New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-08
DECISIONS IN
BOUTS MAY REST
With RING FANS
Question Interests All IN
View of Gibbons-Mc.
Farland Match.
COMMISSION READY
TO HEAR OPINIONS
Outcome of Clash at Brighton
Beach Seems to Rest On
Packey's Condition.

Boxing faas have two impor,a,, -
fairs before them at the present IT,
is the Gibbons McF arland match 49,
will be fought at the Ocean A. =
the Brighton Beach Motordroms =, :.
September II, unless the unforesss,
happens, and for the greatest puy,a
ever offered for a ten-round no-deeisio,
contest. OF even greater general ir'
portance is the matter Of PERMITS,
referees 10 hand down decisions In con,
tests in this state. The State Athls,;.
Commission is anxious 10 have 10
opinion of boxing enthusiasts on IA,
matter before any ruling is pronnl'
gated. II you have an opinion write !,
to the State Athletic Commission. Ia
you favor decisions or not? The al.
dress is IL Park Row, New York
The present agitation over decisior,
by the third man in the ring and ia
coming match between those mast,
boxers from the Middle West is pert.
nent. The question has been a,ks5
frequently in the last few days: "WiIi
Packey Mcfarland consent TO fgh, Gib.
bons TO a decision when he agreed !,
box a no-decis0n contest" Il Is some.
thing for the fans TO ponder. There |,
no question of the ability Of McFar.
land as an exponent OF the art Of self.
defence. To be more exact, il mjeb,
better be said There was no ouss.
ton" but Packev has no, fought to-
two years. And Gibbons, az the zenith
of his career, has been forging to the
front in that time.
Whatever action is taken By the box.
ing solons, it is the hope Of all boxing
enthusiasts that nothing will interfere
with this match. For several wears.
since Gibbons first emerged from CON.
parative obscurity and flashed across
the pugilistic armament. the fans have
compared his merits with those Of Ne
Farland and have debated the probable
outcome OF match between the two.
Repeated efforts have been made 10
match them. but nothing ever came OF
them. Packey would not concede an
ounce 70 this wizard Of the ring; Glib.
bons wisely refused 20 make a weight
which would weaken him and prevent
him, showing at his best. So he hsg-
gled over the poundage, and no Shy
lock was ever more eXac.ing.
Although neither Mcfarland nor
Gibbons has ever held a championship
title. they have long been recognized
as the best men In their respective
classes. Mcfarland was always a 10.
tie too big 70 compete at 1873 pounds,
and the men who held the titles when
he was in his heydey, first Nelson and
later AID Wolgast. steadfastlv refused
to meet him at any weight other than
1873 pounds ringside.
DackoN ra+f1eat n maakcn him self
TO make weight at which he could no,
90 himself Justice. So with Gibbons.
He outgrew the welterweight class. and
was too small 10 meet the best OF tho
middleweights. Later. of course. Nike
met the 15S-pound men in ten-rouni
contests. and never had any grea.
trouble.
For several years the enthusiasts
have debated the relative merits Of The
men. Both were accused Of picking
easy marks and avoiding the more for
midable men.
If both be at their best. a battle
such as has not been witnessed IN New
York or elsewhere in years VIII be
seen. In making an exhaustive search
Of memory. few names present them
selves which might be placed in the
category with either. There was the
inimitable Critic, Jem Drisc9ll, the
shifty Mccoy. the crafty Corbett, the
mighty Joe Cans. all wonders, bu;
there one must pause. Il may BE-
perhaps, that those who relish plain
slugging may De dissatisfied when
these masters OF defensive skill meet
but it must be admitted that they are
almost equally clever On the attack.
The question naturally presents IT.
self: Can Mcfarland emerge from
protracted period Of inactivity and hold
his own with such a master workman
as Gibbons?'