The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10
WEIGHTS FOR BOXERS
WILL Be READJUSTEO
Promoters and Fight Critics Will
Hold a Meeting to Control
Weight.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Classihcations Are in Doubt from
the Bantams to Heavy
weights.

The discussion in regard 70 revision or
weights for boxers will lead to a meeting
of sporting writer's and boxing promoters,
TO be held the latter part OF this month,
probably in Chicago. The fighters have
made many matches to contest for cham
pionships in classes in which they don't be-
long that the critics desire TO take action
on the weights. The meeting should be at
tended by all promoters and sporting writ
ers, as il is TO be an important one. Thomas
S. Andrews. sporting editor Of the Evening
Wisconsin, Milwaukee, has written the
sporting editor of the Journal as follows:
The question of a readjustment Of the
various weights in the boxing game has
been the subject of considerable discussion
among the followers of boxing for a number
of years but up to date there has been no
concerted action toward that end.
I'm talking the matter over with 'Parson'
Davies last week lac suggested to me that
now was an opportune time for the pro-
mOters of boxing shows and sporting writer's
of the country to get together at some cen
trail point. to be determined upon later, and
form national boxing association and give
their views on matters pertaining to the
sport. At this meeting the question of the
reimbursement OF all the weights of boxers
could be determined upon thereby accom-
plshing something that has been wanted
for long time.
''The matter. too. of protecting the clubs
against fake boxers can be taken into con-
sideration.
1.-The classification, as they exist at the
present time, from the bantams to heavy
weights, seem to be in doubt. If a meeting
of this kind would be attended by all those
interested In this matter L have no doubt
That a start could be made which would be
Dehenclal In all respects TO the boxers and
,he public and at the same time settle this
mooted question OF weights. y slaring illus
tration of the deficiency in regard to the
weight question is furnished by men who
claim to be featherweights and weigh any
where from 122 to 80 pounds.
Il have no further interest in this matter
other than to see the boxing game placed
upon the highest possible plane, and L
willing to devote some little time TO see If
cannot get all those interested to a meeting
as above suggested. If you are interested in
this matter will you attend a meeting at
some central point say Chicago or Buffalo.
about the latter part of January. This can
be determined better when we have re-
ceived acceptdnces from those invited. If
a sufficient interest is shown we can form
national association, adopt a constitution,
determine the question of membership, etc,
and, with the aid of the promoters of box
Ing shows that are held regularly in De-
trOit, Kansas City, indianapolis, Milwau-
kee. Philadelphia, Chicago Boston. Omaha,
Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Butte
and other cities, who will match their men
under the new classification of weights. this
form intended.
"As the matchmaker of the Badger Ath-
letlc Club, of Milwaukee, which holds
regular shows, l know the influence that
can be exerted If we will mutualize our in
terests and get together.
IF it should be impossible for you to at
tend the proposed meeting will you be kind
enough TO send your views?'
"When we are speaking of boxing rules"
1 RI
anybody that there are very few men who
know the rules, even among referees. and.
also, does any one ever stop to think that
no fights are fought under the Queensberry
rules
1.-THE Queensberry rules as strictly laid
down are not followed az any club There
is nothing in those rules providing that
man can hit while ciinching or hold on
with hand. Those rules also say that
when you knock a man down you must re-
tire to your corner. How on earth could
you retire to your corner If. as often hap
pens, you had knocked the other fellow
down in that corner? Could you retire to the
other mans corner? Not very consistently.
Bouts are rarely boxed nowadays under
the rules which governed COrbett and
Fitzsimmons at Carson City in 1891
People have also asked me-" adds the
been apparently landing the most blows
a losing verdict If they land their whacks
with the open glove Shreek for instance
and Rotchford, have lately been adjudged
| losers by me for opel-handed slapping when
many of the crowd thought they had won
81 consider that it is necessary to stop
that kind of slap-work The boxer who
simply taps with the top of the glove has.
of course, several inches advantage In reach
| over the fellow who hits with the closed
hand. If men who slapped that way could
/ Il be before dozens of fighters would be
doing the same trick, and boxing bouts
would be. turned into ridiculous slapping
matches?'
The ST. Louis Republic prints the follow
| ing opinion on Attell and Forbes
while much interest was manifested in
| the Attell-Forbes battle by local sporting
men Monday evening, considerable disap-
pointment was expressed that 1t had not
ended decisively one way or the other.
THE fight was generally spoken of as I'M
| satisfactory and as not showing definitely
/ who was the better man. AS they seem of
| fairly even merits in a ten-rOund bout, con-
| lectures as to what would happen in
twventy-round go were in order;
| Tom Smith, who refereed the Dunn
| JamisOn bout last Friday, which was fought
| in private, and who first brought Clarence
i Forbes to this city, believes that Harry
| Forbes would win in long fight.
"'He would make Attel set such a pace
| around the ring that he would get 10 Abe
| sure said Smith, and think he would win
| by a knockout Look what Yanger did to
Attel 1t was speed and constant boring in
/ that did it. Forbes is quicker. | believe
| than Yanger and. in spite of the difference
| IN their weights, think he is as hard a hit
| ter Benny. few more rounds ought to
have turned the tide in Harry's favor
/ Nal Doyle. manager of Johnny Regain
favors Attel Abe has improved of late
/ Forbes don't seem to have shown any ex-
| ira FORM" said he "and | think AttelI
| would outjab him In a long fight 1 believe
Attell has improved since his battle with
/ Yanger. Moreover, Benny was heavier
! than Abe while Forbes is about the same
| weight-lighter, If anything. L would pick
| Attell in a twenty-rOund 60"
! Tom Gamble. who brought out Tim
/ kearns, and who is long time devotee of
| the sport, favOrs Forbes. "A fighter over
/ boxer for me, every time" he said. Il
| don't think Attell could get away for the
whole OF twenty rounds. Forbes would
| land him before then"
| George Pierson, formerly a fighter HIM
| self and well-known pugilst in the days
| when Tom Kelly was in his prime. differs
/ from Gamble He thinks Attell could jab
! his man down.
Il haven't the old-fashioned notion about
/ the slugger being the whole thing" he said.
/ and | think Attell has enough weight be-
/ hind his short jolts TO put Harry TO the
/ bad in long route. l pick Attell if they
come together at that distance"
| Jack Crowley likes Forbes. 1T is only a
/ case OF Harry getting To Abe's jaw" he
\ said, and he has done this in their pre-
\ vious fights, although he has not landed
\ hard enough 10 IVORY Abe very much. save
in the first battle. l would take Forbes
Tor my money"