Evening star., 1916-10-01
BOXERS HURT GAME
Old Story of Trying to Grab
Everything in Sight.
PROMOTERS SUFFER MOST
With No Forfeit UP, Fighters Wait
Until Last Minute to Spring
Hold-Up.
BY T. S. ANDREWS.


Special Dispatch The Star.
MILWAUKEE, September S0.-The
complaints of boxing promoters against
boxers have been frequent of late. 1t
is the same old story about boxers. and
their managers trying to grab off every
thing in sight. l had a long letter the
other day from a promoter in one OF
the Ohio towns where twenty-round
contests have been permitted during
the past few years, but it seems that
through the grab-aH policy of some of the
fighters. the game has been killed in
this particular place for the time being.
The promoter. in his letter, said he had
spent considerable money in arranging
matters only to find at the eleventh
hour that one of the fighters tried to
hold him up and spoiled everything.
As he had no forfeit posted, it was i'm
possible to get back at him. and as
result the fans became soured on the
game and had tine whole thing declared
off They now are making strong ef-
forts to induce the authorities to re-
scinG their order and permit them to
get boxers who will live up to their
agreements.
That is only one instance of many
where the fighters have tried to kill
their own game. 1t is hard to under
stand why they do it. but. no matter
how much argument may be put for
ward they go through with the same
thing over and over again. They think
of no one but themselves and they do
not seem to care what injury they do
the game SO long as they can grab off
their money for the time being. All
they care about is to get the coin, and
If the game is killed in a place where
they have helped bury it, they SIM
ply go on to the next town and con-,
tinue their work.
1t is to be regretted that boxers do
not use a little more judgment and
pick out managers of better caliber
and with a little more common sense
than they do. II there are a dozen
care of their interests in businesslike
manner and one bad egg, 1t is almost
a cinch that the boxer will pick the
poor one
IT is just these little things that do so
much to hurt the boxing game. but
they are gradually being overcome by
the adoption in many states and cities,
OF the commission plan. This seems to
be the only means of protecting the
game and putting it on a safe basis.
The latest news from England in re-
gard to the boxing game is to the eff
feet that Bombardier Wells. who re-
Gently defeated Dick Smith for the
heavyweight championship of Great
Britain, is once more in the good
graces of the%fans there and now is
being boosted for world heavyweight
championship match. There are many
of the sporting men on the other side
who would gladly back Wells in
match against Willard for the title.
They are convinced that he has over
come a great deal of his former
tImidity in the ring and also that he
Is much stronger about the body than
formerly and can take a blow now
without collapsing. However, there
still is doubt whether the Bombardier
VIII be able to meet Willard in a
championship match. He belongs to
one of the regiments there and is liable
TO be called to the front at any time,
and If he is it is a question whether he
VIII return There have been a great
many boxers killed in action during
the past year or two. but up to the
present time the Bombardier has been
fortunate in escaping the bullets.
IL ~ hkely that championship match
Tor the welterweight title of England
VIII be arranged between Johnny Bas-
ham, present holder. and Eddie Beattie.
the Scotch champion. These boys have
pattled before and put UP great con-
test Beattie has just posted a forfeit
of $500 to bind a match with Bashar1
and 1t is probable that the London
Sporting Club will offer a purse for
the match some time during November.
jim sullivan, who formerly held the
middie-weight championship wants to
get back in the game. although he an
nounoed some time ago ina: he was
through. Jim has come forward with a
forfeit OF $500 to 5iad match with
Sandsman Blake Blake recently won the
nJie and is bound under the terms of
agreement to defend it at the call of the
London Sporting Club. Sullivan has made
q request of the club TO match him for
the title. and 1t is possible the contes;
VIII De arranged.
Georse Clarke. who has been after
9iinIny Wide for a contest on the other
side. had a twenty-round battle with
Arthur Ireland recently and won in a
very decisive manner There are few of
tho sporting men there however. who
consiaer Clarke as having a chance
against the wonderful little Welshrnan.
Another contest fought about the same
ti:le was between Tom GUNNER and
sergt. Donovan The latter was no match
for GUNNER, who stopped his man in six
rounds.
Tommy Harrison, who aspres to the
Riddle weight championship. was defeated
~ fifteen rounds by Louis Ruddick Har-
rlson had been winning some very good
contests OF late and was considered one
OF the test boys I'm and around London
Digger Stanley. former bantamweieht
Champion. who retired from the ring a
year ago. bas decided to re-enter the
arena. and hac been matched with Sid
Whatly :or a :weaty-round contest the
latter part Of this month.
Je!n Driscou. former featherweight
champion, and considered one of the clev-
crest ANA greatest iiSttSrS In the world
has agreed to come out OK retirement and
meet Owen. Moran. the lightweight. in a
hfteen round battle. for 81 900 4 side and
The best purse offered by :he London
Sporting Club Moran has been fighting
til good shape since he re-entered the ring
ABOUT four months ago, and he has been
anxious to arrange q match with Dris-
col. This contest probably will create
Iapro interest on the other side than any
match t.sa: could have been arranged, az
both boys have bee. popular favorites in
their tine and have 4 host of followers
Since Johnny kiibane. tie leather
weight champion. defended his title
against George Chaney Labor day at
Cedar Point. Ohio, and won by a knock :
cut. there have been all kinds of stories
floating about RS to how easy Freddy