The official result of the race is therefore:-
1.. Dekko (Mr. Chao), 2. Gold Coin (Mr. S.
Liang).
C.
3. Night View (Mr. H. C.
Pih).
The prizes in the "big sweep" decided on this race are not af- fected as Jockey Club always de- cide parimutuel and cash sweeps on the order past the post. Only the stakes money and jockey and pony records are affected.
the
al Golf and Tennis, U.S.At, v. Miss M. Hodgson, Gosforth.
Miss E. Pentony, Hermitage, bye. Miss Birmingham, Milltown, v. Mrs. A. M. Holm, Troon.
Mrs. E. M. Rhodes, Harrogate, bye. Mrs. H. V. Newton, Birkdale, v. Miss O'Neil Donnellon, Milltown.
Mrs. A. H. H. Gilligan, Roehampton, bye..
Mrs. B. T. O'Reilly, Foxrock, v. Miss S. Moore, Milltown.
Mias J. Hamilton, Tandridge, bye. Mrs. H. Guedalla, Walton Health,
bye.
Miss M. Smyth, Royal County Down, bye.
Mrs. Burrell, Knole Park, bye.
Miss J. Donald, North Berwick, bye, Mrs. A. C. Workman, Royal Belfast, bye...
Miss N. Kearney, Lurgan bye, Miss E. Corlett, Royal Lytham and St. Annes, bye.
Miss Joy Winn, Aldeburgh, bye.'
(COPYRIGHT)
To-morrow-Talked Into the Title.
FIRST FRENCH GOLF WIN
Morfontaine, To-day.-In
of
the
sixth match between France and Britain, France were successful by 5 mat- ches to 4 and thus registered their first win since the inception of the contests in 1934.-Reuter.
annual international golf
•
S. CHINA SAMPAN RACE
Only six persons entered the which was arranged sampan race by the South China Athletic Asso- ciation at North Point yesterday.
The distance was one mile, from the bathing pavilion to the Taikoo Sugar Refinery and back.
The winner was Wong Tse-hung, followed by Chu Wai-lum and Chan Dick-ming. Time 16 min. 45 secs.
Miss D. I. Clark, Formby, v. Miss H. Nimmo, Falkirk Tryat.
Miss Purvis - Russell Montgomery, Elie and Earslferry, bye.
Lady Eddis, Aldeburgh, v. Miss M. M.Robertson Durham, Gullane.
Miss I. Stuart, Royal Portrush, bye. Miss G. D. Minoprio, Littlestone, v. Miss P. Edwards, Manchester.
Mrs. H. J. Percy, Alnmouth, bye. Miss J. M'Culloch, West Kilbride,
bye.
Miss K. Clark, Troon, bye.
Mrs. M'Gowan, Rowlands Caste, bye, Miss J. D. Firth, Formby, bye..
Mrs. M. Brooks, Morecambe, bye. Mrs. H. J. Couper, North Berwick,
bye.
Mrs. I. Mills, Berkshire, byo; - Lady K. Cairns, Bath, bye.
Miss Pam Barton, Royal Mid-Surrey,
bye.
Miss C. M. Park, Gullano; bye.