Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-23

may not prove worthy of a match
with the champion. Only the actual
test of battle VIII determine that.
Like willard Few Years Ago.
In many respects Fulton occupies
about the same standing in public
opinion that Willard did while he
was challenging Johnson for the title.
After this match was made ring fol-
lowers everywhere were firmly of
the belief that the black champion
would win without difficulty. The
affair was ridiculed from one end of
the country to the other. When Will
lard whipped Johnson there was in
slant veering of public sentiment and
instead of being the butt of near
humOrsts Willard was acclaimed the
greatest heavyweight in modern an
nails of rugilism.
Fulton may not prove as success
full when his opportunity comes as
Willard did, but as he has legitimate
ly fought his way up TO the top OF
| the heap he surely is entitled to a
chance to test himself against the
worlds champion. 1t is noteworthy
that Fulton is not attempting to i'll
| fluence public opinion in his favor.
He is showing this by his refusal to
| become involved in any wordy argu-
ment over the results of his recent
match with Carl Morris. Fulton be-
lieves that the press, as well as the
public. condemns only Morris for the
unsatisfactory ending of the contest.
Curlcy Framing Alipi.
IN this connection it is well to take
note of the efforts of Jack Curley,
manager of Morris, to smooth over
the foul tactics of his husky boy by
verbally attacking everyone who had
any part in the Labor day contest.
Not content with criticizing Matt
z, ,IIinkle the promoter and also ref
feree, Curley has signed out several
innocent parties and includes them
in the mud-slinging policy ne has
| started. During the past week, in
an open letter to the press, Curley
attempted to intimate that Referee
| Hinkel was influenced in his action
by Tom Andrews, w. II. Lisinger and
Bert Hedding, three Milwaukee mef
prominent in the boxing world. Cur
ley even went so far es { oclaim thai
Andrews and Hedding sent kilograms
to Willard Immediately after the con-
test and endeavored to get the proie-
Use of the champion that he would
| meet Fulton later. Nothing coulc
he farther from the truth. Curley
has deliberately questioned the sports
manship of these Milwaukee men fol-
the sole purpose of covering up the
foul work of his protege, but he Is
not going to be allowed to get away
with il without a comeback. 1t Il
plain to be seen that Curley is re-
sorting to every means possible te
help Norris escape from the storm
of public criticism that has fol!oweo
II him since the holiday affair. lie vii
not succeed because too many unin-
fluenced sporting writer's saw the bat
tie and they have not hesitated te
place the blame where it belongs.
Still Hopes for Title Match.
The purpose of Curley is plain te
all. He has not abandoned hope o.
securing match for Morris witt
Willard. Curley is said to have
contract calling for 80 per cent o.
the ring earnings of Morris and thi;
would net him a fat profit in thu
event that Morris figured in bou
with the champion. That is the in
centive now stirring Curley into al
open attack Of Hinkel and othei
parties.
The claim of Curley that Morris
was rapidly whipping Fulton Is EN-
phatically disputed by every one whf
was an eye witness Of that encounter
Fulton proved himself better boxer
! and q cleaner and harder hitter
When Morris realized that he wa,
due to receive a beating he resorted Il
having as his territory that in which
the same foul tactics of which Full
ton complained when they fought II
L New York city last spring. 1t wa:
the only chance Morris had, but for
tunately for Fulton. Referee Hinke
was courageous enough to take deci'
sive action when 1t became abso'
lutely necessary The criticism thai
is now being directed at him by Cur
ley and his supporters will do Hinke
more good than 1t will harm.
There IL possibility that Hinke
may attempt to stage q contest be
tween Willard and Fulton. 1t ha'
frequently been reported that Hinke
is acting as confidential adviser to
the champion so it is probable tina
whatever plans Willard may have fol
re entering the4ring will be DISCLOSED
first Of all by Hinkel If he does no
care to assume the responsibility fol
staging this match then milwaukee,
promoters stAnd ready to tackle 1t
In all probability either Ohio or Wis
consin will be the battle-ground 10
the champion when he again defend
| his title.
Il fIA