New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-07
Solons Demand
Boxers Explain
Poor Showing.
Jersey Commissioners Sum
mon Wilson, Downey and
Managersfor Investigation

Bryan Downey, Johnny Wilson and
their managers have been invited to
appear before the New Jersey Boxing
Commission tomorrow afternoon to
explain away, if they can, the general
lassitude and lac,- of action which
attended their phlegmatic battle" for
the worlds middleweigh title at
Boyle's Thirty Acres, in Jersey City, on
Labor Day.
Wilson'S end of the purse, which is
reported to amount to $4,000, has
been withheld by Tex Richard, pro-
motor of the fight, at the direction Of
the Jersey boxing authorities. 1t is
understood that Downey has received
his financial remuneration.
If the two boxers and their man
ayers show disposition to ignore the
commissions invitation they may be
formally summoned. and if this
method is without effect it is possible
they may be barred from appearing
in public rings through the coopera-
ton of the boxing authorities of the
various states. It is regarded al en-
tirely unlikely. however, that either
Downey or Wilson will fail to appear
in Jersey City tomorrow.
Fans Could Answer Question
The announcement that the two
middleweights are to be asked to give
their respective versions of what hap
pened during their Labor Day siesta
was made yesterday by Charles Nc
Nair, a member Of the New Jersey
Boxing Commission. McNair said that
he and other members of the commits
sion were anxious to know "why Will
son fought in such listless manner"
Several thousand fans, who were
lulled into soggy September
lethargy by what they saw in the big
pine arena on Monday could probably
furnish the members Of the commits
sion with an answer to this question
without a moments hesitation. They
would probably say: because Will
son can't fight in any other manner"
And they would probably be right.
McNair said that the decision to
withhold Wilson's end of the purse was
reached by himself and Charles Lyons,
another member of the commission, who
lives at Fairview. The examination Of
the principals in the bout and their
managers will take place at o'clock
tomorrow afternoon at the headquar-
tiers of the commission, 536 Newark
Avenue, Jersey City.
Probe to Prove Nothing
Just what is expected to be gained
by the investigation is not very clear.
Wilson will undoubtedly swear that
he fought to the best of his ability and
it will be extremely difficult to dis
prove this. On the other hand, it
would probably be easy to find any
number Of witnesses to Mondays fiasco
who would be willing to swear that
Johnny's ability is very limited.
There is no doubt that Downey
fought as we'll as he knew how, which
isn't at all we'll. He aimed enough
seven-day swings at Wilson's jaw to
tire himself out and there was every
Indication that he honestly and sim
cerely hoped to put one over in the
course. of the campaign. That he did
not land one effectively was due to the
fact that Wilson saw them all coming
when they were still but specks on the
horizon, so to speak. They started
near the floor and came up with the
speed of q mid-Victorian elevator.
There was nothing about Mondays
fight to indicate that either fighter
was guilty of anything worse than COM
plete mediocrity.