The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-08-23
HEAVYWEIGHT MUST
TAKE A BACK SEAT
[Ry Harry B. SMITH }

IT'S the day OF the lightweight mon
In the boxing division, II It's the day
OF anybody, says the old-timer The
heayyweights and even the middle
weights must understand that for the
time being they are to be moved into
the back circle. That is now what any
old-timer and all old-timers and others
as we'll, who have keon eye to the
game flstiana tell me. and when they
spread oIt their arguments you Will
agree that they are about right.
The boxing game, like everything
elsc, apparently moves in cycles. AT
least that has proved to be the his
tory OF the heavyweight division, the
fortunes of which have gone up and
down In varying degree. Take the
Sullivan-Corbett fight at New Orleans
on September 7, 1892. 1t was the big.
gest oveut OF It's kind and attracted
stupedous attention over the wide
world
The victory OF Corbett meant much
to the game. but. at the same time,
for Ave years CoTbett held the cham
pionship and engaged In no contests
that could be styled worldwide af.
fairs. 1t was not until Corbett ar
ranged 10 meet FItzslmmons at Car
son City on March II. 1897. that In
terest was aroused once more TO a
high pitch
Fitzsimmons. upon coming into pos
session of the utle, held II In compar-
ative quiet until he was defeated by
Jeffries at Coney Island on June 3.
1899. Jeffries, of course, had a num-
Der Of important contests. but none Of
them to compare with the affair that
took place on the Fourth OF July last
In fact, it might be said that for
something like eleven years the heavy
weights had not taken precedence.
Heavyweights Must Retire.
And now. since the question of su-
have been eifectually settled for some
time TO come, 1t is quite fitting that
the heavier men should drop out of
sight and allow others to bring the
game back to normal condition.
Western promoters who have given
the subject moro thought and consid.
Grafton perhaps have realized ever
since the Reno fasco that II would
be we'll TO drop heavyweight matches.
New Workers have been brought to
that way of thinking
And so, once more, the lightweights
aud the feathers, as well as the ban
tams. are 70 come into their own.
Big purses. the fabulous guarantees
which have been made to fighters. can
also be looked upon as a thing of the
past Through the rivalry of promot
ers and the wonderful success of the
game, purses offered have grown out
of all proportions. The scheme OF a
guarantee, win, lose or a draw. end
percentages on the side to fighters and
managers alike, have been vicious
propositions
There is no reason why boxers
should not be contented to appear
for winners and losers end In the
future that is what they will be fore
ed to do.
1t will suit the public, and no mat
ter how much boxers may rave about
such affairs being none OF the pub.
Hes business, 1t remains that the pub
lie is concerned The people who pay
In the money at the box office must
necessarily be consulted. The wave
of commerclalism that has swept over
boxing must be stopped That Is
what dlsGusts the followers OF the
sport more than any other one thing
1t is TO be regretted. also, that
there cannot be some organization by
which crooked fighters, of whom there
are, unfortunately a few. cannot be
barred. SO long as boxing continues.
there Will be more or less betting on
results. Crooked fighters. like crook
ed Jockeys, should be ruled of. Some
combination OF promoters ought to be
possible By which such action could
be taken The newspapers can and
have, In large part. assisted In keep
ing such men out of the ring, but
they need the assistance of the pro.
moterS.