The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-11
HUGH M'INlUSn
POINTS OUT HOW
BOXING IMPROVED
Cities Where Objectionable Ele-
ments in PugiIism Have Grad
uaily Disappeared

Hugh Mcintosh the Australian box
ing promoter, recently was asked by
a London sporting paper to show how
the objectionable elements of pugilism
have gradually disappeared. McIn-
tosh who has done lot to cleanse
the sport, made this clear explanation:
Boxing no longer is a brutal pas
time. In the old days of the prize
ring the case was very different,
am ready to admit The men had a
hard system of training. They pick
led Their hands and faces so as to be
fit to endure injuries and to inflict
severe punishment as we'll. A round
terminated with a knockdown or a
fall, after which there was minutes
rest. Nowadays a round Is of two,
three Or four minutes duration. If a
man is knocked down and cannot arise
at the expiration Of ten seconds h s
opponent wins. Under the old rules
box ng and wrestling combined made
it a rough and tumble fight, and it
was little wonder that the men were
marked.
But what do we find with our pres
ent day boxers? Thu only mark in
the face carried by Tommy Burns is
a scar caused by a blow received when
playing lacrosse. Jack Johnson has
been boxing for fourteen years and is
left unmarked Lang had his nose
broken in his very first contest, but
that is the only mark he cal ries
"Corbett shows no traces of his
many contests. Neither does Fitz-
simmons. Then there is Jimmy Britt,
who has met men like Joe Cans and
Battling Nelson. He has not mark
upon his face or ears to show that
he has done any boxing at all.
GAS matter of fact the size of the
gloves used in the championship con-
tests does not allow man to be
marked or injured. These gloves are
six ounces in place of the four ounce.
big men and we found they were a
success.
with gloves Of this size anything
approaching brutal y is impossible.
One man connot cut his opponent, but
he can win on points. To mark a
man is practically an impossibility.
for Bombardier Wells was almost beat
had a black eye.
Then comes the matter Of train
ing for a boxer like an athlete, must
be in the best of health If he W shes
to secure success Unlike the old box
err the men today eat what they fancy
and lead regular everyday life
Let US take Lang for instance. He
never drinks or smokes and he refus-
ed a theatrical engagement in Ameri-
ca, as he thought it might interfere
with his training
HE is out of bed every morning at
o'clock and has a short walk be-
fore breakfast. After this meal he
has ten mile run and walk in sweat
ers a bath ond a rundown. Then
he rests until lunch. at which he eats
anything he fancies. At 8 o'clock he
goes into the gymnasium where he
skips, punches the ball. goes through
exercises for the purpose of losening
his muscles and boxes. This is fol-
lowed by another. rest until dinner,
and he is in bed before o'clock ev-
cry night.
''That modern boxing is by no
means brutal is also proved by the
fact that all the latest championship
contests, have gone for ten, fifteen
and twenty rounds ana that on the
day following the men show no signs
Of punishment. They are healthy and
skilful and they cannot be other ow-
ing to the preparation they undergo"