Evening star., 1912-09-09

full count, the latter would still be cham
pion, as this encounter calls for weight
of two pounds above the recognized
limit But Packey would be popularity
proclaimed the champion LAS mentioned
in this column several weeks ago, 1t would
be the Young Corbett-Terry McGovern
met at 1875 pounds. If remember cor
rectly. The title was not at stake. but
Corbett, the winner, was hailed as cham
pion.
Eddie McGoorty disposed OF Dave
Smith, the Australian champion, in less
than half a round. But if the stories
told by Smiths friends are true the
of a good sport. Mind you, 1 don't know
the other side Of the case: / am giving
you the Smith version. When 1t is CON
sidered that Dave travelled thousands OF
miles to meet the best of our boys, and
passed up the easy marks, 1t suggests
that neither courage nor ability is lack
ing. and that he should not be condemned
on defeat in this match alone. His rec
ord at home entities him to another
chance and especially SO IL given the
rough deal he claims.
Smith says he signed to box McGoorty
at 162 pounds ringside, and was informed
at the time that Mac was a legitimate
middleweight and never scaled more
than 15s or 16O. Therefore. he did not
insist upon forfeit Smith himself had
to train down pretty fine to make the
weight, but did SO. although forced to
the extremity of a Turkish bath to do 1t.
Mc(Soorty Jumped on the scales and reg
istered 167.
The process of reducing had weakened
Smith. hut rather than be accused OF
funking on the occasion OF his first
match in America he fOOliShly consented
to go on with the bout. McGoorty never
tried to make the weight. bearing out
what i have repeatedly contended that
he is no longer eligible to battle In the
division. But outside of that they Ger
tainly put one across on the Australian,
who is too heavy to make the 162 and be
fit 1t was a case of one man weakened
by reducing tackling an opponent, who
was at his best and strong as bull.
In view Of the failure of McSIOorty 70
keep his word to scale at 162 pounds. and
the unsatisfactory ending Of the match in
which Smith really had no chance TO
show of what stun he's made, it Is up
to the promoters to bring the men to-
gether again, and this time at a weight
both can make without injury. Give the
Australian a fair deal. He had the
worst of the McGoorty match.
A local paper boasts editorially that 1t
will stop boxing in this state, as 1t stop
ped horse racing and its attendant vices
In it's bitter arraignment Of the sport,
boxers and patrons OF the game are re-
cts. ETC., and the exhibitions called brutal
and degrading, which, in my humble
opinion, convicts Mr., Editor Of having
other reasons than those he advances Tor
as at present conducted IN New York
state compares favorably with other
forms OF professional athletic diversion
In selecting the proposed McFarland-
Wolgast contest as possible norripie
example Of brutal and degrading prize
fights the editor was unfortunate.
Should that interesting event be pulled
off as per schedule. and our. friend elects
to attend, he will be treated to an exhl-
biti0n Of skill with the gloves by two
healthy young men who rank among the
foremost exponents Of boxing And II
he will take the trouble to look the
crowd over Mr.. Editor may discover
quite a few personal friends among those
he brands 'thugs and criminals.
The truth is many who attack boxing
as conducted under the supervision or the
state athletic commission are ignorant
of existing conditions. or for reasons or
ters. Barring one or two minor features
professional boxing has been pretty well
cleansed in New York.
New rulings are constantly being
framed with the uplift OF the game In
mind. Every safeguard is utilized to
assure clean sport. And in this. and
to their credit, the club owners cooper
ate with the compissioners. Gambling
| temptation in this respect, as far as pos
sible. decisions are prohibited.
Referees are licensed by the commits
sion and their positions are forfeited II
instructions are not faithfully and fear
lessly executed.
Inspectors are present to see that the
commissions orders are carried out. As
| a result crooked bouts are unheard OF
| and one-sided unequal contests are
stopped when one contestants superiority
| is apparent. The commission is doing
| everything in its power to keep the sport
clean and to eliminate its brutal features.
And SO far as l can see has succeeded
| admirably.
| The paragraph in the editorial reflect
| ting upon the class Of citizens who attend
boxing matches is the big scream. II
| one thinks boxing is pa.rHnized solely by
the so-called .low-brow' element and
i trat society higher up frowns upon
the sport let him take night off and
| visit the Garden. for instance. on one of
| its boxing nights. As Commissioner Dix
i on says, Bouts in this city are patron
| Ized by reputable citizens who appreciate
/ what the Frawicy law has accomplished
for professional boxing"