Evening journal., 1915-08-31
NEW BOXING BODY
Will help SPORT
Adoption of Uniform System
of Weights Should Boost
Game Sky High
FOLLOWING THE
FOREIGN FIGURES

The American Boxing Association,
which was launched at a meeting of pro
moters at Cleveland recently, should. if
.properly conducted, prove an excellent
&sng for the sport in general The as
soCation has taken the right step in
adopting a uniform scale of weights at
the outset, and also IN suttings six
months as the time limit for a title
holder TO defend his championship.
The scale of weights closely follows
the European and Australian figures, and
win have the good effect of making box
ing weights practically uniform all over
the world. There is a pound difference
IN the foatherweight limit, the European
figure being 1876 and that of the new as
sociation l25. This could be easily adj
iusted. as in the event of an interna-
tional bout for the championship the
contestant could toss for the pound.
Perhaps the hest thing done at the
convention was the omission of any ne
tion hv the promoters looking TO the re.
stricting of the purses paid 10 boxers
II was feared that the subject of the
meeting was To tie wn the boxers TO a
fixed scale of prices. but this fear proved
croundlcss as the promoters took no ac'
tion ON the subject.
In interests of Sport
This would seem TO substantiate tn,
claim Of the promoters that the real oh
ieci of the meeting was to advance the
interests of the sport generally, and moi
to further a selfish attitude by any o
those connected with the game
As every club that registers as d
member Of the association has paid &
registration fee of S25, and as boxers
and other individuals who became mem
hers will be asked 10 pay a membership
fee Of 81. IL is evident that the organiza
tion will not be without the sinews O
war
In fact. from the present outlool
boxing will soon be on "A basis where i
viii he able to take its proper plac
alongside the other rough but Legitimate
sports of America.
Ritohie and Mccoy May Complain.
Fortunately. the scale of weights will
not cause any Inconvenience 10 many o
the present holders of titles in thi
country. As we have no ilyweight cham
pion. the weight of ll2 pounds will no
distress any one.
The limit Of lis pounds for bantam
should he welcome 10 Kid Williams
worlds champion. for. although he ex
presses perfect Willingness 10 make II
ringside for challcngers, he viii doubt
less be much more comfortable at lis
There win be no protest from the ban
tam champion.
lust to Kilbane's Liking
There is small question that the fea
therwcieht limit of l25 pounds will b.
received with smile of satisfaction
from the American champion. Iohnn.
llilhane Although he did make l22 ring
side for Williams last winter, still h
! has been constantly growing heavier an
he win find 25 Just TO his liking
The one man who may not care 70
the change will be Ritchie. the holder O
the American lightweight title. How
ever, as l35 pounds is now the limit O
the lightweight class all over the worl'
II will be for Ritchio TO make the limi
or get ont of the class. II is question
able If Ritchic can make less than l3
mounds and be comfortable. and. there
fore. It win be for the association {
read the California out of the clas
and start an elimination series TO d,
eide the question of the championshi
in the division
The eclter limit is li7 pounds and. a