The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-01-06

Now York has become the center OF
the boxinI world since the new ftstic
| law went into effect. and Tex Rickard
has become The center OF New YORK
, boxing game. In other words. Tex
RIckard. right now. is the most prom!-
nent parsonage In Fistiana. HIS shows
a, Madison Square Garden are drawing
big crowds. at big prices. and the glove
m,n arc prospecting exceedingly "heU
they perform IN his rlng. Great stuit'
, in one way--bRd in another. Boxers are
already deman ding five times az muCh'
in other cities. as they Formerly re-
celved. or those cities can pay. %
can get i in New York. IL the stun
they hand out everywhere. ana u" re-
suit IS Inevitable; other cities must pay
far TOO much money for boxing. or take
inferior scrappers. or be content WIN
stalling exhibitions by top-notchcrs who
won't give their best excepting al
tremendous price.
Richard. however. Is having troubles
of his own in another way. In spite OF
the big money he gives. numerous head
liners don't want 10 fight where de-
cIslon Is given, and decisions are now
handed out In New York. Many cham
pions are being shown up AZ strictly
commercial or strictly yellow IN the
spine When 4 fighter won't take rat
purse for fear he may lose decision.
there's something radically wrong or
radically greedy with that fighter.
The most important pout OF recent
DAYS. az far as class and dope are con-
ccr1led. was that between Mike O'Dowd
and Jeff Smith In New York. All box
ing world has practically passed up
Johnny Wilson. the new middleweight
champion. Winner by a dubious dects-
ion. Wilson has persistently declined
to defend tho title. and even ducKed
out OF a match with Il smaller. lighter
boxer. Bryan Downcy. Downey going
at mis- best speed. would probably have
beaten Wilson. and the Italian cham
pion decided to vanish from the scene
Of action Since that timo. Wilson has
pleaded illness OF various kinds, and
cancelled all engagements This tired
tho boxing fans. and especially fat!gucd
Tex Richard. who finally announced
that he didn't consider Wilson worth
bothering about. and would offer a
belt, emblematic OF the middlewcIght
premiership, for Mike O'powd and jeff
F, Smith.
O'Dowd Is Il gallery pet and Il rea!
fighting. tearing lr!snman. Smith has
fought all over the world, and has
shown splendid class on all occasions
These two werc the real leaders of the
mlddlewe!ght division. and the better
man Of the pair was well entitled to
Richards trophy. They pattled valiant
": O'Dowd did most Of tho leading
, but Smith showed GOODNESS and a dan.
gerouS way OF countcring. At the fin
Ish the judges disagreed, and the ref.
, cree gave the decision 10 O'Dowd.
Quiet ruled among the heavywc!ghtS;
, they seemed to pc standing around. as
Il were. watching Dempsey and Carpen-
/ tier in their great act. Holding the
, Spotlight" Jack and Georges signed up,
announcing that there were one or two
, little points that needed adjusting. and
then signed up some more. thus keep
| Ing Ia the foreground all the time. II
I was announced that tho battle would be
held In Cuba. and that some wholly i'm
aginary Cubans had offered all the
money in the world for the big affair.
/ or this stupendous sum. Dempsey was
, to get 5000 600 Carpenter 100000, and
| the promoters what was left Notice
| the gall OF the whole arfair--a purse
OF $500. 900 announced by the boxers
and their managers, before Il eg!ttrnata
offer had been made. In the old days.
tho promoters always said what .hcyd
give. and the boxers said they'd take
| Il or refuse Il. Now. the boxers state
| what they must have before dollar
has been offered!