Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-24
By T. S. Andrews.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


PARIS, France. April 4. 1911.
1t is wonderful the way the Frenchmen
here have taken to the boxing game dur
ing the past two years. 1t seems that
they have gone as wild over boxing as the
American people have gone over base
ball. There are boxing clubs in all parts
Of Paris. and two big clubs in the SWELL
est amusement buildings in the city. The
contests are attended by the very best
business men Of the city, by the counts.
and princes Of the nobility and many well
known women-in fact. the women seem
to take as deep an interest in the sport as
the men, From what 1 can learn, there
have been many fake bouts In the past.
and Americans have been mixed up IN
them, also many English boxers. But the
Frenchmen are beginning to get wise.
and. like the American sporting people.
want straight bouts or none. The French
boxers are developing at WONDERFUL
pace, and 1t is really astonishing to see
some OF them in action. They have
learned the American style. and are very
aggressive, even more SO than their Eng
lish rivals. At the rate they are going II
will not be surprising to hear OF French
champions In the not far distant future.
It is really too bad that some of these
takers should get into the business here.
for 1t will mean the killing Of the sport
II they are permitted to continue. The
boxing game has strong hold on Pari'
slams, and 1t is hoped, for the good OF the
sport, that the game will be conducted
in a more Straightforward manner. 1t
has been the same experience In the
United States, where the takers have got
ten hold and killed the sport, and 1t VIII
be repeated here il 1t is not checked In
time. Some of the French promoters are
sincere in their work, and anxious to have
strictly honest bouts. and the Same can
be said of Hugh D. Mcintosh. the Aus
tralian promoter. who has opened UP
clubs here and in London. The patrons
cannot be fooled now the way they were
q year or two ago. and 1t will 60 hard
with some Of the boxers and promoters
II they are caught trying to put over any
more OF the raw deals which have been
experienced in the past.
There are q number OF gymnastic clubs
where boxing has been introduced and
regular training quarters have been estao'
lished. There are q number of French
boys, both amateurs and professionals
who train regularly. and they seem t.
put their heart and soul right into the
work. They are very sincere-more sc
1t will not take them long to be right
In line with the Britishers for future
honors Of tho ring. They have had some
clever American teachers. and also some
they are getting first-class instructions
Boxing tournaments are becoming almos'
as numerous here as in some OF the Brit
ish cities, and international bouts between
the two countries will soon be q regular
thing.
1t 10 very likely that some Of the French
boxers win visit the United States Mex
fall. and it is possible that one or twt
will make the trip to Australia. Marco
Moreau, the French middleweight. has q
longing to see the United States, and he
there and meet the best Of American mid
dleweights. Moreau started out as q
lightweight, but has developed into q
good 15S-pound man, and in his training
here has shown excellent form. Paul TIL
the crack French bantamweight, is also
anxious to go over. and may be seen
in the states in the fall.
Jimmy Clabby and his manager, Frank
Mulkern, with Ray Bronson and Walter
Owens Of Minneapolis, have been visiting
in Paris the past week and taking in the
sights. 1t Is unfortunate that Clabby
broke his hand in his fight with Harry
Duncan, otherwise he would have had
several good matches here and in London
1ntosh had practically matched Clabby
and Jim Sullivan for the middleweight
championship Of England, but the injury
to Clabby spoiled it. Bronson was also
offered matches here and in London. but
the Indiana boy has decided to go home
first and arrange to return next season
providing he does not 60 to Australia
again.
Willie Lewis. with his manager, Dan
McKetrick. and Sammy Smith of Phtla-
delphia, arrived here this week. and have
Joined the bunch Of Americans at the
training quarters. Leo Houck and his
manager. Lou Derlacher. with Billy Ro-
cap Of Philadelphia, have also arrived or
the scene, and the result is a match he
tween Harry Lewis and Houck for the
Harry Lewis, insisted that Houck could
not make the weight of 1853 pounds. ring.
side, and demanded q big forfeit. Houck
has put up the forfeit to make the
weight, and also offered to wager 500 tc
800 that he would not be over 1851.
pounds. This match will attract consid.
cradle attention. Willy Lewis is billed te
and the chances are they will draw a big
house, for Willy is a great favorite in
Paris.
Word comes by cable that Billy Papke
Is on his way to Paris and will endeavor
to get some matches with the middle
weights here before returning to the
United States. The chances are that
due to his long ride on a boat, and will.
therefore, have to take on light heavy
weights instead Of heavyweights. unless
he lays Off a month to get down to
weight.
The American and English boxers have
been introducing the game at Brussels
Monte Carlo and Berlin. but as yet the
Germans have not taken to the game
very readily, and it will be some time