New Britain herald., 1920-01-23
ALLEGE FAKE FIGHT
 TO BE INVESTIGATED
Neither Waltz Nor Lahn Are Given Their Money,
 Pending Official Probe.

Michael Souney. chairman of the boxing commission in this city, in dis cussing last nights fiasco at Bardeclls hall, when Sammy Waltz of Hart ford and Battling Lahn of Brooklyn were stopped in what appeared to be a framed up affair, issued a statement that will cause considerable comment According to MT. SOuney, an effort was made late yesterday afternoon by Thomas Cunning of Hartford to pre- vent the boys on grounds that 1t was not "on the lever' and was given simply to enrichen the coffers of Hart ford gamblers. The commission chairman, however, declined to inter fere when Cunning did not substan- tiate this statement to his satisfac- ton.
 MT. Cunning, it will be remem- bered, managed Waltz when the Hart ford boy first entered the ring. He appeared here on several occasions under his management. There oc- cured a split and Waltz has for some time been under the management of Hugh Rorty; referee. Cunning has since tried his hand at managing other boxers. When the mana cement of last nights show put on the bout between Waltz and Lahn in Decem Der, Cunning, it is reported, came here with deputy sheriff and tried to collect some part of the money, claiming that he had been directed by Leo F. Flynn, to act as Lahn's rep resentative in this vicinity. Just how this was settled is not known.
 Prior to calling on Chairman Ioc cf TP- ported to have called at the police station, where he recited his story. He was referred to the commission chairman by the officer in charge. Cunning maintained, in his recital, that the Waitz-Lahn bout was not on the level, but was being arranged for the purpose of aiding the Hart ford gam bling element, who were to back Sammy Waltz heavily to score knockout over his rival. Chairman Souney said today that he listened to Cummings story, but when he pressed him for direct evidence he was un able to back it up.
 The boxing commission is holding the money which would have gone to Waltz and Lahn had the affair been more successful. It is estimated that the gate receipts were about $500. The forfeits of S1O0 required by the commission from star bout per formers has been turned over by the stakeholder to Chairman Souney, and the S1, 900 which is posted by the prom oter is also being held until an investigation is made. Chairman Souney said that the commission will report to the license committee, and this body will go into details. Should it be found that the boxers faked their part in the show, their money and forfeits will be turned over to some charitable organization.
 The chairman was asked if in his opinion the Waltz-Lahn bout was a fake. He answered that it looked ''fishy'' to him from the start. He also said that he believed both men were implicated in the affair, as 1t takes two men to make fake. Asked if in his opinion the fiasco would in jure the game in New Britain, Chair man Souney said. ''It would hurt such men as Flynn, Lahn and Waltz, and they should be barred from ever par ticipating in an exhibition in this city,
 Attorney Sweeney of Waterbury. member of the boxing commission in that city. was an attendant at the eN- nibition, occupying seat with the local commission members. He has compliment the local commission on the manner in which it acted. That the naming of a commission in thlS city was a wise mcve can readily be seen, as d result of the action of the local body Although that body could not protect the public from such an affaii. as last night. it will, how ever. assuage their feelings by know ing that should the bout be ad- judged d fake, some others than those connected with the affair will reap the benefit. The last fiasco was marred by the running away of the promoter with all the receipts, after refusing to pay some of the fighters and leaving behind unpaid bills. The management last night. according to Chairman Souney. paid all the box CTS who justly earned their money.
 Chairman A. NJ. Paonessa of the license committee was asked this morning for an opinion regarding last tended the affair, but would not ven- ture an opinion, other than that the mill" was a poor one. He stated that the license committee will hold a meeting next Monday evening" when q hearing would be given on the matter. and all connected with the affair would have an opportunity to appear.
 Not in many moons has q sporting event created such a stir in the city Those who attended the bout said ,fhe preliminaries and semi-final bout were high class, particularly the Nor Iev-M cNultv hout