The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-26
THE BOUT POSTPONED.
mysterious Billy" Smith Alleges
That He Wrenched His Ankle
and Would Be Unable to Go
Into Ring Monday Night.

The boxing bout that was to have
been decided in Scranton tonight be-
tween Jim Judge and Mysterious
Billy" Smith has been POSTPONED one
week, until Monday, oct. 3. Hundreds
of patrons of the manly art have been
disappointed by this announcement,
which was made public verbally Satur-
day night and which was published
broadcast yesterday.
The American Sporting club through
its manager and matchmaker Jack
Skelly, issued the following statement
concerning the postponement:
"On Thursday afternoon l received
from Smith a telegram stating he had
hurt his foot. and asking If it was pos
sibe to postpone the contest for a few
days. I was in Scranton at the time
but went Immediately to New York,
saw Smith and found that his ankle
was slightly swollen, from a wrench
sustained while boxing with his spar
ing partner, Johnny German.
Under these conditions there was
nothing to do but arrange for a post
poned date, Monday, Oct. 3, as Smith
could not be blamed for his unwilling
ness to box on one foot against so good
man as Judge. Consequently, Smith
lost his forfeit of $3.50, but Judge would
not accept the money under the cir
cumstances. I can assure the patrons
of the American Sporting cub there
will be no further hitch and that the
men will meet on Monday. oct. 3.
"Those who have purchased reserved
seats may. if they wish, return their
tickets and receive back their money,
or they may hold the tickets, which are
| good for the new date"
Persons acquainted with the matter
attribute Smiths request to reasons
other than wrenched ankle. 1t is
known that the ankle has been weak
for several months. but 1t has not been
serious enough to prevent him from
| meeting several men. He has worn an
! elastic bandage over the injured mem
Der while in the ring and has suffered
! no inconvenience thereby. There is
reason to believe that Smith learned
from reliable sources that in Judge he
had a difficult problem on hand
Further Smith was so informed very
recently and after he had neglected tC
properly train for a meeting with such
| a good one.
Fortunately for Smith, he did wrench
his ankle slightly. His statement, how
ever, that the injury would prevent
him from boxing tonight is undoubt'
edly a subterfuSe for the purpose o.
giving him weeks extra time to ge
in condition. His word for 1t, how
ever. could not be questioned and tht
American club could not do otherwise
than submit. Judge, on the other hand
had a right to take the $3.50 forfeit
money and refuse to make new date
But he declined to do this.
In view of the outcome OF the affair
patrons of the club are satisfied tina
its manager. Skelly, has acted honor
ably in the affair and made the bes
arrangement possible.
Judge was introduced Saturday nigh
to the audience at the Gaiety theateI
whore Bobby Dobbs spared three ex
hibition rounds with Tom Sharkev
The introductions, though quit
informal and unnecessary where Judg
is so well known, was made by Tor
O'Rourke, Sharkey's manager, who an
nounced the One-Week postponement o
the contest with Smith Judge receive
an ovation.
There was a crowded house on tn
strength of the announcement prev
ously made that Sharkey and Dobh
woud go three rounds. Despite tn
| contrast between Sharkey's huge an
muscle-knotted figure and the colore
boxers slight frame and light weigh
/ they put up an interesting set-to. Th
audience was Highly pleased with tn
entertainment