The Washington herald., 1908-04-12

bout last week between Joe Cans and
Spike Robson. One of the owners Of the
National Athletic Club. where the bout
took place. stated that the receipts were
over s5,oo0
The bis. arena was iiiled to its capacity
and the prices charged were above that
which are asked for the regular shows.
Had they been lower, 1t is likely that the
attendance would have been doubled, had
there been any place IN the city large
enough 10 hold it. Yet the bout could
not have been considered a sensational
one from any standpoint.
Those who follow boxing were well
aware that Cans was taller. had longer
reach, and was heavier than the little
EnglishnRn. He had also shown many
times that he was a harder hitter than
Spike, who has never shown any evil
denee of being slugger. No close stu
dent of boxing could ngure out that Rob
son had any possible chance of beating
Cans, judging By any performance which
be had given since he first visited this
country.
There had been an intimation that Spike
had been nursing his skill since he came
here, ana that he had never really cut
loose in any Of his previous contests, but
no regular patron OF boxing would nave
been willing to take much stock IN that
argument, for Robson had been seen III
tight places several times when X would
have taken wonderful self-controi 10
have kept back a Knockout punch II he
had any left IN his stock.
Yet feeling. as they must have done.
that all the advantages were in favor of
f4a large rF0WU
turned out 10 witness the match as the
largest boxing arena in the city could ac-
conmodate, Notwithstanding the addl-
tiOnal charge to witness the contest
When It was over no one seemed 10 feel
that he had not gotten the full value
OF his money. The bout was a last one
while II lasted. and there was action
every second the men were In the ring'
and the only regret possible was IN the
fact that the men we're not better
matched as 10 weight and strength.
Chance for Good Bouts.
A boxing promoter who was alive TO the
possibilities Of the lightweight situation
in this city at the present time could ar
range a number Of contests that would
prove interesting to the followers Of the
sport and prove a good thing from
box Office standpoint
There are a number of professional box
ers here now who are ambitious to be
classed as the best local lightweight.
Young Erne, Young LOughery, Willie
Moody. Adam Ryan, Jack Blackburn. and
perhaps one or two more. each think
they are the best at 133 pounds.
BY matching these boxers al the weight
and pairing them or In a way that would
be convenient, either by the selection OF
the club owner or by drawing lots to see
which two men should box. and then
matching the winners, with the idea that
the man who survived the ordeal would
be given a chance TO meet Cans. several
good shows would be provided, and each
one would be a good thing financially. II
should not take much urging TO get these
men together, for most of them are ready
at any time 10 jump into a ring and chal-
lenge anybody and everybody 10 con-
test with the gloves.
The requirement OF a reasonable forfeit
to make the weight would soon prove
whether the men were really able to class
as light weights, and then It would be
fair field and no favor. for II would be up
to the men to show whether or not their
claims were justified
The man who could not weigh IN would
be east aside. and the centest would be
really one between legitimate light
weights. and the fact that each bout
would be a separate contest, would pay
each Of the men well for taking the
chance, while the fact that II he was the
final winner would get boxer a chance
to meet the lightweight champion IN
bout at the biggest club in the city would
be the best inducement any Of them could
ask.
spike Robson is reported TO have re-
ceived 80 per cent Of the receipts for box
ing Cans. and any OF the men mentioned
could figure it out for himself about how
much he could expect TO get If he was
the one who would finally meet the col
oTed wonder.