The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-14
LITTLE HEARD FROM
THE BOXING UNION
Steps to Procure Universal
Scale of Weights Not
Yet Taken.
COOPERATION LACKING
Until London and Australian
Clubs Join Success Is
Not Assured.
COOPERATION LACKING

Very little OF late has been heard OF
the international Boxing union formed
some time ago for the better control OF
boxing contests. At present, the only
contributions TO the union are France,
Belgium, Switzerland and the New
York commission. OF this bunch the
only members worth considering are the
French, New York and also the Wis
conSin commission.
Its objects are 10 promulgate scale
of universal weights at which world 3
contests are TO be decided and TO al
lot the respective titles 20 the candi-
dates they think most worthy. On
paper, the scheme is a good one, and
should be better patronized than il is
now, but until the London National
Sporting club, Australia and the Amer
lean states recognizing boxing are
members of the union, their delibera-
tions cannot amount 10 much.
AS matters now stand they hold Will
lie Ritchie as lightweight champion,
though his claim to the honor IS no bet
ter than that held by Freddy Welsh. In
the bantamweight class, the union
holds Charles Ledoux as the king PIN
despite the fact that the Frenchman
was defeated by Kid Williams.
Stars Not Considered.
At their last meeting the union de-
cided that Frank Mautell was the mid
dleweight title holder; but since then
he has been defeated by Jeff Smith and
Pat O'Keefe; so it must be presumed
that the honor is held jointly by the
latter pair. Such stars as Jimmy Clab-
Frank Klaus, George Chip and Leo
Houck are not even considered.
This question OF world's title holders
s one that sooner or later will have to
be thoroughly sifted out. bat it is very
doubtful II the International Union 9
selections will give universal satisfae-
tion. The differences in weight In the
countries practicing boxing presents a
barrier 10 any satisfactory settlement,
and nothing really satisfactory WIN
ever be done until IL is settled. In Eng
land the lightweight limit IS l3o
pounds at . o'clock; in America IT is
193 pounds ringside. and on the face or
this both Welsh and Richie claim the
mundane title.
Weight Differs.
It is all very we'll for critics to
argue that Eitcbie is.justly entitled TO
the honor because he beat Wolgnst at
1873 pounds, but who was 1t that frst
set the weight at that poundagef From
the ring records 10 appears that Jack
McAulifTe first set the limit at l5S
pounds ringside, but when he fought
Jim Carney he altered the weight TO
I33 pounds eight hours before the con-
test. After this McAuliffe boxed Billy
Myer mt 135 pounds ringside, and
Jimmy Carroll at 137 pounds. Later he
fought Meyer again when the weight
went up to 139 pounds, jump OF six
pounds from that at which he fought
Harry Gilmore in 1887. Over in Eng,
sand at that timo the weight was l3s
pounds, at which weight Dick Burge
beat Jim Carney.
Subsequently Burge met Lavigne at
1873 pounds and lost, the American re-
vertiug 10 the old poundage when be
was beaten by Frank Erne. From this
point 1873 pounds ringside was main
tanned by the Americans who succeed
ed each other in the title. The in
ference, of course, is that when two
Americans battle for the worlds title
the poundage originated by McAuhhe
goes, but the only legitimate interna-
tional battle. took place as far back as
1895, and then the weight was 13S
pounds at clock.
Whether the new union win succeed
in strengthening out the muddle re-
mains to be seen, but the great Stun
bling block to a reasonable settlement
is the conflicting interests here in
America II all states allowed boxing
and each state had commission 70
govern tho game, it would help greatly
toward forwarding the objects OF the
union Representatives of the Ameri-
can interests could then meet the Euro
pcans with full powers to act for tho
whole OF America instead OF only New
York state, as at present. It is this
fact that prevents the London National
S sporting club joining the union.