Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-06
POOR MATCHES
BRING D|SREPUTE
PROMOTERS SHOULD DISCcUR-
AGE 0NE-SIDED AFFAIRS
Gans-o'5rien Card Would Cause Dis
satisfaction Because Of Weak.
ened Physical Condition
Entailed

There has come a time when some Of
the Nevada fight promoters should sit
down and take a long, long think as to
the manner of matching aspirants in
line for high pugilstic honors. 1t was
not sufficient that they pitted the
celeverest lightweight of the decade Joe
Cans, against a man who had lost TO
the featherweight division, but now are
talking of sending Philadelphia Jack
O'Brien and Cans into the ring. Even
should the match result In fast affair
there would be no real satisfaction for
those who care to see the sport for its
sake alone.
1t is reported that O'Brien and Cans
are being considered as eligible with
Brien required to make 154 pounds a
few hours before the fray. Such a
match would be foolish for several
reasons.
Jack O'Brien is in the middle or light
heavyweight class. Joe Cans but re-
Gently made 131 pounds ringside for
Bat Nelson. O'Brien might possibly
meet the weight demanded but as he
himself says would be weak at the
poundage. Were he to enter the ring
in such a condition it would be Cans
against man materially weakened.
Cans perhaps might win, but where the
glory or satisfaction?
No man i'm whose veins runs red,
honest blood would care to see Jack
O Brien or any other ringster climb be-
tween the ropes in a shaky condition.
1t matters not what the sport may be,
those participating should in justice to
themselves and spectators enter al their
best, whatever that best may be. Jack
O'Brien, at 154 pounds would not be the
Quaker of 1872 pounds or more. OF
course Cans would be at a marked dis
"a hN tn Rrip a I
the latters normal weight but never
theless more satisfaction would result
should they come together at catch
weights, if matched they muA be.
The essence of every ring exhibition
should primarily consist in two men
meeting, trained to their greatest
strength. Satisfaction can only come
when an opponent wins by sheer native
ability and not because of unjust handi-
cap imposed.
In the track world, sprinters of su-
perior ability are often handicapped byI
several feet or yards as the case may
be, but nevertheless dash with the pis-
tol shot in full possession of bodily
strength. When it comes to boiling off
flesh below natural point limits have
been reached at which a we'll balanced
manager should balk.
Absolutely no excuse can be offered
for the Herman bout beyond al
desire to secure advertisement for GER
tain mining localities. Such advertise
ment, however, is of a hysterical sort
and the aftermath is not calculated to
result beneficially to any great degree
1t brings the sport into disrepute be-
cause the public realizes sooner or later
duping process which necessarily
causes skepticism.
a great chance exists for present day
prize ring promoters to gain name for
themselves by discountenancing lop-
sided matches. Temporary financial
loss entailed by apparently attractive
cards being set aside will be offset in
times to come when a realization exists
thoroughly that every brace of men
signed are matched after shrewd FORE
thought relative to their respective
merits.