Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-17

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support of these claims the success at
tanned by certain fighters of the rugge,
variety is offered in evidence.
To permit these statements to get b.
unchallenged would be to confess tina
scientific boxing had died natura
death, is lost art, to speak, which i.
far from the facts in the case
The success achieved by the rough
house style of miller is due in the mair
10 Ienlency of referees. Such a thing a.
rigid enforcement of the rules of boxing
is unknown in this country, and as Ions
as this condition of affairs is allowed tc
exist science and skill will be badly
handicapped.
Ad Wolgast is the "white-haired boy
CHOSEN by the pessimistic experts as an
example of the rise of the rugged fighter
and the decline of the skilled boxer. 1t
is at all times difficult to argue against
success. particularly the success of your
friend, but duty calls and l must obey
NolgaSt has won his spurs on strength
and stamina alone. So far as he is con-
cerned this would tend to prove the
claims that strength has 1t on skill. But
W oiSast Is an exception to the general
rule. In him We see miniature of the
strong man of ancient history. With en-
durance and might OF d middieweignt his
would slaughter the average lightweight
was made clear in the engagement tnat
Won him the championship from Bat Nell
son.
On the other hand, how would our
lightweight champion fare in an en-
gagement with a skilled opponent Tin
England. for instance). where it is
case OF living up to the rules or get
ting the hook? SupposinS AID was
not allowed to cut loose with that in
hShtlnS of his, and was forced to
break clean, under penalty of disquali-
hcation. Section of the Marquis of
QueenSbury rules says plainly: No
wrestling or hugging allowed" Has
AdoIph in recent contests been COM
PEELED to observe this rule let me ask?
Decidedly not. If such were the case
he would have been shorn of his most
effective methods of administering pun
iShment
Considering the handicap in the non
observance of rules of the game, clever
boxers are holding their own nicely
Occasionally a Mcfarland, a Gibbons or
an Attell springs up whose great skill
more than offsets the many advantages
granted his less skilled If sturdier
rivals through laxity of ring officials.
incidentally the successes of such men
are body blows to the claims that sci
entific fighting is in a state of decline.
Boxers are born, not made. All the
teaching in the world will not develop
a pupil unless the natural gift or talent
is there. Boxing as taught in schools
and gymnas Sums is rudimentary. To
become adept in the art of Init. stop
and get away" a boy needs individu-
atty of style or system. The teach
ings must be adhered to only as fits
this individuality and style. No one
method of attack or defense will prove
successful at all times. A successful
boxer is one who can adapt and change
his style as occasion requires.
Given an even break, a clever boxer
will more than hold his own against
an opponent who depends on strength
and fighting in the clinches or on the
breaks. The former plans his battle
like a general: the latter depends on
head-down bull-like rushes and hold
ing and hitting in the clinches. This
latter style of milling is not permissi-
BILE by the code. and is product of re-
cent years, made possible through ig-
norance or timidity of referees. Intel
ligence and skill are bound to win out
in pugilism when the game is con-
Quoted according to Hoyle.
There was quantity If not quality in the
boxing bill of fare served to Gotham fans
the past week. a majority Of clubs held
shows, and the lesser lights of the ring
were given opportunities to display their
goods. The headliners must have been on
strike. for there was no match during the
six days that could be dignffied by the
title of "star bout"
The coming week will show improve
ment. One-Round Hogan and Abe Attell
were to have started the ball rolling. but
the featherweight champion has an
nounced his inability to carry out the
agreement owing to an injured hand.
Some other boy of class, possibly Bat
Nelson, is to be substituted for Attell.
Promoter Gil Boag is anxious to land the
Battler. but the latters modest" de-
mands would leave nothing but the furni-
ture and building for Hogan and the club