The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-19
Fight Legislation of To-Day Fa-
vors Six and Ten Round Goes
Over Longer Battles.
INNOVATION SEEMS POPULAR.
Speed and Fast Fighting Promised
in Brief Fights Attracts
the Followers of
the Ring.

| In every city where boxing bouts are per
mitted tendency toward shorter distance
| and a less number of rounds In fights Il
noticeable OF the various boxing center:
| to-day. San Francisco and this city ar,
| the only points where bouts have been SEIZED
| uled lately, exceeding ten rounds in length
| This tendency is 80 marked as to call gen.
| eral comment among followers of the ring
| At Philadelphia. which is the boxing cen
| ter Of the East just at present. six rounds
| Is the limit. while special permits only
| enable promoters around Pittsburg to &c
| four rounds more, or ten in all. Detroit
tights are limited to ten rounds and Nil.
waukee promoters have seen fit OF late to
cut their bouts down to that length
OF cities lately closed to the scrappers
Chicago is endeavoring TO get back in the
game, and seems perfectly satisfied to ac-
cept six-round fights. New York promoters
have lost so much confidence in the r-.,-
sage OF bill favorable to the sport ..-t
their recent demands are for bouts of bat
ten rounds in length, instead of the twenty
five rounds they were at first seeking. This
leaves but San Francisco available as a
States.
Fort Erie although situated in Canada. is
to all intents and purposes an American
club. but the tendency toward short bouts
Is noticeable in the United States alone, so
long fights can still be pulled off across the
border. OF cities In this section of the
country. where fighting is now temporarily
shut down. st. Louis and Louisville Will
both probably revive the long distance route
in the near future
Assuming that Chicago gets some lesisla :
ton which will enable bouts to be pulled Oft
there, as seems possible. fights of ten rounds
or less Will then be the vogue at Chicago,
Philadelphia. Detroit Pittsburg and MI
waukee. This latter city is not much of q
factor In the game, but the clubs repre-
than half of the fight centers will soon be
held down to short contest, If fights are per-
mitted at all.
Is this tendency towards short bouts going
TO in1ure the game or benefit it? That Is a
question now under discussion by sport
lovers, ana some strong arguments are pre-
senfea on either SIDE As far as the gem
erence for bouts seems largely matter Of
education: in cities where short bouts are in
vogue ,o Inc public bile sWears by them. while in
thing under fifteen rounds is looked at
askance.
The fighters themselves however. and the
sporting men who make critical study Of
the game argue both FOR and against the
short bout. Although ehs city has always
seemed to favor the longer routes. 1t is
none the less certain that short contests
are slowly but surely coming in favor. and
popular.
Arguments against short fight are that
man can enter the ring and make a showing
above his ability merely by staying away
from a stronger opponent. The opportuni-
ties for doing this for six rounds. it "a
Claimed, are better than in a longer fight.
1t is also claimed that no arduous co,,rs,
OF training being essential as for longer
nght. boxers improperly conditioned can
manage to last through six rounds and get
money by four-flushng
Arguments in favor of the affairs are that
snort nights have to be faster and harder:
thas a man must be in action from start
ana that short fight, calling out, as Il
Goes the best efforts IN a man r.:.hin a
rev rounds. affords a better exhibit thsa
a long-drawn-out contest.