Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-26
PACKEY THE CHOICE
Slight Favorite Over Wells for
Big Bout in Gotham.
BOYS READY FOR BATTLE
Thousands Of Tickets Sold and
Everything Points to
Crowded House.

NEW YORK. April o6-Thousands Of
tickets have been sold for what premises
to be one Of the best boxing bouts ever
held in this city. between Packey Mo-
Fariand Of Chicago and Matt Wells OF
England, at Madison Square Garden to-
night. Notfsince the days OF, the Horton
law has such keen interest been taken in
q meeting between two lightweights, Mo
Farland. lightning fast and shifty, win
probably need all his speed against the
more rugged Briton.
Although not SO snowy as his rival,
Wells Is extremely clever. He holds the
Lord Lonsdale diamond belt, emblematic
OF the lightweight championship OF Great
Britain. The belt is not in danger tonight,
however, as it Is open to competition only
m England
Little or no work was INDUCED in by
the boys yesterday. This was particu-
larry the case with Mcfarland, who on
Wednesday trained so vigorously that he
actually scaled as low as 1874 pounds.
Emil Thiery, his manager, did not intend
to have Packey~ get to weight SO soon.
and the chances are that the stockyards
champion would not have reduced SO rap
Idly had Thiery been able to keep in closer
touch with his man. The wrangle over
the referee kept Thiery away from Nc
Farland for the better part Of three days.
Wells, who has been doing all his train
Ing at Rye. is also down to weight. He Is
confident OF the outcome. In advancing
nds reasons for expecting to get the bet
the failure of Mcfarland to win over
Freddie Welsh. the boy that Wells de-
feated in England.
Among sporting men about town last
night however. Mcfarland ruled slight
favorite. While Wells is conceded to
know the game from beginning to end,
and Is admittedly great ring general,
the general impression Is that Packey' 8
speed will win. Tim Hurst merely offers
the opinion that Mcfarland will know he
has been in a fight when it is over:
It is a matter of opinion which side
has made the better bargain. Mcfarland
10 taking no chances, being guaranteed
10000 Wells will receive 80 epr cent Of
the gate, after McFarland's end has been
deducted. and the Englishman will also
receive 80 per cent OF the moving picture
money AS q packed house is assured, it
looks as II Wells may pull down the fat
end Of the purse.
The doors will be thrown open at Z
seats will be placed on sale. There Will
be two preliminary bouts. the first being
carded for $40 o'clock, between Joe
Shears Of England and Willie Chandler
Of the Boys Club Of New York. They
will weigh 122 pounds. and conditions
call for SIX rounds.
Following this will come the semi-final
bout of ten rounds at 1873 pounds between
Steven Kennedy OF Boston and Charles
Twin Meller Of Philadelphia. The star
bout win be put on at 10 o'clock. It il
expected that Sam Aust.n's work as ref
cree will be comparatively light. as both
men know the rules and are likely to box
fairly.
Unusual efforts have been made for the
comfort Of the spectators and there will
be nothing f1imsy in the way Of ratings
separating the boxes. These will be nail
ed down and braced. The aisles will be
kept clear and order maintained, as Lieut..
Becker's strong-arm squad OF forty uni
formed officers will be scattered about the
aisles and entrances.
Thomas O'NeiIl, who has policed the
Polo Grounds. the American League Park
and other places where big crowds have
gathered, also will be on hand with his
men. The fact that the cheaper seats will
not be placed on sale until this evening
will serve. 1t is believed, to keep the
tickets out Of the hands Of spectators.