The New York herald., 1921-03-12
Question Brought to the Fore
by the Chip-Ortega
Contest
BY CHARLES +. MATHIsoN.

There was an interesting discussion at
the Offices OF the Boxing Commission
yesterday afternoon in which Commits
sloner Hooke and Harry stout. referee,
were the chief speakers. Stout had been
invited 10 call and explain his action
during the bout between Battling Ortega
and George Chip. At time when Chip
was weak and groggy he struck OrteGa
below the belt and knocked him down
The blow apparently was not inten-
ttonally foul. and Referee Stout inquired
Of OrteGa II he was hurt Or II he thought
he could continue. Ortcga decided he
could continue, and after a slight rest
resumed the contest
The question at issue IS whether
man who strikes foul blow that doors
an opponent or dtsabes him 50 that he
IS compelled temporarily 10 cease box
tag should De disqualified al once. or the
injured naa receive time in which to
recover from the effects OF the punch.
Stout took the latter course and de-
Tended his ruling. He insisted that as
Ortega was not entirely disabled and
was able TO continue there was no neces-
sity to Genali2e Chip.
tn rule on the point Is explicit and
the subjcci of debate is as to the powers
Of the referee in interpreting the law.
Under the rules the referee must dis
qualify at once in case OF deliberate
foul"
"After one warning the referee shall
disquallfy boxer who hits an uninten-
tional foul"
IN the case of actual injury. even
though unntentional, the referee must
cisoualify at once"
The question IN the mind OF Referee
stout and Commissioner Hooko is as
70 the construction TO be placed on the
term actual injury" The opinion
seems to prevail that the referee should
be the Judge as to the degree OF injury
suffered by The victim OF fou! blow
Ir the opinion OF the writer actual
injury doef not mean physical dam
age that WI! send man TO the hospi-
tai Weak as Chip was he was able TO
strike q blow that brought the rugged
OTtega 10 the floor and he was uns bic
10 rise for several eeconds That con-
stitu:e6 actuai injury, boxer who is
~, below tho belt with enough force
TO double him with pain and compel
him TO cease boxing for time also Is
actually injured. and disqualification
should be the penalty.
II the referees are 20 be permitted 20
decide what constitutes actual injury
the door will be opened TO a succession
or tou! blows. The rule against foul
hitting WIS lTdHlel NOT QHiy ~ PTOlcII
boxers from physical injury but also
TO prevent foul hitters from weakening
cpponents b. illegal punches,
The argument has been advanced
,ha; tho Ortega-Chip bout was not i'm
portant, and therefore the glossing over
Of the foul was the best plan. on the
contrary. the humblest four round pre-
i.rlinary boxer is entitled to as much
protection IN his rights under the rules
as a worlds champion. II a champion
and a near rival were In the ring IN a
championship match and the titleholdcr
hit the challenger low and put him or
tho floor the title would change hands
in a hurry on e decision or foul There
also is a. natural disinclinetion on the
part OF referees 20 stop a bout because
the spectators may be disappointed. 1t
is high time the referees ceased 20 trim
their sails to catch the breeze Of popu-
tar approval and decided according 70
the rules