The Indianapolis journal., 1903-12-07
GREAT BOON TO BOXERS
FIGHTS At POPULAR PRICES HAVE
DEVELOPED CHAMPIONS.
Unknown Lads Had Their Chance and
Some Became Noted Pugfiists
from Try-Out Nights.

NEW YORK, Dec 5.-"The introduction
of popular prices at boxing shows has done
more to develop champions than anything
1 know off, said a veteran follower OF the
prize ring to-day MANY pugilists who
have been prominent, or who are on Top
to-day. owe their success to this innova-
ton.
"The idea was conceived by Billy New
man during the early days of the Horton
law in New York. Newman ran the ola
Polo Athletic Club at One-hundred-and-
fifty-ffth street and Eighth avenue. he
gave bouts every Saturday night, and the
price Of admission was placed at 90 cents
The idea was big success, and two other
local clubs soon fell in line. These were
the Pelican and Greenwood Clubs, In Soutn
Brooklyn. Newman matched unknown
youngsters in the preliminary bouts, usual
ly limited TO ten rounds, and If they dis
played good form they got chance to ap-
pear in the stellar scraps, which were lor
twenty and twenty-five rounds.
This plan was followed by the two
Brooklyn clubs, and every week some new
fistic star sprang up. 1t was at these three
clubs that Terry McGovern, Kid Carter,
George McFadden, Tommy Sullivan, Tom
my Feltz. Dave and Spike Sullivan, Casper
Leon, Frank Erne, Jack Downey, Harry
Dougherty. who also held this title; jim
my Handler, Billy Rotchford, who after-
ward fought Pedlar Palmer in England
Marty McCue, Tim Callahan, Joe Bernstein,
Harry Harris. Willie Fitzgerald, JACK
O'Brien. of this city; Patsy Sweeney, kld
Mcfarland and others, received their star I.
Other clubs throughout the country TOOK
the idea up, especially at Chicago and Phil
adelphla, with equal success.
"a little over a decade ago unknown box
ers did not have the change to forge TO the
front ranks that they have to-day.
1.-THE amateur ranks turned out number
Of excellent pugilists, who afterward De-
came Professionas among oras the best eds
Pat Cahill Bobby Cunningham, sammy
Kelly. Tim Murphy Jack Skelly and Ed
die Pierce. OF the lot the only one TO show
championship timber was Cal Mccarthy.
He graduated from the old Scottish -Ameri,
can A. G. in Jersey City, and afterwaro
fought George Dixon for the bantam cham
pionship. Their first fight resulted in a
seventy-round draw, and their next was a
victory for Dixon in twenty-five rounds,
which was pretty good for raw amateur
California was and is a fine breeding
ground for champions. However, only In
later years did native talent get an oppor-
tunity to demonstrate its fstic prowess.
In the late sos most of the good pEgilists
came from Australia For instance, there
were the late Peter Jackson, Jim Hall, Joe
Goddard, Bob Fitzsimmons. Billy McCar-
thy. etc. But these men were Dig IeilOWS
and well seasoned.
1.-The Americans emulated their style and
improved upon ii to such an extent that
few OF the Antipodean bruisers were able
to cope with them. Bob FitZsimmons is
the only Australian fighter who Is before
the public to-day, and. although great
pugilist for his age, his last fight. with
George Gardner, is evidence that his won
derful star has really set.
After California the scene of the game
shifted to New Orleans in the Olympic
Club. which is still green in the memory
of the sports as the place where John L.
| Sullivan met his Waterloo. Then came
| the old Coney Island Athletic Club. There
| all of the prominent fighters, from JACK
| Dempsey down, were seen. Most or the
| scraps used to terminate so quickly that
| Arthur Lumey, who was a power in the
| club, put on preliminary bouts. He usually
| matched some local men, but this scheme
did not help the unknown pugilist to any
extent. He simply figured as an appetizer
! for what followed.
"But with the advent Of popular-pricet
| boxing the newcomer fought frequently
! got his name I'm the newspapers and sooI
| became a factor in fistic history. In order
/ TO make his progress easier the clubs de
| voted Thursday night of each week as try
| out nights. Anybody who thought he coulC
| fight received an opportunity to cross arms
| Ambitious youths with penchant To-
milling were tried. and before long tn,
| scalps Of staid and prominent champion
were in danger. When these youths hat
served their apprenticeship at the small
/ fry clubs they appeared In stellar bouts a
either the Broadway or Lenox Athleti
Club, and II they were not found wanting
they could command recognition and money
| But for the Introduction of popular-price'
boxing many good bruiser would not b
| where he is to-day. AT least, that is m.
way OF reckoning, and 1 think some folk
| will agree with me-"