The Washington times., 1908-09-18
Boxers Who Continually CoUer
Not Worth Price of Admission
Soldier Burns Gives TreSome Exhibition of Sailing in
Losing TO Dick NelSon-One Soul Misses
Scorecard Idea
By THOMAS s. RICE.

Fighting" Dick Nelson, of New York.
gained the decision over Soldier Burns
in fifteen rounds, before the Eureka
Athletic Club, in Germania Maennerchor
Hall. Baltimore, last night, because he
fought the best he could
Burns lost, although If he had any
heart he would probably be the better
man. There was hardly a spectator who
was not glad that Burns was beaten.
and no one would have cared partlcu-
larly II Referee Jim O'Hara had soaked
him IN the head with something hard.
Burns is one Of a class OF scappers
Who should be run out Of the ring, for
those who pay TO see them are giving
Iup money without adequate return a
man who stans for round after round,
with his head and upper body covered
by an lmpenetrable guard Of gloves and
elbows. without leading back OF taking
the offensive. except about half a dozen
times in fifteen rounds, is disgusting
sight 10 people who hand over coin
20 see real boxing.
It is true that when Burns has CHOSEN
to loosen up and lead. his height and
reach have enabled him to make prog
ress against any fighter the Baltimore
ana w d0ilAAAE1 NNlA s9l'N'- -
him go against, except Johnny sum
mers. but he has been in the game sew
eraI years now, and. II he has not learn
ed 20 fight in more manly fashion by
this time ii is not at all likely that he
ever will. The attendance was poor last
might and unless his opponent is the
drawing card * IS almost a cinch bet
shat it win be poorer the next time ne
appears, for life is too short TO spend
whole evening watching any such per-
.fOrmance as Burns gives
Al Herford has been accused OF
enough high crimes and misdemeanors
Ito tfU a big bookcase. but it has never
been charged that he did not try his
level best TO get action for the people
who go TO the Eureka Club fights
He makes everybody hustle. and the re
salt has been that with the possible
execution Of San Francisco and Los
Angeles. Baltimore has had for the
mast four or five years by far the fast
est and most interesting boxing shows
I'm the country, taking them all in all.
Wherefore Al should wake UP and stop
TRYING to fOist Burns upon his patrons
Nelson proved to be a boxer with some
rsood points. some bad ones, and only
a mediocre punch For guard he
holds both hands directly in front Of
MIN. with the elbows bent downward
1t is an attitude somewhat resembling
tbaI used by Joe Cans when Cans has
his Antagonist breaking ground and IS
Doisirg himself for a knockout by the
short Jolt method. Cans has sent many
a man to sleep by stepping inside and
hitting from that unusual attitude, but
Cans I'm his prime could deliver jolt
or a chop that would make heavy
weight take the count. Nelson had not
enough steam in what ne showed last
night 20 make it an effective attack Tor
him.
one thing Nelson has down TO quite
n fine point, and it is utterly amazing
that otEer boxers as a rule do not have
il. and that is, the habit Of following
an advantage. Whenever one of his
waIl0ps went homo i-st night, and mo-
mentarIly brought Burns VI "an stand
ing Nelson was on him In fash,
bau1merinC him around the ring and
irving the best he knew how 70 put
him away before his head cleared Also,
If Burns happened to turn the wrong
way I'm his tincanning and leave him
self open. Nelson was right there with
a rescunding thumP 70 teach better
manners than TO show his back to a
Eenuemanly opponent.
It Is one Of the strangest things about
boxing that so very few men know how
to seize a golden opportunity in the
ring. They either step back and let the
other fellow regain his set. or. If they
do sail in, do so IN a wild, haphazard
manner which generally results In moth