The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-06
BLAME The PUGS|
They're Responsible for Many
Farce Fistic Encounters.
Matchmakers Have to Do the
Best They Can With Material.
BY JACK VEIOCK.

New York, Feb. 6.-Have you ever
stopped to consider that inconsistency
in the making of boxing matches can
not be blamed on the promoters
alone? Well, here's our view of it:
Whenever a bout is staged that
proves to be bad match, and the
fans who have shelled out their per-
fectly good simoleons at the box Of
fee go away with a grudge against
the club. they generally have their
little hammers working overtime for
the matchmaker.
Well admit that matchmakers can
not all be perfect. If they were, the
number of bouts that are staged in
this mans town or any other town in
a years time would be cut in half,
for the said match-'em- would
make no mismatches.
But the point we want to make is
| this:
1t is often the fault of the fighters
themselves that mismatches are made
| by the promoters.
/ The fighter who is in demand can
usually gain some concessions from
the promoter. and he is often per-
mitted to name his opponent-any-
match.
| Like to Pick Lemons.
Realizing that he has the upper
hand, and willing to put one over by
picking a lemon if he can get away
with it, the much-sought-after
fknuckleduster will name somebody he
| is confident he can whip. The trouble
lies in the fact that the promoters
often fall fol his bunk, and the pub
lie, hoping that the beans will be
spilled. shells cut of the well known
| kick to see the battle.
/ Recently Grant Huge Browne, the
latest conner in the ranks of fistic
promoters. signed up Fred Fulton, the
| Minnesota giant, for three or four
| fights, and handed Frederick one
thousand cold slmoleons for his sigma
| ture to a contract. This was just after
Fulton had plastered the jaw of Tom
| Cowler in Brooklyn and Ereddie's
name was being shouted from the hill
tops.
Then Browne came out with the an
nouncement that Fulton versus Char
lie Weinert or Jim Coffey would be
quite the thing for an opening show
at Madison Square Garden.
But why Fulton and Weinert or
Fulton and Coffey?
What is there about either of the
matches named that warrants the
boxing fan to spend his money for a
| ringside seat?
Much Better Men.
/ Why not MiSke, or Dillon, or Frank
Moran? Fulton said, when he in
vaded New York, that Moran was the
| goal he was after. He wanted Moran
1 Immediately after he met Cowler, but
i nov it appears he is satisfied to
I jockey around with Weinert or some
body else who is rated several notches
below the red-topped Pittsburger.
Moran hung the Indian sign on Cof-
fey twice and was in turn walloped
to a fragile by Jack Dillon. Weinert
was also beaten by Dillon and again
by Billy Miske, and Miske, who has
plenty of height, reach and punch,
made great showing with Dillon on
two occasions. Then why not Dillon
or Miske for the big plasterer?
| Another instance can be found in
Les DarcyS case, though at this time
| Darcy has not shown his wares When
he landed in New York he said,
right off the reel, that he wanted to
meet the best boys in the business.
Ihen ne turned around and pointed to
Al Mccoy, who claims the champion
ship of the middleweight class, but is
not considered a champion by any
| manner of means. Why should OAR
cy, the great middleweight champion
OF Australia, pick on AL Mccoy?
1t is our belief that in order to
elevate the boxing game, and put it
in strong enough with the fistic pub
lie so that whenever it totters il will
receive the unanimous support of the
public, more care should be used in
the making of matches
And the fighters are just as much
to blame for poor bouts as the pro
meters.