Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-10
By Otto k'loto.

HENVER, Feb. 1O.-"Boxers, Ike
J ball players, are a superst:-
tious lot" The speaker, a me-
diminished man OF middle age and
more or less nude head, directed an
accusing twinkle of the eye in the di-
rection of a broad shouldered individ
ual.
The shot went home.
That's right, SOL" remarked the
broad shouldered one, rub 1t in"
The bald headed man burst into
laughter, in which the other joined
This fellow said Sol Levinson,
maker Of boxing gloves, to the writer
in San Francisco one day, was the
most superstitious boxer of them all
When he was in the rame, he wouldn't
think of entering the ring unless h3
wore a certain color belt and the laces
of his shoes were tied in one particu-
lar way"
Jack Root, he OF the broad shout
ders, and one time noted middle
weight, acknowledged the truth of the
accusation by remaining silent
''Levinson," he finally remarked, "is
sore because l didn't use his gloves"
Then Root told why he didn't use
the Levinson boxing glove, as did
most of the champions of his day, as
well as those of the present period.
7 DIDN'T use Soils gloves because
had my own luck set" he said.
That is the only explanation | have.
| was afraid that If | undertook to
use any other gloves than those l al
ways fought with Id get whipped"
But he ddn'' tell il ALL" put in
Levinson. He neglected to state that
every time he was to participate in an
important fight he would write and
tell me that he wanted to use his own
lucky gloves and then ask me not to
get sore. He would even offer to send
me the price of a new pair of gloves
just I'd show lie was not a cheap guy"
Again did Jack Root look his guilt.
But | guess | wasn't alone" hs
parted. There were others"
sure agreed Levinson. III had
the time, I'd tell you about them. Box
ers are just as whimsical about their
gloves as ball players are as TO their
bats.
Levinson drew book from his desk
and handed it over for inspection
There" he said. you will find
specifications for gloves. -
A hurried glance through the pages
divuged such names as those of Tom
Sharkey, XII Lavigne, Jim Jeffries,
Luther MCCarty, Battling Nelson,
Jimmy Britt, Peter jackson, Joe Wal
colt, Stanley Ketchel, Carl Norris,
George Dixon, Mike Gibbons, Ad VOL
CAST. Willie Richie and several dozen
others that go to make up ring his
tory.
II DON'T see the name OF Bob F'itz-
simmons" remarked one of those
who were feasting their eyes on the
list Of notables.
mo remarked Levinson. Bob
wasn't particular about the gloves he
used He didn't have to be to knock
his men out. And, besides, Fitz was
a business man"
The remark as to FItz being a bust
ness man naturally called for an ex-
plana ton. and 1t was not without
some hesitation that the boxing glove
man consented TO give It,
When Fitzsimmons was champion"
ne finally said Il manufactured what
was considered a very fast punching
hae one day Fitz walked into the
business house with which | was con-
ucctod and saw ono Of the bags hang
ing from a platform as a sample lie
gave the bag a punch and it came
back like flash. That interested
him. Rob was an expert bag puncher.
He spent some time in tapping the
bag ana testing ii out. Finally ne
asked the price. and was informed
that the bags sold for $3.50 each.
TELL YOU what | will do said
tit2, give me two of the bags and |
viii advertise them for YOU"
'tttzsimmons thus showed himself
to be business man." declared Levin
son, but he didn't get the bags.
He believed in getting paid for
what he used, and thus it was that in
his fights he usually wore the gloves