The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-04-16
\. Nj. {. 4. Fistic Instructor Be-
lieveS That the Sport Is
Being Elevated
BONER Is SUBJECT TO
MANY TEMPTATIONS
Keen Modern Competition Has
Forced the Incorporate
Man Out of the Game
...Edited by..- \
lalph L, Yonker
BY A. PlLkiNGTON,
Boxing instructor, Detroit " M. c. A.

The moral tone of the professional
boxers OF today is far superior TO that
OF the boxers 20 years ago. We no
longer iind in boxing the undesirable
or rowdy who was looked upon as a
real pug in former days.
The strict legislation enacted. the
keen competition and the sentiment
OF the public have ali combined TO
TIT the game out of the disreputable
position II once held and 10 place il
in the foremost rank as clean. man.
~ and sportsmanlike pastime
More than ever the game is tx.
employing the law OF the survival OF
the httest The competition is eX.
ceedingly keen. men can no longer
handicap themselves with any mark
ed immoral habi; and expect TO win
out in the end II Is true We oc.
casonally find black sheep in the
flock. but If we study the situation and
watch the developments. We will lind
that this man soon passes on and
makes way for better and more fit
athlete, who. through strict attention
TO business. has learned TO work just
little better and become more
proficient as boxer.
For careful attention TO technical
detail there is no branch or indoor
sport which compares with boxing
II Is not surprising, therefore. that
this great American sport Is develop
Ing In the younger men physical and
moral ruggedness.
A boxer is without doubt subjected
10 great many temptations. Both
in and out OF the ring the boxer Il
somewhat OF public idol AS the
boxer has much spare time at his dis.
posal, he is apt 10 give way to evil
tendencies unless he Is a very level
headed young man or happens 10 fall
under some good influence. strong
enough 10 shape his course This is
one OF the principal reasons that this
one sport should be fostered very
carefully
One might think. from the fact that
there are so many temptations in
boxing that perhaps It would be bet
ter for the average young man not TO
go into II at all. This is undoubtedly
true for a few, but the number. am
glad TO say, Is exceedingly small On
the other hand. the vast majority OF
boxers can develop character in the
ring. During boxers career his
moral nature is assaulted from about
every angle: ii he has any weakness,
II will surely be brought to light and
placed before him unadorned for his
consideration. He is thus enabled TO
take moral inventory OF himself, 10
find out just what he has TO contend
with in his own nature. Were II nor
for this process. the man might un.
consciously foster for years some
weakness which would some day rise
up and overpower him.
The boxer OF today realizes that 10
be successful in his profession, he
must keep himself In the best OF con.
dition; he must keep good hours. he
must develop strong rugged body
with finish OF speed and agility. he
must be temperate in all his habits
and he must taboo all those things
which In any way tend to injure and
UNFIT him for the game.
The rowdy is rapidly disappearing
from boxing II Is no longer consider.
ed badge OF professional perfection
TO be able to use every oath on the
list or TO assume tough. don't care
air. ON the contrary, the boxer Is
growing TO be careful. Industrious
ana thoughtful young man. who looks
upon his profession as q legitimate
business which must be conducted
along business lines. There IL no
more striking evidence OF this than
Willie Ritche, the lightweight cham.
pion OF the world