The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-07
THE PRESS AGENT
BEATS HARD'PUNCH
M 1Err rl1oMrsoN.

49, DI n
NEW YORK, Juno Elm tho good
old days when prize fighters fought
rather than talked, tho publicity pro-
motor had not broken into tho game.
] wonder, II one OF these cnterprising
young men had laid n proposition for
tho promotion OF publicity before Hee-
nan, or sayers. or Mace. Billy Edwards,
Joe Coburn. what replies these grim
lighting men would have made Prob
ably It would not have been 1T to
print. 1t would DO interesting X some
historian OF pugilism would dig UP the
facts OF tho birth and development OF
the pugilistic press agent.
There can be no doubt that It pays
IN dollars and cents. for $4,000 and
100000 purses we read about are in Il
very large measure due to the work
of the publicity men. The effect on the
sport, however, Is another question.
In the ring by hard fighting. and cham
pions fought all Corners, who could get
enough backing, without debating
bling.
In these degenerate days, however.
q good, competent press agent Is of
plres to championship honors. with, tho
emoluments thereunto pertaining, than
a. soporifc punch and the ability TO
take q bad beating for the sake OF Civ
ing the other fellow worse one. Our
pie. He Is given consideration as be-
ing of championship class simply be-
cause HIS press agent says repeatedly
1t. The fact that Johnson has never
done anything in the ring to claim
to being first-class man Is lost sight
of by good many people.
fesslonal fighter OF any prominence in
these days, the press agent Is at least
as Important as the trainer.
The claim OF Harry Pollok that Abe
Attcli Is afraid to fight his man. Char
ley Griffin, il really what has given
rise to the foregoing reflections Now,
admiration for Attell, outside his fight
ing ability. He has many traits that
do not appeal to me. Els presidency
die. in making a match, borders on a
lack OF true sportsmanship.
But whom the assertion is made that
Attell Il afraid to fight any one Il, in his
Attell Is afraid to go into the ring with
anything that walks on two legs and
weighs 125 pounds or less. The only
fear that bothers him Is that in making
match he may let some OF the long
green lie might have had get by.
Joe Cans Is confident that Packy Nc
sarland is the next man he will have
to hight for tho lightweight champion
ship--that is. after he has disposed OF
his old enemy, Battling Nelson. on July
4th. It may be said In passing that
Cans has no doubt OF his ability 10
turn the trick with the Dane. He said
in Chicago the other day: at looks &c
me as II Mcfarland and I will have
to hook UP before long. and there rs q
swell fall fete out on the coast. and
now Is the time to get ready.
perhaps Packy will not want to NEE,
me that soon, but can assure him that
my lighting days ARE numbered. and he
had better take the chance right now
Somebody may beat Packy to 1t ant
whip me-" and Cans smiled.
Nelson and ] are hooked up sure
enough for July 4th. and will box for
ty-five rounds in Jim Coffroth's arena
1t will be an afternoon fight. I wor
the discussion over the weight, and
we will make 1873 pounds, stripped. But
there Will be winners end and a los.
ers end. will not insist on tagging
the money. although I could easily have
done so.
Certainly. expect to get reveng'
over Nelson this time. I'll beat hin
sure. but this talk about my Knocking
him out in fifteen rounds or so Is no
toughest men In the business, and Il
should hurt hand I would have
trouble with him.
But Nelson has been beaten three
times--twice4 by Britt and once by Tn
.lolz-and should not be SO hard for mi
at this time. I have seen his recen
fights. and they We're not good ones
Indeed. Attell had him Sroggy at on'
stage of their battle"