Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-28


peek of sure enough champion. Press
agents keep on grinding out dope about
wonderful things in store when cool
weather returns. but in the meantime all
We get in return for our good money are
exhibitions by boxers Of the near
Champ variety.
To read the Gotham sporting columns
one might be led to believe that hog
cleh policy on the part of the champion
glove wieders is responsible for the
l.menta5le lack % class in local boxing
shows The matchmakers of the Garden
and St Nicholas clubs (Which control
The game in this city, assert that It is
inpossible 20 do business with boys like
Wolgast and Kilbane on basis per-
raItting OF a reasonable profit for the club
owners. and that they are therefore re
luctantly'' compelled to pass such stars
and book the lesser lights
read a paragraph the other day, evil
IDENTITY inspired or written by salaried
press agent. accusing Jimmy Dunn. man
sser for Johnny kilbane champion
featherweight. OF being up to his old
tricks again" At first glance one would
Imagine said Dunn was putting the
strange hold on the local niagnates, poor
fellows. but after reading the stun
through I was surprised at the nerve OF
the fellow who wrote it.
II seems Billy Gibson, director of the
big Garden Club, wanted kilbane to come
here and box either Johnny Dundee or
Young Silugrue and offered the champion
- per cent of the gross receipts. Kill
bare Tor manager) as business man
turned the offer down. demanding guar
antee greater percentage Nnlch'
according TO my way OF doping the matter
out was a very reasonable request A
champion is worth a fair part OF the
money he draws, and - per cent IS surely
no equitable slice for the boxer VINO at
tracts the crowd.
Supposing for example. the bout would
draw $1,000 gross, which IS not too great
an amount to expect when star or the
b-il!iancy of our featherWelght champion
IS on the bill. kilSane would receive the
sum of $500 and the club $500 TO pay
DT the champions opponent, pTelimin-
aries. rent. advertising and other ex-
penses. including the j: per cent eAac,e e,,
by the state for licensing the show: Out
o. this amount the club would easily net
Si.5Oa and possibly more.
WHY should the magnate get the big
money and the champion the little end OF
the deal? II Is the star boxer, not the
management, that brings the dollars TO
The box-office, and the noney-gettins at
fraction should he paid in proportion TO
r1oney In the way of rent. advertising.
help. etc, TO put on an exhibition De-
tween mediocre performers. barring pos
=ibly few extra items OF expense, as Il
=
- head'iner That is 50 far actual
lxed expenses are concerned.
am not by any means trying TO en-
courage kilbane or other boxers OF repu-
tatien "a try To hold UP promoters. and
the fight trust need fear nothing on that
score anyway the present time. as the
local game is pretty We'll cornered But
I believe a Iahorer worthy of his hire. and
a boxer entitled to q fair part OF the
money he brings 10 the door. Certainly
= per cent Is not commensurate with a
hanpion's standing in the PROFESSION
am drawing capacity at the box-ofice.
Gotnar1ites who flock 10 boxing shows
III large nurInberS are also due some
consideration by local managers. The
public pays big prices and deserves the
lest that's going III tho boxing line. Kill
bare is "A star lolcal sports admire very
mach and there IS no question that his
rane would draw an immense crowd
anywh acre he chooses to appear. II the
natchnlakers could only be made to see
II III the right light they are biting or
their own noses 70 spite their face. One
i.out with champion boxer for top
line attraction would he worth more TO
them in cold coin than a cluster OF the
sort they have been serving the past two
or three months.
Johnny kilbane is a popular youth To-
cally. and deservedly SO. Manhattanites
thought Abe Attell invincible and his
conqueror Is assured of a packed house
any old time he elects TO box worthy
adversary IN this ncighborhood. Kilbane-
JjtNuce WCu4u NT2V dig. hiiDdDe anu
.atteN would pack either tie Garden or
s.. Nichols rink. And an International
match between the veteran and classy
expert. Jem Driscoli, champion OF Eng
land. and the Cleveland bOy-weil, the
promoters could demand the highest scale
81 prices ard be sure of getting the
money.
The Garden and ST Nicholas people are
doing fairly We'll with their shows be
cause they control the game and have
practically coruered THO crop of local
celebrities. But the public is tired of see
irg the same men perform right along
ard demand new material. There may
he opposition IN tho field this coming
season, and the followers Of boxing may
get better shows as a result OF plans TO
c-ablish rival institutions large enough
- coDiDete successfully with tie monop-
oily.
Bornbardier Wells came back after the
licking NJ PaiZer gave him and swatted
Tom Kennedy 50 effectively that the lat
tors seconds Wore forced 20 throw up
the sDonGe in the eighth round. Wells
was too clever for the Kennedy of the
Other night, who apparently has forgot