The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-06-05
Elm City Referee Demands
Compensation for Referee
ing Willie Jackson-Lew
Tender Bout and Brings
Suit Against Barber Pro
moter.

New Haven, June although it
was generally understood that Mon
days series of scraps at the Arena
would be the last of season in this
city, it develops that a bout of far
greater Importance and interest will
be staged in the civil side of the COM
mon pleas court the latter part of
this month with Dave Fitzgerald,
referee, and Vincent Reina, promoter,
as the principals. This battle prom
Uses to be to a finish inasmuch as it
involves two of the most prominent
men in the boxing game who have
long awaited the opportunity to go
to the mat with one another.
During the course of the Riverside
bouts at the Arena two nights ago,
Fitzgerald caused an attachment for
5000 to be placed on the box office
receipts, which represents just dou-
BILE the amount he claims for referee
ing the recent bout between Willie
jackson and Johnny Dundee, two of
the foremost lightweights in the game
today. Reina, who staged both shows,
never made any attempt to pay Fitz-
gerald for his services according to
the latters claim, with the result
that he will endeavor to collect
through the courts. The attachment
came as a big surprise to Reina, and
last night he made it known that he
would fight the case to finish. He
has retained former City Attorney
Rocco Iierardi, who is to defend him.
Local boxing fans are all familiar
with the facts in the case. Coinci-
dent with the signing of Jackson and
Dundee, Reina engaged the late
George Monroe to officiate as referee.
The night before the bout took place
Doc Bagey, manager for Jackson,
made it known that he would not toll
d crate Monroe as referee, and that
his draw decision did not meet with
the approval of the majority of fans
Fitzgerald would have to be elected
or there would be no bout. When
the time came for the principals to
swing into action, Fitzgerald, who
occupied a seat at the ringside was
prevailed upon to referee and only
consented after constant urging upon
the part of his friends and well
wishes of the sports. Fitzgerald really
saved the show by so doing although
present.
Reina in discussing the case yes
terday, stated that Bagley had agreed
to stand the expense should he be
able to land Fitzgerald. To this
Reina assented with the result that
Fitzgerald refereed. Reina, in pass
ing the buck to Bagley, claims that
he paid Monroe in full for the use
of his name, and that Mosey King,
who oficiated in the DreliminarieS
was also paid. He fails to under
stand why Fitzgerald should have
any money coming inasmuch as he
was not hired by the club.
Fitzgerald, on the other hand
claims that Reina staged the show
and that he is responsible for the
payment of all the officials. He said
that he would never have refereed
the scrap except for the fact that he
realized the bout might have beer
called off and Furthermore that he
wanted to meet with the request Of
a majority of the fans who demanded
his presence in the ring.
Fitzgerald and Reina have been al
swords-points for over two years. The
trouble dates back to the time whef
Reina attacked the Arena A. c., u
which Fitzgerald is president, claim
ing that the club was monopolizinG
the boxing sport in this city.
The coming court battle was LISTED
for June % and promises to have
some interesting revelations. Boil
men seem destined to fight the matte
to a decision and neither looks to j.;
draw battle.