New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-26
BOX|NC NOW. ON HIGH
WAVE OF POPULARITY
Report of Athletic Commission
Shows Immense Sums
Spent on Sport.
STANDS NEXT TO BASEBALL
Public Paid Nearly 100000
in Twelve Months to See
Bouts, of Which State
Gets S49,131.31.

That boxing. as a sport. is second only
20 baseball in popularity in this state,
and more particularly in this city. was
indicated 10y the second annual report Of
the state Athletic Commission. issued
Yesterday Boxing enthusiasts have paid
sss3 sos 20 FOR the privilege of seeing the
first class boxers and others perform
within the roped arena during the last
twelve months out of this sum the state
has received . per cent or Sl9.l9l 81
This sum OF money, added to the amount
paid during the first three months Of the
operation of the Frawley law. makes a
grand total of N,2lsls9 % UP To Novem-
her 80 1912
Up 10 November So there were seventy
six boxing clubs operating in this state
under the direction of the commission
During the year forty clubs were licensed.
which brought the total up to eighty-nine
licenses issued since the commission was
organized OF this number four were re-
yoked. and eight more were surrendered
by clubs which failed To pay. OF the
total number of licenses granted, forts
nine were % clubs operating in greater
New York and forty To those throughout
the state.
Boxing as conducted under the direc-
ton OF the state Athletic Commission. is
in a healthier condition than al any other
time in the history of the sport I'm this
state The new rules and regulations
laid down by the commission nave taken
All the Objectionable features out Of the
sport have made IL clean. fair and above
board. out have deprived 1t of none of its
interest. The commission has built up
boxing in every way. and AT practically
every one of the important contests men
prominent I'm every walk of life have been
at the ringside.
New York was the first state To- estab-
lish a commission with jurisdiction over
boxing. Several states have followed the
example. and there are pending In the
senates OF several more states bills pro-
viding FOR the legalizlng OF boxing ana
the appointment OF commissions similar
10 that I'm this state, with fun mower TO
act The State Athletic Commission has
effected a working agreement with the
National Sporting club of London. TN"
leading boxing organization Of Eng land.
and the French Federation of BoXinS
clubs. In addition TO this Australia and
several other foreign countries nave
shown interest and desire to cooperate
and keep the sport where IL belongs.
The State Athletic Commission encoun-
tered many difficulties in the beginning
Many there were who scoffed at the idea
of any commission being able 10 control
the situation. and predicted that IN"
sport would soon fall into bad grace and
the law be repealed. The most serious
opposition. however. was met within the
ranks There were few promoters who
sought to tear down. rather than help To
build and openly defed the commission.
The governing body, however showed its
strength by revOking the Licenses OF me
laW-brea king organizations. The com
mission has been stringent in the enforce
ment OF its rules. and in cases where II
found that a new ruling would benefit.
new measures have been adopted.
The commission has defended num-
ber OF actions brought in the courts BY
clubs and individuals. The most impor-
,ant Of these was the proceeding brought
by the National Sporting club. which had
its license revoked FOR ordering It's ref
cree Patsy Haley. 10 give decision IN
the "Gunboat" Smith-Jim Stewart bout.
The revocation was sustained by the Su-
preme Court, and no other referee mas
dared the powers OF the commission since
that time
At each meeung Of the commission
various complaints filed with the secre-
tary aga.nst clubs managers, boxers ana
others are heard ana disposed of. the
hearing partaking of the nature Of
quasi-judicial trial.
There is movement now on foot pro-
NOTED by the New York Athletic CLUB,
to place wrestling as well as boxing
under the control Of the State Athletic
Commission Through "a combination OF
circumstances, the mat game has been
run down 10 point where II is now al
most discredited and the many enthu-
siasts believe that under capable super
vision the same reforms could be worked
a. have been worked with boxing
The bouts scheduled for tonight are as
follows: Willie Beecher VS.. Knockout
Sweeney. frankie Confrey Us. Joe
Aooney AT the ST Nicholas Athletic
Club: Frankie Fleming vs.. PM Bloom
Marty Allen VS. Young Lustig, at the
Atlantic Garden Athletic club. waiter
Brooks VS. kid" Black Jimmy Butte VS.
Young" Mahoney. at the Fairmont AIN
letic Club frankie Burns vs. young
Herman. at Browns Gymnasium: Soldier
Kearns vs. Tim Logan lat the irving Atm
letic CLUB. and Mickey Brown vs.
Young" solsberg. at the Gowanus Atm
iett t.,A