HIRONAKA BOUT HERE AROUSES KEEN INTEREST

Unusual Success of Japan's Son is Cause; Will Battle Perry Israel in Crystal Pool Show.

The Japanese, being an enterprising race, have tried many American games, but boxing has been a serious hurdle for them.

That is why the coming of Frankie Hironaka, an Osaka-born youngster who now lives at Sacramento, to meet Perry Israel here Wednesday evening, is attracting more than usual interest.

In fact, you can count the successful Japanese boxers on your fingers, and have your thumbs and a few other digits left over.

Probably the first Japanese boxer of any importance to show in this country came to California a score of years ago. His name was Watanabe -- first name unpronounceable. After being buffeted about for a couple of years by American boxers, he returned to Tokyo and opened a school for would-be champions.

A few years later Watanabe sent five of his best to Moose Tausig, who operates a gymnasium in San Francisco.

Two were deported for some reason or another. Two more boxed with varying success. One, Maguchi, won a number of bouts in California, and the other, with a half dozen syllables and three or four ks in his name, did almost as well.

The star of the quintet, however, was Hironaka. He remained, and made his home in Sacramento, which has quite a Japanese colony.

NOT RUGGED ENOUGH.

Oriental boxers, as a general rule, are not rugged enough to stand up against American ringsters.

There have been a few good Chinese boxers, but not many Japanese.

Small bones, small hands and a skillful trend, rather than muscular, makes then turn to other games.

In baseball and basketball, for instance, Nipponese have become quite proficient. They are also excellent fishermen, ardent golfers, and clever at billiards.

If the game requires skill and touch, the Orientals shine.

Filipinos are about the only race from the Far East that has turned out good fighters. Lads from the Philippines are born fighters, although their small statures restrict them to the slighter divisions.

WATERMAN TELLS STORY.

Probably the best story told on Oriental boxers comes from San Francisco. Joe Waterman is the bearer.

Ah Wing, a Chinese, was fighting Cocky O'Brien. San Francisco bantam.

Wing was boss in the first round, dancing around the slower O'Brien and cutting him to pieces. During the rest period, one of the Irishman's seconds sneaked around the ring and tied Wing's queue to the ropes.

The gong rang for the second round, and Wing sprang from his chair. His queue held him prisoner.

O'Brien rushed across the ring, hit the Chinaman on the chin, and knocked him out.

That happened back in 1906, before the days of state rules and commissions, so O'Brien was awarded the victory.