Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-20

stand it is not the general public that
stopped either of these. great games. 1t
is not the authorities, but 1t is the actual
encourage Of these sports that killed the
geese.
There has been no racing within reach
of Chicago since landed in America, so
that on that point I cannot speak, but
there has been boxing round and about,
and 1t Is now clear to any one OF ordt-
nary perspicuity that it is the boxers
themselves who are fast killing the
game.
The American sporting public from my
observation is the most lOng-suf1ering
body in the world, but even 1t must get
sick and tired OF the endless squabbles
between the various fighters. The pres
ent-day pugilist seems to think the pub
Tic exists only for his personal benefit
and to fill his pockets. In fact, most
of the fighting business nowadays seems
to begin and end In personal abuse
through the press by the various cham
pions and ex-champions.
Oh, for some of the qualities of the
prizefighters of the past, men who loved
to win fight for the sake Of the vic
tory alone and for the glory that 1t
brought to the country to which they be-
longed. Nowadays nearly every big
match Is marred by disputes over pic
ture rights and in many cases It almost
looks as IL the actual fight were sacri-
feed to get the production Of sensational
pictures.
1t is bad day for boxing when the
champion heavyweight is barred from
fighting in one Of the principal cities OF
his own country, yet the boxing commits
sion of New York is such a representative
ooy OF >portsmen and has so far inter
preted the new boxing laws SO well thai
one can only feel sure 1t has good reasons
for its action. But 1t almost seems as II
the right to hold the name Of the cham.
pion Of the world is slurred by the fact
that the holder Of it Is debarred from
fighting in the biggest city of his own
country.
Much as we love boxing as a sport and
hope to see 1t revived, we cannot help
dices against 1t and the behavior of the
pug lists themselves, there is little hope
OF this coming about.
ton to pugilist having a clear-headed
business manager, and naturally there
must be an organizer or promoter.
whether a club or an individual, working
for community or city which desires to
see a big boxing bout without the trouble
of making long journey. but principals.
their hackers and the promoters should
learn the golden RUE Of not saying toe
much, and when they wish to sign their
names to something written it should only
be at the foot Of a receipt for money.
They think by frequent interviews and
published statements that they foster the
interest in the coming fight. On the con-
trary, at any time. especially such q long
period before meeting is to be decided
they are doing their cause more harm
than good. In fact. nauseating those they
wish to provide good fare for.
As for the petty jealousies and absurd
little differences, they are washing in
public linen which is badly soiled and are
unit 10 a
nence by intruding themselves SO much
on those to whom they look to supper,
their enterprise. II I were a promoter
one of the first conditions 1 should make
with my champion would be that he
should seal his lips till tue event Is over.