Evening star., 1911-08-13
By T. S. Andrews.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


Special Dispatch to The Star.
MILWAUKEE,, August 12.-Win the
New York Boxing Club make the same
mistake that has been made in some OF
the large cities and kill their own game
now that the boxing contests have been
legalized by the state legislature? From
information at hand 1t is evident that
some of the promoters in the big city
are falling into hole that may make
trouble for them later on. and it is hoped,
for the good Of the game. that they will
see their mistake before it is too late
The game in Chicago would be going
today If it were not for the fact that the
promoters themselves always made it i'm
possible for the authorities there to
countenance it. The same trouble has
been experienced in other cities, but not
to such a great extent. and now there
is danger Of the New York promoters
making the same mistake. The commits
sion appointed by Gov. Dix Of New York.
and which is made up of very conserva-
tive men, has not had an opportunity yet
to operate, but the chances are that
when it does begin there will be some
thing doing, and there will also be some
very explicit advice given to promoters
in that city, who are inclined to overstep
their bounds.
1t is known tnat within the past week
some of the New. York promoters have
endeavored to annex all the high-class
matches In sight and have even gone SO
far as to try and induce boxers to break
their contracts. James Coffrotn, the San
Francisco promoter, is already complain
Ing that the New Workers are going to
extremes in their bidding for matches,
and doing things that would hardly be
called legitimate. This is pretty strong
when you consider that Coffroth Is one
of the kind who will bid all kinds of
prices for good match. IT the reports
are true about the great number OF box
ing clubs springing into existence in the
great metropolis 1t will only be a ques-
ton of time that many Of them will be
wiped out, and 1T will simmer down to
survival of the fittest. However, the COM
mission will. no doubt, take hand and
mitted to operate, and that everything
will have to be done above board.
There is no doubt that New York has
the edge on all other cities In handling
high-class matches, for they have the
population to draw from, and a class of
| men, who will pay good prices to witness
a good contest. The conditions, however,
are similar to base ball; that Is, when
New York Is strong for base ball It Is a
pretty good sign that the rest Of the
country follows, and SO 1t Is with boxing
With the fstic game legalized in New
York state, 1t should prove great boom
to the game all over the country, and 1t
will not be surprising to see other states
fall in line and legalize this sport, where
the bouts are limited to not more than
ten rounds. In the meantime, let us hope
that the New York promoters Will not try
| to kill the goose that laid the golden egg,
| the same as was done when the Horton
| law was in vogue.
| Matt Wells the English lightweight
champion, who came over to this country
| under the management OF George NC
Donald. with the express object of getting
| on with Ad Wolgast or Packey McFar-
land, is very much put out because he is
obliged to lay around and wait the pleas
ure of the two American stars. from
real boxing standpoint. there is no doubt
| that Wells Is the. man who should De
favored in a battle with Wolgast. for the
reason that .he is the legitimate champion
of Great Britain, and has a right to de-
mand contest for the worlds title. lie
should get first call over Freddy Welsh.
whom he defeated for the championship
of Great Britain, but in this case he has
been sidetracked, as Wolgast has practt-
| cally arranged a match with Welsh. Tor
Thanksgiving day at Los Angeles. Wells
claims that he can make the same weight
that Mcfarland is making for Wolgast,
| for their match September 10 in Mil
waukee, and that IL necessary he can do
even a lower weight. He is at that point
where he claims he will force Woigast
into match. or make him give up the
| title The only way he could do this
would be to post a substantial forfeit for
| a contest, and leave the same up for six
| months: the same as Jake Kflrain DID
with John L. Sullivan, over twenty years
ago. The public however, did not recog-
nize Kilrain, and 1t is 100 to / shot
| they would not recognize Wells as world
champion unless he should actually beat
| the Michigan boy in ring battle. There
| is no reason. however, why Wells should
| not be given recognition. and 1t is hoped
| he will get what he is looking for after
Wolgast and Mcfarland have had their
ten-round argument.
It Is a problem to understand why the
New York sports should install Ad VOL
CAST a two-to-one favorite over Pac <ey
| Mcfarland in their ten-round no-deeision
contest, to he held in Milwaukee Septem-
ber Is. Both boys have boxed in New
York city, and from the newspaper ac-
counts of the contest. Mcfarland was
considered the biggest favorite of the
| two, and was also picked to defeat VOL
| CAST in any kind of a contest up to twen-
| ty rounds. Probably the decisive victory
Wolgast scored over Owen Moran has
changed the minds Of these sporting men.
but why one battle should bring about
such change Is hard to understand.
There.is no doubt that Wolgast is Won
derful little fighter. and in a long con-
| test he naturally would rule favorite over
/ any opponent put against him, but to
make him q two-to-one favorite In a
short bout where no decision Is given, It
seems uncaued foN 1t Is admitted on all