Schmeling was a smiling, handsome youngster, six feet of gangling brawn, a perfect specimen of physical fitness despite the poor living conditions in Germany at the time. He was not present to box that night. He had come to see his friend Otto Herse, later the champion’s sparmate and German lightweight champion, engage in a three round contest. All the amateurs received an equivalent in U.S. currency of two dollars for expenses with an additional two for each winner. This was given them in lieu of prizes since the lads were hungry; food was scarce and those in control informed me that the money was distributed to give the boys an opportunity to purchase food. That’s really what brought out so many competitors. It was like handing out a meal ticket to each. Buelow, standing at my side as I spoke to Schmeling, said that in the decade following the war, he had not come across a finer boxer nor harder hitter. He raved about Max’s boxing talent. “Schmeling,” he said, “has everything a boxer needs to reach the top.” He had taught Max the rudiments of boxing, watched him clean up the amateur field and had then taken over his management when he turned professional in 1924. I asked Buelow how long Max had been fighting. “Two years as an amateur and two as a professional,” he replied. When Max became a pro, his advancement was rapid. In 1926 he fought two draws for the light heavyweight title with the champion, Max Diekmann, won it the following year and a few months later carried off the German heavyweight crown. “He’s growing fast, Nat,” said Buelow. “I think he will be a heavyweight in another year. If you can bring him to America, you will be delivering to Mr. Rickard the next world heavyweight champion, and I will let you share in his management.” At this stage, Schmeling scaled 171 pounds. I liked Buelow, who spoke English and I promised to do what I could, but informed him that I had never managed a boxer and had no intentions of accepting such a post now. I realized that Buelow was one of the best judges of boxers in Europe and my curiosity was aroused after he had spoken in such glowing terms of Max. I was eager to see Schmeling in action against a top pugilist before trying to sell him to Rickard. Eleven days after my arrival in Germany, August 24, I had my chance. It was the second drawn battle between Schmeling and Diekmann for the light heavyweight crown. I saw a powerful hitter and expert boxer perform. Though he failed to win the title, the evidence of his fine boxing assets were on view that night. I liked his general work. I sent a message to Rickard that I thought I had found the man for whom he was hunting. I realized as did Buelow that Schmeling would soon outgrow the light heavy ranks and be ready to tackle men in the higher division. I cabled Rickard: “Have discovered an excellent fighter. Suggest cable round trip tickets for him and manager. Willing to come to America if guaranteed three fights minimum purse $10,000.”