El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-15

rTAvANA. Cuba, April 15.-The
boxing game. which seemed to be
- gaining a strong foothold among
the Cubans and other residents OF the
island a year or more ago, received
quite a setback Immediately follow
ing the Willard johnson fight OF April
q. 1915.
It was not the holding Of the cham
pionship battle, nor the result that had
anything 70 do with iniuring the
game: on the contrary il would have
had a beneficial effect, as the Cubans
were just as anxious to see Jack John
son dethrOned as any person in the
states II was the aftermath Of the
big fight and the numerous alleged
crooked deals which were handed out
that did the damage, also the one
sided matching OF the Few CUBAN DoA-
ers in the game.
Instead OF matching the home talent
with men OF their own class or speed
they were sent against boxers or SUI
perior class with the result lnal lne
enthusiasm was taken out or them at
the start instead OF giving some en-
couragement. From what have seen
OF the Cubans they are apt pupils IN
all lines OF sport. and II given mar 4
chance would make good. Ihey nave
turned out some splendid hillarolsts,
and would make good in the boxing
game if given the proper teaching and
encoura cement
One Instance in Point.
The Cuban heavyweight champion
was sent against Lester Johnson,
negro heavyweight Of the states, be-
fore he had q chance to really become
2 good amateur boxer. Johnson is one
Of the toughest men TO beat in the
business when he knows he has the
edge, so what chance had the poor
cuban against such odds. or course,
he was beaten badly, and other
Cuban boxers the same way, and still
some Of the promoters expected this
kind o. game would appeal TO the
sport loving Cubans.
Need Good BOTinE Instructor.
What IS needed first OF all is for
some high class teacher OF the manly
art 70 locate in Havana with an as
sistant or two and open a regular
gymnasium where the young Cubans
can DO given instruction in sparring.
In this manner they can learn the
game Thoroughly and when they
srsduate from the amateur classes
they will be on a par with the anna
tours Of the states. Then II will be
time enough for them TO enter the
professional ranks.
Cubnns are Ready Spenders.
The Johnson Willard match proved
that the Cubans viii spend their
money to see high class matches, for
fl was the home patrons that made
M most Of the S60,0OO taken IN at the
gate, and had the prices been lower
the chances are the receipts would
have amounted 10 CONSIDERABLY more
The Cubans also felt that they should
have been given more consideration i'm
the handling OF the big event They
have a great liking for Jess Willard
and would like to see him again. but
against a man OF real merit They
are much better posted on the game
as TO champions, etc. than Americans
imagine. They follow the dope m the
newspapers very closely.
Americans May Revive Game.
Many prominent Cubans have been
endeavoring to set George Bradt. who
fs referred to as the father Of boxing
I'm Cuba" and Capt. Cushman Rice.
formerly OF Minnesota, and an ardent
ai-around sportsman, 70 try their
hands at reviving the game Both the
gentlemen have been deeply interested
in the boxing game, and there is a
possibility that they will take the mat
fer up next winter; in fact when Capt
Rice was visiting in ST. Paul and
Minneapolis a month or two ago, IL is
understood that he talked over a