OCR Text |
Show Thomas Not Bit Worried Over Fight With Teuton . e By STEVE SNIDER t'nited Press Sports Writer CHICAGO. Nov. 23 Harry Thomas, a hulking, tow-headed prize fighter out of Eagle Bend, Minn., is built like one of the locomotives loco-motives he used to jockey for the Southern Pacific and he hits- about as hard. "Max Schmeling will think he was hit by one of those new streamliners stream-liners when I get through with him In New York December 13," Thomas offered, with a significant glance at his heavily taped left fist. "I don't know what Joe Louis will do against Schmeling Schmel-ing a second time, but I'm going to knock him out." This is the lamb supposedly led to a slaughter as the German 20 in a contest, but he and his Uncle Dan. who used to be a fighter, paid to watch the Teuton box an exhibition exhibi-tion in Los Angeles before he won the title from Jack Sharkey. Dan Thomas persuaded Harry to quit railroading for a time and the lumbering Minnesota heavyweight made his debut in Los Angeles November No-vember IB, 1932, with a first round knockout over Frank Jones, now a Detroit policeman. Haa Experience Five years' experience has failed to polish his boxing. All he does is wade in with both hands flying, taking fivs blows to land one. So far no man has been able to knock him out At 28 Thomas is ss big and awkward awk-ward as he was at Trinity college, Morningside, Iowa, where he was an end in football and member of the wrestling team. After college he moved to the west coast, where he landed a job aa fireman oa the Southern Pacific. "I'm still a fullfledged engineer." Thomas said. "When I get through with this business I'm going back to railroading." belter conditions for his second Schmeling fight with Louis now all the more important because Bomber Joe wears the heavyweight crown Schmeling is convinced he can win back. But what the hangers-on around Chicago's musty gyms can't figure is why did Schmeling pick Thomas? Harry is rough and willing, kicks like a mule with both fists, is big. slow and awkward enough to make any fighter look bad. He has knocked out 80 of 71 opponents and lost only five decisions. Some believe be-lieve Harry's chin is so tough Schmeling may hurt his hands. He's Not Worried "I was surprised myself when they picked me as Max's warmer-upper." warmer-upper." Thomas grinned. 'Tve never fought much in the east, but I'm not worried." Although it's to be a 15-round bout, Thomas plans to come out swinging as if it were a four-rounder. four-rounder. Schmeling is a slow starter and Thomas hopes to "pinch him so hard and often he'll stay alow I until it's all over." Harry never has seen Schmeling |