Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-24
By T. S. Andrews.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, September 23.-is
there any real craftsmanship among
many of the so-caled champions or near
champfons of the various classes OF DON
ers?
A real sportsman believes in being fair
to all concerned in any kind OF game, TO
give his opponent or opponents an even
chance. Then last of all. true sports
man wants the public, which is usually
considered after all other points nave
been settled upon, to have a little say in
the matter; but boxers % today seem 10
think that the public should be ignored
entirely
What right has champion 10 sit upon
his throne and dictate TO all the world
what his opponent shall receive n a con-
test for the supremacy of his class! lie
has absolutely no such right, but ne
usurps that power because the sporting
press of the country permits him To 90 SO.
and the promoters fall in line and permit
him to dictate all the terms and they
take all the chances.
Ad Wolgast claims TO be champion
lightweight of the world. and the public
recognizes him as such, although ne is
only champion of America, FOR ne mas
never defeated the champion OF Great
Britain. Matt Wells. but that matters lit
tie. for in England the public there feels
lust the same. no doubt. about Wells as
We feel about WolgaSt. AS champion
Wolgast has a right 10 dictate terms TO
q certain extent. such as weighing. ref
cree. etc, but he has no right TO tell
challenger. and one who Is considered
worthy challenger, that he must box for
whatever Mr. NolgaSt Il wiling TO per-
NIT him TO have.
A club in London offered a purse of
S3o.oGn for a contest between Nolgast
and Wells. and another in California Of
hElYr hA-
tween the champion and Packey McFar-
land; but Wolgast says he must have
S2J.tfD of that amount, and his opponent
can have what is left He claims that as
champion he can dictate whatever terms
he sees hit to name. Probably he can,
while the public and promoters stand for
it. but ii is not SportSmanliae and bona
fide clubs should Put stop TO such I'M
reasonable terms. Because Tommy Burns
and other big boxers set an example of
that kind is no reason why the present
day boxers should do likewise. Jack
Johnson is following in Burns footsteps,
and il is just such acts that are doing so
much to hurt the game
When John l.. Sullivan and James j.
Corbett fought for the worlds Champion
ship at New Orleans they battled for a
winners and losers end OF purse, be-
sides side wager of $4,000. John l..
Sullivan was champion, but he did not
say to Corbett: Here. young fellow, l
am champion You get $1,000 and | take
$4,000. No, John l.. fought Corbett on
even terms and lost his titIe, but he has
always retained the respect of the sport
ing public OF the United States for the
fair manner in which he always acted,
and the public gave evidence of its faith
in the grand old champion the past few
years by turning out in big numbers
every time he appeared at any theater to
do his monologue. 1t was the same with
men like Jack Dempsey. Jack McAuliffe,
Joe Cans, Peter Jackson, Frank Erne,
Bob Fitzsimmons. Dan Creedon and 9TH
ers. They did not try to hog it all: they
were willing to give their opponents an
even chance, even though they were
champions of their class.
1t Is too bad that the boxing promoters
cannot get together and act on the square
with one another and put a stop to such
practices and have some real sport Do
away with the all commercial side of the
sport. for II does much harm. the same
1t has been doing in base ball, that is.
when II has crept into the game too
strong.
Why should a boxer, just because he
wins a championship be permitted TO
grab everything in sight and leave his
opponents empty handed? There is no
craftsmanship about it. When amateurs
enter into any contest they do so for the
sake of the sport. That is real sporting
spirit, but 1T is getting TO be a case of
grab everything in sight for the profess
SIGNALS, whether ii is sportsmanlike not.
The Americans are the most liberal peo-
pie on earth, but they will turn some of
these days and put the ban on these grab
all boxers
Mr. Ad Wolgast. Knockout Brown and
a few OF the lightweight stars had better
look to their laurels. for there is a Young
man on their trail who Is liable to cause
All of them considerable trouble. The
young man in question is Pal Brown, not
q brother of Knockout Brown, but lust
plain Brown from the good old state of
Minnesota. the town of Hbbing. near the
iron range, and judging from his record
o. the past year he is some pumpkins. He
has not yet turned twenty years of age.
but he has fine development and is un-
der the guidance of DIR. II. F. Plapper of
Hibbng. Brown has had twenty-one
fights the past year and has won nearly
every one by the knockout route. some of
them being hard battles and going to the
limit Of twenty rounds.
Pal Brown is not trying to bluff his
way to the top of the lightweight divi-
sion. but is anxious TO work his way up
and take his chances with the best of the
10 Founders. then If he cannot win why
he is willing to return TO the farm. As
matter Of good faith. however Pal,
through his manager, DR.. Plapper. has
posted with the writer, forfeit of S1.n00
treal money! 10 go as part OF side bet
70 meet Ad Nogast. Matt Wells the
English champion. Knockout Brown or
eTv legitimate lightweight who will put
up the money. He does not ask Wolgast
to come out and say he will meet him
now, nor does he want To- be ignored but
he Is willing to bet real money on his
chances and go as high as 5000 for
side bet. The money IS UP and the young
man cannot do more to show that he
means business.
Pal has been fighting around 12i to 1ai
pounds. but is growing fast. and should
soon be a full-fedged lightweight as he
stands five feet seven and one-half inches
He IS clean-cut youngster and one who
will mix and not try To stall along. He
has gone to New Orleans. where he hopes
to have several good bouts and then work
New where RI
crack q the near champions.
The twenty-five-round battle between
Cyclone Johnny Thompson and Wild Bob
Moha Of Milwaukee which was billed for
View Orleans Sept ernber 81 has been
postponed owing sore finger on
Noha's hand. Bob hurt ii in his contest
with Billy Berger at Boston. but il is all
right again. and he will resume training
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