Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-03
DETAILS OF WHITE AND TILLMAN
BOUT FIXED WHEN GUNNISS SAYS "a
FINE AND MUGGS VOICES GOOD"
No Haranguing When Star Bout for Shibe Park
Wednesday Night Is Clinched- Contest Is
Arranged in Twelve Minutes
BY LOUIS II. JAFFE

TLINCHING n ring contest. in other
" words. signing up two boxers for bout
isn't the easiest proposition in the world,
and any promoter. whether minor or major
will vouch for that Matchmakers usually
spend many hours. sometimes days and
weeks In an effort to arrange a match
Statisticians never have taken the trouble TO
record list of quickest bouts arranged
and II there was such a chapter in pugilistic
history the Johnny Tillman-Charley White
bout scheduled at Shbe Park Wednesday,
night would appear right under the caption.
Last Monday afternoon Muggsy Taylor
manager of Tillman, decided to leave Allan
tic city, its boardwalk. beach, ocean,
breezcs and everything behind to HE him
self here for the official opening Of the 1917
Is season at tho Olympia Club He stepped
off on to Philadelphia terra frma at the foot
of Market street at about 80. Before
D. m Muggsy had n contract governing
bout with White tucked safely in his inside
pocket.
1t happened that we. too, came up from
the shore that pleasant afternoon. 1t also
happened that we had the pleasure of
tanning bee with young Mr. Taylor and sew
eral other individuals interested in the
boxing pastime. Not word was mentioned
or even hinted anent White-Tillman fray.
So II really was with surprise that were
giving the White-Tillman papers the double
o on arriving at tS olympia few hours
later. Muggsy said he had arranged for the
bout in exactly twelve minutes.
How 1t All Happened
This is how 1t all happened Muggsy
having one of his battlers booked in the
opening of the Olympia's show, trolley.rode
to the Riato to see what news was new
Robert Gunniss, matchmaker of Shibe
Park. was the first one to smile into the
sun-browned features of Taylor. How"
said Bob pleasantly, as he greeted Taylor,
and to make things all even, Muggsy came
right back with pleasant How"
Just thought of putting on Charley
White with a good man." was Gunniss's
lead to Taylor, and Muggsy countered with.
What about Johnny Tlllrnan. He's on
his way here now"
Fine" said Gunniss. How much"
twenty-five per cent" answered Taylor.
Fine" reiterated Gunniss. what
weight?"
What weight do you want it to be-"
queried Taylor.
Hundred and thirty-eight at 3 o'clock is
what Nate Lewis wants for White" re-
piled Gunniss.
Good" was Taylors only comment.
"Sgn the papers" came back Gunnss,
and he put himself on record as clinching
one of the quickest, IL not the quickest,
| bouts in boxing's history.
Speaking of Confidence
Tillman arrived in Philadelphia on Fri
day. and he was overjoyed to tip his hat
at Billy Penn again. This is the Mime
| apolis boxers third visit to this city, and
he admits he likes the town. Johnny was
| met at the station by Taylor and one of
his stanch admirers, Chris Dolan. by name.
After a handshake all around, Chris asked,
smlingly:
"well, John, what do you think of your
bout with Winter"
"I'll take him like Grant took Richmond, -
was the unhesitating reply.
The answer was so quick and unexpected
| that 1t staggered Muggsy, while Chris top
| pied over as If hit by Tillman's right hand.
He was up on his feet, though, before Tay-
lor started to count.
boy, you wn." said Dolan, but I'd like
to know where you get that stuff off of.
II it's out in the wild and Woolly there are
a lot of boxers around these diggin's who
should take Greeeys tip and grab off some
Of that confidence gag"
They do say that confidence is half the
battle but no matter how sure Tilman is
of victory he Is due for some tough
tussling. White is one of the hardest hit
ting lightweghts there is. and many pick
him even harder punched than Champion