New-York tribune., 1921-02-12
Fighter Makes
Apology for His
r ~
Action In Ring, G,
investigation Has Comic
Opera Flavor; Sub-Com-
mittee Reserves Decision
BY w. |. Macbeth

The investigation of the New York
State Boxing Commission into the al
legged misconduct of welterweight
champion Jack Britton and Ted (Kid)
Lewis during last Mondays bout at
Madison Square Garden developed little
but comic opera lines. Even the de-
cision was reserved after the comedy
had ended, 1t was committee
composed of Commissioner Walter
Hooke, Secretary Charles White, Larry
Mcclure and Edward Ditmars, repre-
sentlng the Commission and the Lii
cense Committee that conducted the
inquiry. Decision was reserved so that
the full board of commissioners and
committeeman might weigh the evil
dence.
Irrespective of the punishment that
may be meted out to either or both of
the principals of last Monday nights
engagement Jack Britton scored one
decided triumph at the hearing.
Ruling on Mouth Piece
Shortly after the investigation had
adjourned the subcommittee in charge
made public ruling of the State Box
ing Commission which will bar mouth
protectors and kindred devices in fu-
ture. The ruling reads;
THE New York State Boxing Com
mission interprets Rule of official
boxing rules and incorporated in the
Walker boxing law 80 prohibit the use
of any rubber mouth piece or other
device. The referees. boxers and all
clubs are accordingly notified that only
those articles of apparel and protection
rs particularly specified in Section 5
will be permitted At boxing contests
held under the jurisdiction of the com
mission
Britton and Lewis were not only
represented in person, but by man
ayers, seconds and hangers on as WE'LL
and these latter put forward some of
the quips that threatened the official
dignity of the Investigating committee.
The welterweight champion frankly
confessed that after the second round
of the bout he had gone to Lewls's
corner and that while there he had
struck Zelig Goodman, Lewis's trainer.
ly, yet pleaded eXtenuating circum-
stances. He declared that Goodman
pushe him roughly and that he was
afraid he was about to encounter per-
sonal assault. He justified his most
unusual method of protest against the
use by Lewis of rubber mouthpiecc
(Which Britton characterized as a
shock absorber) and argued the use Of
such was in violation Of the boxing
rules Of the state.
When Lewis was asked to explain
why he had made pass at Britton he
said he thought the latter had come
over to his corner to hit him.
sat down rs soon as Harvey Ted's
manager called for me-" concluded the
Kid.
Acts as Shock Absorber
Britton submitted as evidence n
mouthpiece such as the one he alleged
Lewis wore. This he characterized as
a shock absorber. He declared it
greatly reduced the effect of blow to
the jaw.
Lewis said he wore the protector for
tender lips and to prevent having lis
teeth driven through the lips He ex-
hibited TIE Inns n question
"Why don't you have your teeth
fled?' suggested Dumb Dan Morgan,
manager of Britton,
Don't indulge in personalities here"
warned Commissioner Hooke.
"Why did YOU strike at Britton >"
Lewis was asked.
He hit my trainer, and the referee
vas against me all the time. replied
Ted
"Never mind; answer the question:"
interrupted Commissioner Ditmars.
II didn't hear him speak as he came
toward my corner" Lewis answered.
"and saw him swing as he .ame. |
didn't want him to nail me sitting
down. Goodman wouldn't do anything
wrong. He is as innocent as a little
Z baby"
"a Britton said he was thrty-fve years
@ old, that he had fought Lewis twenty
I one times, that he had engaged in over
400 ring battles. He admitted he had
lad trouble with Lewis over the mouth
piece four years ago in Boston.
"One good thing about it," suggested
Dumb Dan Morgan, "it convinced the
public that. even If the bovs have
fought twenty-one times, there was no
waltzing around
"Do you intimate that the public
might think the fght was framed ~
asked Hooke.
ooh. l don't mean all the public. -
said Morgan. "I mean the Annie Oak
ley boys, the ones that push themselves
IN for nothing and who start 20 much
propaganda"
HAS question been raised about
the bout not being on the level"
NO replied Morgan, decidedly.
Commissioner Mcclure gave Britton
lecture and told him he left himself
open to disqualification by going to an
opponents corner.