1937-06-22 — Page 21

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 22, 1937.

LOUIS--BRADDOCK FIGHT TO-NIGHT

NEGRO SENSATION IS FAVOURED

SCHMELING GIVEN "RAW".

DEAL BY PROMOTERS

(By "REFEREE")

THE

HE most interesting fight boxing has ever known since the days when Jack Johnson held the world heavyweight crown (1911-1915) will take place to-night in Chicago, where James J. Braddock, veteran holder of the world title, which he wrested from Max Baer, will defend his crown against youthful, but experienced Joe Louis, sen- sational "Brown Bomber" from Detroit, who has accounted for all the heavyweights with the ex- ception of Max Schmeling, of Germany, by whom he was knocked out last November.

TO-NIGHT'S FIGHT IS ALL THE MORE INTERESTING WHEN ONE COMES TO WEIGH THE FACTS LEADING UP TO THE BOUT. THE NEW YORK STATE ATHLETIC COMMIS- SION AND THE ILLINOIS STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION, ARE THE TWO MAIN RULING BODIES IN AMERICA, BOTH OF WHOM COME UNDER THE NATIONAL BOXING ASSOCIA- TION, THESE BODIES RULING THAT A SERIES OF ELIMINATING CONTESTS HAD TO BE HELD BEFORE BRAD- DOCK COULD BE CALLED UPON TO DEFEND HIS TITLE.

Louis entered into the list of prominent contenders after knocking out several second raters in 1934, and then followed a period in which sensation followed sensation. On February 22, 1935, Louis knocked out Lee Ramage in the second round of their 15 round bout, this being the starting point of his meteroic rise to stardom.

47

WB: FORBES,

JOE LOUIS

"Poker Face” Joe Louis, sensational Negro boxer from Detroit, who will meet James J. Braddock, veteran American pugilist, for the world's heavyweight boxing crown to-night at Chicago.

as a result of this "farce," the New York State Athletic Commission, saw fit to fine the world champion $1,000, but not to deprive him of the title! In the meantime. a much disgruntled. Max Schmeling left America for Germany, where he is now awaiting a chance to meet the winner of the Louis-Braddock bout! TWO YEAR'S IDLENESS Braddock has been without real

On June 25 he was

matched Madison Square Garden, when the against Primo Carnera, the German caused a terrific upset by Italian "Man Mountain," who knocking out his Negro opponent in was attempting а comeback the 12th of a 15 round bout. after having lost his crown to

ANTI-NAZI CAMPAIGN Baer in 1934, and Louis startled; Schmeling's chances of a bout the boxing world by knocking out with Braddock for the world title his opponent in the sixth round. were then thought excellent, and opposition ever since the day he He followed up this victory by contracts were signed for them to took the title away from Max Baer, knocking out Kingfish Levinsky meet on June 3 last, but anti-Nazi on June 13, 1935-two years-and in 38 secs. Max Baer,

former propaganda by half the Jews in because of this, his chances to-day world champion, in four rounds, America led to the promoters aban- are not reckoned to be very bright. Paulino Uzcuden, the Basque doning the projected fight as the Louis, on the other hand, has had Woodchopper, who had

several bouts with smaller fry and never gate was certain to suffer.

has kept in fine trim.

been knocked out, in four On June 3 last, Schmeling turned rounds, and Charlie Retzlaff, in up at the Madison Square Garden the first round.

where his fight against Braddock Then followed a lull in his knock was billed, but there was no de- out campaign, and, after much fender, Braddock being in retreat in haggling, he met Max Schmeling at his mountain training quarters and

The above scene shows

world heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock, whispering a few words of encouragement into.

the sensational bout in which the Max Schmeling's ears before "Black Uhlan,” as the German was dubbed, knocked out Joe Louis.

TO-NIGHT'S H WEIGHT CLASSIC

BRADDOCK AIMS FOR QUICK K.O.

BUT LOUIS ALSO CONFIDENT

Chicago, To-day.

form

in

Following Tommy Farr's sensa-

Despite inconsistent tional win over Walter Neusel, of Germany, comes a further blow to training, Joe Louis, the Negro sen- Schmeling, who has now been de-sation, is a three-to-one on favour- prived of the opportunity of meet-ite to beat James J. Braddock, the ing the winner of the Louis-Brad-holder, to-day, and become the first dock fight.

coloured heavyweight champion of American promotion in the box-the world since Jack Johnson. ing world has never been at a lower Louis has shown intense dislike ebb than at the present moment, for the gymnasium, although occa- and reading between the lines of sionally fierce onslaughts against the cabled news by Reuter, United his sparring partners have revealed Press and Trans-Ocean, it is not that he is still susceptible to a right difficult to realise that America hander at the headBraddock's: aims to keep' the title "at home" strongest weapon. and to drop the colour-bar line at the heavyweight throne.

VERY LOW EBB

GREATER SPEED

Louis is punching, harder, but he is sluggish and has critics guessing. Gamblers, fearing he is purposely A few years ago, the question of misleading them, are hedging con- a Negro challenging for the world siderably their wagers made follow- heavyweight title would have been ing earlier adverse reports from bis unthought of by any of the Ameri-training camp. Louis is confident can promoters, but to-day with the of winning very quickly. American heavyweight market at a very low ebb, Louis, as one of the

Braddock, realising the need for strongest contenders for honours, greater speed, has sparred with the has been welcomed with open arms. world champions, Barney Ross and Schmeling, because he was ob- Sixto Escobar in order to sharpen viously much too good for the up. Braddock has seen Louis' last "Brown Bomber" when they clash-five fights and has carefully studied ed, and because he is much better motion pictures of the negro's than Braddock or any of the pre-style. He is confident of a knock sent American heavyweights,, will out victory......... be denied the right so long as there is a dearth of Americans to retain the title.

(Continued on Page 22)

Advance. Eales indicate a million dollar gate, of which Braddock will get 50 per cent. The fight starts at 110 p.m. local time. Reuter