The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-08
M GOORTY
 HAS SLUMPED
 SAYS CORBET,T
Frankie Burns Decides to Stick to Bantam
 Glass
BOmhardier Wells Will OutCIdss GunbOat Smith Former
 Champ Thinks
(By James J. Corbetty Former Heavy weight Champion of the sWorId.)

(By James J. Corbetty Former Heavy
 weight Champion of the sWorId.)
 (Exclusively for The Farmer.O
 With favorable laws on the statute books boxing in New York ought to be in a hourishing condition Yet there has been a remarkable scarcity of first class attractions at local clubs this winter. For some reason or other there has been a woefu1 slump in the calfbre of contests. Evidently there is something radically wrong with the manner in which the game is conducted in thiss neck of the woods.
 It was thought when the FrawIey bill passed that a, new era had dawn ed for pugilism and that a. revival Of the sport would follow that would rival the good old days of the Horton law For a while the game did thrive but of late there has been a regular pugilistic famine--in so far as stars of the ring are concerned.
 Some writers contend interest in boxing has waned and point to the fact that a number of smaller clubs have surrendered their licenses with the explanation that there is no prof it in the promotion of the sport. But it is observed that whenever a pro- moter arranges a card that appeals to the sports the attendance Is limited only by the aeatinis capacity of his club. This indicates it is the dearth of good attractions that is responsi- b1e for the seeming lack Of interest in local exhibitions1of the manly art
 For example look over the cards of sfered the fans from the coming week. At least fifteen clubs have arranged programs in the greater city and of the entire lot the only attractive look ing match is the Bombardier Wells Gunboat Smith exhibition at the Gar den Friday night And for one will not be greatly surprised if that develops into a one-sided contest. However, the fact that one of the contestants has shown ability of a high order is a guarantee that the big arena win be packeda and at fancy prices, and indicates that the general sluggish condition of the -pugflistie market is not due to lack of public interest in the sport, but to failure of promoters to cater to the wants of the fans New YoRkers are liberal patrons of boxing, but they want the best talent obtainable and until natchn1akers take steps to improve the class of exhibitions there is no chance for a boom in local fistfc af- fairs
 with regards to the wells-smith match it looks to me from what have seen of the men that the Amer 1can is outcIassed. Of course. there is always an outside chance for d
 
 the haymaker. over. but if Wells hasn't gone back since last Summer he ought to have little to fear on that score Smith relies entirely on his swatting power to win his bat- ties and like all sIuggers is forced to set himself in order to put the de- sired heft into his punches. Against the clever Wells his style should prove of little avail.
 Wells is probably as hard a hit ter as his opponent and his speed and cleverness should enable him to beat Smith to the punch It's a sure thing that if he hits the Gunboat as hard as he punched Al Palzer the bout will end inside of round or two. Few can stand the gaf as well as O'Rourkess giant.
 Billy Jon, who is to preside at the match, has come in for considerable criticism lately for failing to enforce the rule calling for clean breaks in several contests, and I would advise the; Bombardier to have heart to heart talk with both Smith and the referee before beginning hostilities. The Gunboat has 1agrantly violated this rule. on more than one occa- sion and is not above Yesorting am Eorry to say, to foul methods when ever he thinks he can get away with It-
 Naturally my zympathies are with the American, but want him to win fairly or not at all.
 The proposed ruling by the New York Boxing Commission to compel club owners to refund admission money when advertised bouts are called off at the eleventh hour should have a clause inserted forcing boxers to live up to their contracts unless sick or disabled.
 The Empire A. c. had a fairly at lractive, card arranged for last We'd nesday night, but the Cross brothers. Phil and Leach, who were to play star parts left for New Orleans with out warning and rather than offer a substitute program the promoters were forced to abandon the show en- tireIy The club owners are certain ly entitled to legislation which will protect their investments to this ex- tent
 Leach Cross boxes Joe Mandot sn the Crescent City Monday, and it looks as though he had undertaken big job. On the dope he will be lucky to break even. Mandot is one of the topnotchers in the lightweight brigade and Cross has never shown his best form outside of New York He is essentially a home boxer Pos sibIy the ''shade" Gotham referees allow him has kept Leach, in the foreground so long. He will have to step his fastest in the Mandot bout
 Vyrarlxfe F1,rns the Jersey (Sf+.u