The New York herald., 1921-04-24
FOES OF BOXING
DECLARE RING IS
MONEY TAINTED
Earnings Of Athletes in
Other Branches of Effort
Creditable.
PUGILISTS WORK HARD
Even Amateur Glove Wielders
Draw Large Sums for
the A. A. u.
BY CHARLES r. MATHIsoN.

BY CHARLES r. MATHIsON.
opposed 10 boxing is to refer TO the
commercialism of the sport Canon
Chase, leader OF the down th-boxing
forces was first to fling the phrase
"sordid commercialism" at the boxing
element, and his example has been fol-
lowed by other blue law adherents As a
result, the impression has been created
in the minds of many persons that a
boxer Is not entitled to compensation for
his work in training camp and IN the
ring. In some quarters the opinion Is
held that a boxer should give his SER
vices free, which would tend 20 remove
the taint of commercialsm from the
sport.
This idea sprouted from the fac that
the boxers controlled by the Amateur
Athletic Union box for medals ard jew
eiry. But the fact remains that the
gate receipts Of all amateur tourna-
ne,ts go into the Golfers of the A. A. Y.
to the enrichment of that organization.
Thus, while the anna teur boxers them
selves are not tainted by COMMERCIAL
ism, the organization which controls
them profits from their efforts in the
ring.
So far as the question of asking n
professional boxer, who devotes all his
time to ring work, to give his services
for nothing is concerned. It would be
quite as illogical as asking a rrofes-
sional baseball player. wrestler football
player, trapshooter or experts in a score
of professional sports to forego their
compensa ton and exert themselves for
the sake Of the sport
The professional boxer works hard,
and If he develops sufficient skill to
warrant him fighting for a champion
SI,ff Ia fIgx, RAJ. ,lt, -
good sized purse If he does not become
a slSilful boxer his earnings are re-
stricted In order to become proficient
the boxer must start at an early age, as
few men who begin boxing later than
their 18th year ever achieve success
The boxer has a distinctive profession,
the same as a ball player or an athlete
in any other branch of endeavor
Boxers Have Rights.
Therefore a boxer has as much right
to earn a living through the medium OF
his skill in the ring as ball player by
reason Of his ability on the diamond.
The public demands baseball, boxing
and other branches Of rough vigorous
sport ard is willing to pay for the privi-
lege of witnessing contests between ex-
pert professionals. To discriminate
against the boxer and declare that he
must not be paid for his ability would
seem to verge closely on unconstitution-
Rlity.
Promoters OF boxing clubs, managers
of boxers. referees and others connected
with boxing work as hard and ably as
baseball managers. racing trainers and
those in other branches of sport. There
fore there Is no apparent reason why the
man engaged in the business OF boxing
should not be paid as well for his SER
vices as the men who make a business OF
other sports.
A race horse Is sold for quarter OF
million dollars, or a baseball expert is
sold for $lSO.o00. and yet the CONNER
ciallsm" is passed without comment
But when a boxer who by years OF
hard, dangerous work has reached the
point where he is to receive a large
purse for defending his title a howl goes
up from every rabid blue law bigot in
the land. Championship bouts where
large purses are offered are few and
far between, so that the average earn
ings OF title holders are not excessive.
The original complaint against boxing
was that it was brutal, but as reliable
figures prove that football automobile
racing. baseball and other branches of
athletics are far more dangerous and
productive of more serious injuries than
boxing the bugaboo of brutality has
gone up in smoke.
Another argument against boxing was
that 1t attracted a low class Of specta-
tors. This charge has been fatty re-
futed by the character OF those who have
attended the bouts Of the International
Sporting Club and those OF the Madison
Square Garden Sporting Club.
Thus the opponents OF boxing now
find themselves restricted TO the specious
plea OF commercialism, and that Is the
least convincing Of all the arguments
advanced.
AS boxing now stands In this State
there Is little fault to be found with it,
The provisions OF the Walker law are
admirable and the rules Of the Inter-
national Sporting Club can hardly be
improved on. Granted that these laws
and rules are strictly enforced by the
men to be appointed by Gov Miller,
boxing Will attain a higher position than
ever before in Its history.
Boston Scandal Grows.
Loud. excited talk continues In Bos-
ton anent the decision in the bout be-
tween Pete Herman and Young Mon
treaL Many persons insist that there
was a scheme to defraud those who
wagered on Herman, the logical fav-
orite.
The ringsde reports OF the bout agree
that Herman had all the better Of the
contest. and one OF the judges and the
referee have been asked by the Boxing
Commission to explain how they came
danfufng 10.