Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-15
TO REVIVE BOXING
IN new YORK STATE
New Boxing Bill to Be Intro
duced at AIbanyAHigh
License Wanted.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, November 10 When the
next legislature convenes at Albany a bill
will be introduced legalizing public box
ing exhibitions of a limited number of
rounds before incorporated athletic clubs.
Several we'll known boxing enthusiasts
are behind this measure and have re-
ceived assurance that it will meet with
some approval 1t is understood that the
bill will include a provision for a state
boxing commission to be composed OF
three members to be appointed by the
governor and whose duties will include
the issuing of licenses to clubs of recog-
nized stability. The trainers of the bill
believe that clubs should pay high fees
for licenses. say 81 900 jer club annually,
with a percentage of net receipts to be
collected as a state tax, the entire money
thus realized to be turned over to the
states charitable institutions.
BY exacting big license fee and a tax
It is figured that the proposed boxing law
would bar fly by night clubs form operat-
ing and would limit the number of legiti-
mate organizations to comparatively few.
A state commission, 1t is shown, would
also grant a permit for. each contest, so
that 1t would be possible to prevent bat
ties that might be termed s'priz fights
because Of the notoriety of the pugilfsts.
The commission would also have power
to frame rules governing the clubs which
would compel all contestants to be
physically examined by competent doc
tors: to appoint Official referees, who
would have to show a thorough knOwl-
edge Of how to conduct a match; also
to adopt uniform set of boxing rules,
STIMULATING the weight Of the gloves, the
size Of the ring. the time for weighing
and the limits in all classes.
1t is planned to limit the number of
rounds of each contest to twenty rounds
of three minutes each. with a compulsory
rule that referees must prevent knock
outs at all hazards. Clubs that permit
open betting on bouts will forfeit their
the commission for any other breach of
the rules. The object in trying to have
such q bill passed is to keep boxing on
a high plane. cutting out irresponsible
promoters. who allow. inexperienced boys
and young men to fight for a few dollars
in the back, rooms Of saloons. or in, con-
cert halls under the glise of athletic
clubs" The recognized clubs with big
arenas believe that boxing should be
legalised In such way that any citizen
with the price can see first-class bout
between experienced, carefully trained
pugilists.
Under the present Interpretation of the
law the boxing clubs are treading on thin
ice. In fact, they owe their existence to
the tolerance Of the authorities and are
liable to be closed the moment anything
sensational occurs There are hundreds
Of well known citizens who patronize To-
cal boxing clubs. having passed through
lot Of red tape to become members, .
while there are many more who would
doubtless enjoy the. fun If they could do
50 without Inconvenience. At least this
Is the argument set forth by the men
who seem bent upon having the legisla-
ture pass a law that will bring back to
New York city the kind of matches that
draw large crowds and cause a lot of
public interest. They argue that legal
lied boxing bouts will bring many visi-
tors with money here and will put the
metropolis on the sporting mat again.