Strong Boy

Last week began the long-winded process of arranging a fight for the contemporary strongboy James J. ("Gene") Tunney. The champion, returning from a camp in Maine, gave an interview on literature to a reporter in the train and stated that he had spent his last evening in camp reading Richard III. In Manhattan, one Humbert J. Fugazy approached him with an offer to fight "the outstanding heavyweight contender" (Jack Delaney or possibly Jack Sharkey) at the Polo Grounds, Tunney to receive 37 1/2% of an estimated $1,500,000 gate.

Said Tunney: "There are many angles to consider before I make a decision on my next fight. . . .

I will fight for the promoter who offers the best show, the biggest crowd and the most money. . . ."

Old men, reading this statement, sniffed, spat, quoted a statement, issued to the press under similar circumstances by Mr. Tunney's predecessor, John L. Sullivan. "I'll fight any -- of a -- with two fists, any place, any time, for a good cigar. . . . All the training I need is a haircut and a shave. . . "