The Washington herald., 1917-10-26
READY FOR final
GONG in new YORK
Gotham Fight Promoters. However.
Are Not Displaying Much Ex-
element Over Situation.


New York. Oct. 25.-Although box
ing under the Frawley law comes to
an end November Is, local promoters
are not displaying much excitement
over the situation. Most Of them are
planning to continue running their
clubs under the old club membership
subterfuge. as was done before the
present law was enacted. Although
only three weeks remain, the expected
rush to crowd all the boxing possible
into the last few weeks has not yet
developed.
In fact, of late there is less of I'M
port rtance than usual going on in fistic
circles, although with the advent of
cool weather. the sport should be at
its height. The promoters appear to
be waiting until the daw with its 1-2
proceeding with their plans.
However, as a matter of fact, there
are not a graet many bouts of i'm
portance possible to arrange just now.
The heavyweight division could gen.
orally be depended upon to provide en-
tertainment of one kind or another at
this time OF the year. While the ef-
forts OF the big fellows drew forth
more ridicule than praise as a rule
their bouts attracted large crowds.
This year the heavyweight class has
dwindled away to nothing. and none
of the present set of heavies is promi-
nent enough to be worth roasting by
| the pessimistic critics.
A glance over the list shows that
there is only one big fellow who has
even the ghost of a chance to develop
into a worthy contender for the title.
Fred Fulton undoubtedly is the fore
most of the con.enders. but there Is
small chance that he will be able to
arouse a demand fora match between
him and Jess Willard. Local ring fol-
lowers will never forget Fulton's
faint-hearted actions in his bout with
Carl Morris last spring, when he lost
on a foul, after Morris had roughed
him until he was frightened stiff. Not
long ago Morris tried the same tactics
on little Billy Miske, but instead Of
quitting, Miskc although outweighed
by so pounds, became just as rough
as Morris and outfought the big fel-
low all the way.
Leaving out the matter Of courage
and determination, Fulton has many
strong points. He is a freak in build
and a furnishing hitter, with plenty
of speed and boxing skill. When
his nerves are not upset he looks
to be every inch a champion, but
when he loses heart he goes to pieces
quickly. With his great height and
reach, speed and hitting ability he
outclasses all but one or two oppo-
nents, so that most of his bouts are
so one-sided that he is roasted for
| picking out easy marks. On the
other hand. the public has no faith
in him as an opponent for the pres
ent champion. Fulton. therefore, is
in a rather unfortunate position, as
| no matter how earnestly he may
| try to please it is almost impossi-
BILE for him to make good.
To give Fulton his due he has re-
peatedly challenged all the leading
contenders. and not one OF them.
with the exception of Carl Morris.
| has had a word to isay in reply.
, Morris always is willing to oblige.
| but as he Is not boxer, but a wrest-
| Ter. who commits a score fouls in
every round he fights. there is no
demand for more of him.
AS for the others, Fulton seems
! to have II on them so badly that
there is no chance for any one of the
| lot to get his goat, as Morris did
with his wrestling and mauling tao
tics. After watching Fulton cut the
clever Charley Weinert to ribbons in
two rounds the local heavy weights
crossed him off the list.
There has been some talk of match
! ing Billy Maske against Fulton, and
this looks like the only heavyweight
! bout in sight that would attract any
attention. Miske has plenty OF cour-
age. as he demonstrated when he
wfdpped big Carl Morris, and he
might outgame Fulton, particularly
If he happened to get off to a good
start in the first round. But Miske
is not a particularly dangerous hit
ter, and he is not clever enough to
keep away from that cruel left hook
that battered Weinert into submis-
sion in two rounds. The chances
are that Fulton would stop him and
ruin very promising fighter
Frank Moran was tentatively
matched with Fulton once or twice
during the summer. but the Pitts
burgher evidently changed his mind
at the last moment, as nothing came
of it. Moran ndsF'ulton would draw
well. perhaps, as the former has yet
to take the count, even Jess Willard
falling to bring him down.. There
are many who are curious to see
whether Fulton can do better than
1n aA 4