The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-25
Will There Be
More Shows !?
ANDERSON'S PLAN.
Desires to Run a Hlgh-class
Tournament.

In the past week Worcester has been
treated to two boxing tournaments, or,
in the language of the posters announc-
irg the events. entertainments" at
which friendly boxing bouts have been
the principal, if not the only, feature
Such affairs are something unusual; in
fact almost unheard of for Worcester.
Heretofore those who would encourage
boxing exhibitions have been unable to
secure from the city authorities the
necessary permission to run their
shows. This year, however, by agree
ing to run in something besides fistic
encounters, by insuring that every bout
should be of a friendly nature, and by
complying with several other rules, two
athletic clubs of more or less stability
and permanency have managed to get
LICENSES Two tournaments have re-
suited. That boxing is poplar with all
classes of athletic lovers has been fully
demonstrated by the number of persons
who have crowded and iostled each
other into the little rink building to see
the sport.
Since these tournaments have been
held, the question has been frequently
asked, 'tWill any more similar exhibit
tions be allowed?" No one has yet ven
the license board will grant other Ii
lcenses, for nothing of a disorderly ma
ture occurred at either the tournament
one week ago last night, or that of
Thursday evening. But TO continue they
must be conducted along somewhat diff
ferent lines, or sooner or later there
will come clash and a crash. and
shows of that character will receive a
lasting black eye. Those who are pro-
ly short sighted if they believe the city
or the public will long counteuance af-
fairs conducted in the manner of those
already given.
John Anderson, the Brooklyn base
ball player, has been ever since his re-
turn to this city last fall quietly work
Ing UP the scheme of giving a first class
boxing tournament in this city. The
other fellows stole a march on him by
applying for licenses ahead of him, and
John naturally fears that. his chances
of getting a license have been injured,
although not spoiled, from those al
ready held. But if Anderson gets a IL
cense and runs his tournament, he will
offer a program in every way different
from anything attempted by his prede-
cessors.
In the first place, John proposes to
charge 50 cents admission BY stiffen-
/ ing up the entrance fee he will keep out
the ''rabble." the kids and the gang
that invaded the rink last Saturday and
Thursday evenings. Then Anderson will
not let in more people than can be ac-
commodated, thus insuring every man
| the opportunity of seeing what is going
on. Nearly 500 persons We're crowded
into the little building last Thursday
evening. This is a far greater number
than there is provision for, and with
one small entrance the question arises
naturally enough, what would become
of soma of them in case of fire. Again,
smoking would be prohibited, thus
keeping the air comfortably pure in the
ow-studded area.
The greatest changes, however, will
come in the program itself and in the
ring arrangements. BY having a raised
ring, everybody can see the participants
easily. AS contestants, men of Secog-
nized ability Will be billed and will APP
pear. The public will not be asked to
see John Smith of Boston box when it
! is really some local lightweight If An
derson carries on tournament he is
assured of almost certain success. Many
well known men who believe in boxing
but draw the line sharply between box
/ ing and prize fighting, and who went
4 to the ring at one of the preceding tour
lnaments but getting Disguised at the
surroundings vowed they would never
go again, would willingly support such
/ tournaments In a word, Anderson
would cater to an entirely different
class, and therein he would be the win
ner