New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-06
Nezv Fists and
Faces Needed in
Boxing Contests
By W. o. McGEEHAN.

StagnatON mas Stb III uPNH '"N
ing game in this vicinity. We nate
10 admit it, because we are alleged
70 distribute information, or misinfor-
nation, in regard to the manly art
of mauling. Also when one begins to
insist that the maulers of the present
are not in it with the maulers VINO
mauled when we were lad 1t is
sign that age is starting TO give US
battle.
But the box office, which is the Off
cial gauge for nearly everything now
backs our contention that the old box
ing game is in torpid condition. The
Queensberry art needs new fists ana
new faces. It is crying for another
Cans or another Ketchel TO stir the
thing up. Every now and then some
manager announces that he has Just
found another Cans or ketchel. But
the Cans always turns out second
Battling Keefe and the ketchel proves
10 be a second Al Mccoy.
In the mean time, the boxing ian
sees the same familiar faces week
after week. Jack Dillon and Battling
Lcvin.ky have been boxing IN this
section nearly that often. It has grown
so familiar a sight that confirmed
rincsider can tell to a second Just
when Leyinsky is due to lead with the
left and when Dillon is due TO shoot
over the right cross.
One can stand for seeing Charlie
Chaplin in reel after reel, because he
varier his style of kicking his opponent
in tho chin. But a fighter lacks even
the versatility Of the moving picture
comedian. They have no change OF
makeup and no change of sets 10 carry
out any illusion Of variety.
Harry Pollok, manager Of Freddie
Welsh, believes that the slump in box
ing interest is simply due TO lack OF
appreciation on the part of thank
less public. Here's Freddie Welsh,
champion Of the world, and me, his
manager, so fiat that couldn't afford
one Of those blue ribbons that Dan
Mex etrick wears. and they're only a
iitney a ward in Paris. The public
don't appreciate the grand old game
any more. II John l.. Sullivan was
in the game to-day he'd stave to
death" .,
It's Welsh's own fault. If he had
varied the act little. he might have
drawn. If Charlie Chaplin had only
one reel he would have been for
gotten by this time.
Jack McAuliffe. who retired unde-
feated as the lightweight champion
Of the world. does not think much Of
the manly art as il is demonstrated in
these effeminate days. Jack was one
of the guests of honor at the recent
Weish-Leonard affair.
While the boys were Waiting about
the ring Jack held forth on his sew
en.v-four-found bout with Jem Carney,
Of England. The affair was called a
draw after the spectators tore down
the ring. and as the men were fighting
for a side bet they got nothing but
As he finished the tale McAuliffe
looked up AT Leonard and Welsh.
when do these two boys begin TO
box ?" asked ,McAuliffe.
"Why. they're boxing now" declared
I'm clad to know that" replied
McAulife. - had an idea that they
were playing tag"
As the bell changed at the end Of the
tenth. McAuliffe asked furiously. And
how much do those. boys get for the
show y!
"Well. not very much tonight" re-
piled the host. Leonard probably
gets only about $4,000 and Welsh a
mere $1,000, or something like that
With a maniacal scream Jack Nc
AuliTe left the grounds and. running
10 the centre Of Brooklyn Bridge, dove
a hundred feet deeper than Steve
Brodie. Just as he hit the water he
screamed, "Only ten thousand bucks,
and that's all"
Shamus Coffey, pride Of County Ros-
common, Ireland, and County Bronx,
New York, will box Jack Dillon on
Labor Day. And tina. night there will
be wake somewhere.