Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-20
Returned Soldiers
and Olympic Athlete
Have Doomed Boxing

New York, Jan. le-Among the many
sports under the jurisdiction OF the
Amateur Athletic Union which have
received the benefit OF revived interest
and popular support since the overseas
soldier athletes and Olympic champions
returned to- the United States. none
seems to have been given greater i'm
,petus than boxing. From every division;
throughout the country reports are be-
ing received daily at Amateur Athletic
assurance OF the popularity of boxing IN
all sections. Arrangements for tourna-
ments with the prospect OF bringing
about a series of interstate and inter-
sectional glove contests. are now being
perfected, IN the hope that before the
end OF this year q national champion.
ship meeting OF the best men available
in every class. from sheavyweights to
the bantams. may be brought to sue
cessful issue.
Renewed interest in this branch of
athletics is not confined TO national
contests alone. The recent arrival of
English boxers, representing the British
army ana navy and the London police
force. to compete with amateur glove
wielders representing the United States
army and navy and the New York po-
lice department marks the beginning Of
a movement which promises to develop
annual or semf-annual international
contests in which other European
countries will supply competitors in the
near future.
No better indication Of the firm hold
xxhto IN, tNrr Hu
the followers Of the sport could be CIV
en- than the unusually large attendance
which the New York state champion
ship bouts attracted to the Madison
Square Garden here this month. The
tournament at first was to be a two
night affair but SO. many entries were
received the officials were compelled
to extend the time and three nights
were required in order to complete the
program of IS bouts. From an attend
ance standpoint the tournament was
wonderfully well patronized, in fact no
such crowds have gathered here at
similar exhibitions in the last quarter
of a century. The number of spectators
each night greatly exceeded the gen.
erous gatherings which witnessed the
amateur boxing. when the sport enjoyed
its halcycn7 days many years ago at
the Metropolitan Opera house and the
big Brooklyn skating rink.
A more pretentious program is now
being prepared by the Metropolitan
Amateur Athletic Union officials for
an intercity tournament between boxers
representing clubs in eastern and mid
die western cities. Madison Square
Garden has been secured for February
% and "a for these bouts and 1t is
hoped that the added attraction of COM
petitors from Cleveland, pittsburgh,
Philadelphia, Boston and other cities
will draw capacity crowds to the big
arena.
The New England Association is also
busily engaged in the promotion Of in
tfrcity boxing contests and the diyis-
ion championships the dates for which
have yet to be selected
From Pittsburgh, Cleveland. Cincin-
natl, st. Louis and New Orleans re-
ports are being received of the progress
of the sport in those centers with as
surances that a splendid crop of new
boxers from these sections will be seen
i'm the National Championship events
at Boston. iG t+f -
In preparation for the Southern Asso-
cations championships which will be
held at Birmingham. Ala, on March IA
and 10, bouts are being held weekly in
the cities in that division.