The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-28
By ROBERT EDGREN.

william Muldoon is chairman Of
the New York State Athletic Com
mission. That's a long way of say
ing he's boxing commissioner.
Muldoon is "on the level" This
is a puzzling ching to some Of the
gentry who in former days found
IL possible to whisper gilt-edge
promises into commission ears. with
resulting privileges and benefits.
Nobody whispers to Muldoon. and
Muldoon whispers to no one. A
novel situation. but with benefits
for the public and the game. Box
ing is being more honestly con-
Quoted in New York right now than
ever before. A greater wonder
wrestling is being gradually pried
out of the bunco class. It's hard
to put anything over on the square.
especially when there's square
jawed and experienced gentleman
like BILLY" Muldoon at the head
of it.
Muldoon's experience in wrest-
ling and boxing goes back into for
mer and almost forgotten genera
tions. Muldoon himself is one of
the finest example OF a young old
man in America.
He was wrestling champion of
the world. Graeco-Roman style,
before John L. Sullivan began to
box. We think Stanislaus Zbyszko-
present champion, is very old
wrestler because he is nearing the
half century mark, is bald as an
egg. and has a hard time keeping
on ton or so of bothersome fat.
Well, Muldoon, was the retired
and undefeated champion when
Zbyszko was having his first Crap
ping match with milk bottle, yet
Muldoon today has a good head of
hair, is straight as an arrow. spare
and muscular as Jach Dempsey,
and in fit condition to enjoy a ten
mile hike over the hills any morn
ing before breakfast.
For many years Muldoon has
been known as one of the most o>-
termined men in America. He
thinks before he talks, and when
he's stated his position it would be
easier to push over the woolworth
Building with crowbar than to
make him back up.
HOY He Met John l..
As a wrestler Muldoon travelled
all opponents at a time when
wrestling had no trust" to arrange
list of winners. With no more
mat champions to grapple with,
Muldoon lost interest in the sport
and turned his attent on to training.
This was about the time John L.
sullivan, husky lad with a wall
Top, wandered away from Boston to
go after the worlds championship.
Sullivan beat Joe Goss, then a
well known heavyweight. A few
days later Muldoon was standing in
the New York Exchange when a
tall, husky fellow staggered up to
him and said:
Are you Billy Muldoon?"
The stranger were a long m liz
tary overcoat of ancient cut, with
collar and cuffs of fur, belted tight
across the back. The sleeves were
six inches too short for his long
arms. He wore huge shoes that
looked like a couple of canal boats.
We'll, don't you know me?"
queried the stranger. when Muldoon
looked him over.
NO" said Muldoon.
I'm the Teller that licked Joe
Goss." said the stranger. Now do
you know me?"
And John L. Sullivan went on to
ask Muldoon to help him ira n, and
get up a benefit" for him.
Fighters got along in those days
by having benefits" in which they
boxed anyone who would set to"
with them. Muldoon arranged q
benefit for Sullivan at Harry Hills
old place, and sold $3.50 worth of
tickets. Then he had trouble get.
ting a heavyweight to fight the
Boston Strong Boy, and finally sug-
gested to Sullivan that he m ght
offer $50 to anyone he failed to stop
In four rounds. Steve Taylor ac-
cepted this proposition and was
knocked out by John L.
Muldoon says this was the first
four-round bout in America. Be-
fore that it was customary to fight
to a f1nfsh. 1m&gine q heavywefght