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_ • V«. **THE TIMES: TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1920_HARDEST PUNCH JEFFRIES EVER RECEIVED WAS A FRENCH KICKThe general impression seems to. be that when Georges Carpentier faces Dempsey in the ring it will be the first instance of a 1'Venchman fighting for . the world's heavy-weight championship. This is an inaccuracy. Some twenty-one years ago a .Frenchman made a pass at the greatest honors of the ring—a faux pas as it ultimately developed.None other than the incomparable James J. Jeffries defended the honor against the assaults of the gaul who used the la sa.ya.ie method of kicking with the feet, Jeffries confining him-Oself to the orthodox fistic fashion of the modern ringJefT was boxing in Paris with his brother Jack, just previous to the second Sharkey fight, when the manager of the Follies Marigny theatre booked the Grizzly to fight Monsieur Da Blah, la savate champion of France. It was a novel proposition for Jeff who consented to allow his opponent lt;o use hands and feet, while he adhered to strict Queonsbury rules. The big fellow may have enjoyed the novelty, but it' is a significant fact that he never engaged in another of that description. The match was advertised for the world’s championship and the theatre was packed at prices double the usual rate when the contestants squared off for action.Jeff assumed his famous crouch at the bell. The Frenchman balanced himself on his toes like a ballet dancer, with arms folded in front of him. JefT was undecided how to open the fighting but finally began feinting rapidly with his left. Quick as a flash the agile Frenchman pirouetted about the arena, describing several complete circles to the amazement of the bewildere'd JefT. Jeff dropped his hand and laughed outright. But before he could raise them to a guard position again fons Da Blah leaped Into the ftlr, and clearing Jeff's head before the latter could realize It, planted a terrific kick on Jim's chin.One of Da Blah’s seconds howled first blood for his man. The befuddled Jeffries appeared to be pitted against a genuine ring enigma for thefirst time In his career. He glanced over at his corner for instructions, when a yell from his brother called attention to another attack from the Frenchman. Jeffries whirled around in the nick of time, just as Da Blah had started another serial foot raid through space. Jim timed the flight of his 110 pound adversary. and throwing out his right to block another kick, simultaneously hooked his left to Da Blah's chin. The fight ended right there. Jeffries was proclaimed the champion of the universe la savate style and everything.But if you were to quizz Jim Jeffries today about the hardest punch he ever received in a rig he would | more than likely confide to you it ‘ was a punch with a genuine kick— not the sort of kick so commonly used by sport writers in delineating the punching power of some present day ring phenomenon.(By ED HUGHES.)(Copyright 1920—Thompson Feature Service).of Latter Nearly Struck Him Him.Former World’s Champion Fought ^ent Jeff Into Convulsions andon Chin, But Second One
Newspaper Details
Bridgeport Times
Bridgeport, Connecticut, US
Tue, Jul 13, 1920
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Savate M.
NA, 22 Dec 2024
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