Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-09
BY JAMES j. CoRBETT.
(Former Heavyweight Champion Of tn
Worldly

Worldly
N1w York, Jan. Especial to the
Capital Journal. New York sports are
still hard at it trying to figure out why
Matchmaker Jimmy johnson of Mad
isom Square Garden selected Charley
White to box Freddy Welsh at his next
big show instead of Joe Shugrue, TO
whom a majority of local critics award
ed the decision over White last week.
Even Freddy Welsh himself, specially
engaged to report the battle for local
newspaper, gave the credit of victory
to Shugrue
Johnston has explained to press and
public that he believes he is feeling
the public pulse in naming White, that
Charley is a new face in these parts,
and chat the crowds welcome newcom-
ers, being tired of seeing the same old
faces time and again. Which would be
quite right if Jimmy really meant it
that way. But listen to the real reason
as it is told to me;
When Shugrue came back to New
York from his visit to Australia be was
interviewed by Johnston and signed to
box Welsh, at the same time giving his
word to appear at the Garden in two
other contests with any lightweights
the matchmaker would select Realizing
that a match with Welsh was chance
to make a big reputation Shugrue ac-
cepted the clubs offer, which was $
per cent Of the gross, not liberal slice
when Shugrue's drawing powers in this
vicinity are taken into consideration.
Then, after earning the popular ver-
diet over Wesn, Joe was matched with
Charley White, the Chicago lightweight,
who once came within an ace Of stop
ping Willie Ritche and had held Welsh
even for 10 rounds in Milwaukee, 1t
looked n corking gool match, but in
order to get White : signature the club
officials had to guarantee him the sum
Of S3j0O. Snugrus was offered 90 per
cent, which he accepted. The bout drew
in even figures about $4,000 White
received $35OO, about 80 per cent Of the
gross. Shugrue got about $4,000 after
the state S percentage had been deduct
ed.
Nov am told that Shugrue was FIRST
asked to meet Welsh in a return match
and offered the same terms as before
10 per cent--which he refused. And
believe the little Jerseyite was justified
in doing so. He iG a fine card in New
York and delegation of 1000 or more
can always be depended upon to cross
from Jersey city any time Joe puts tae
gloves on. lie Is like the Snowman who
carried his own audience. A fellow who
can boast of n sure following Of 1000
sports IN these hard times can safely be
dubbed extremely popular.
Therefore, according to my informa-
tion, joe was passed mp as the opponent
for Welsh, and White figures that he
can afford to give the Chicago boy
this amount and let Welsh have some
thing like 40 per cent Of the gross, as
am told he is to be paid, am at
a loss to understand, for II is doubtful
If the match draws as much money as
Shrugue and White attracted.
Say the receipts ammnt to 10000,
which is doubtful. That would leave
little II anything for the club. Welsh
would get $4,000, White $4,000, the state
$500, prelimnaries, employees, such as
ushers, ticket sellers, ticket takers, ETC.,
would account for at least $3.50 more,
The lent of the big building is $1,000 a
night There would bo $3.50 left for
the club owners, Hardly worth while
for the risk they assume.
While the promoters ought to know
their own business better than anyone
else It is hard to explain why they
should pass up Shugrue, big card 10
cally, and the boy pronounced by ex
perts as victor over White, in favor OF
che Chicagoau. Possibly Whites man
ager, Nate Lewis, talked Johnston into
it. If so, Charley ought to see that he
is well paid for his services, for IL Is
one Of the first instances ON record
where a loser was given match prom
isod as reward for a winner. And
If we can place reliance IN the news
paper experts, Shugrue was certainly
the winner
At the same time It may be goot
thing for Shugrue that he has beer
passed up for the time being. lie diC
not INT up such n good hnttle against