The New York herald., 1922-06-25
Example Set by John L. Sulli-
van Followed by Leaders in
All Classes of Pugilism.
PROTEST AGAINST CHANGE
Kilbane in Revolt Against the
Ruling of the New York
State Boxing Commission.
BY CHARLES F. MATHIsoN.

regard as revolutionary the action
of the New York State Athletic Com
mission in declaring void the title of
Kilbane. Yet. while it may strike
modern hoxers as an arbitrary de-
structic- rf vested rights. the pro-
cedure is merely a reverison to the
sane and just conditions that pre-
vailed during the London rules period,
The action Of the New York commits
sion Is also in line with the boxing
policy that has always been enforced
in England, France. Australia and
other foreign countries where box
ing is patronized.
In substance, this policy requires a
champion to defend his honors once
every six months when challenged by a
qualified opponent or forfeit, unless pre-
vented from fighting by illness or other
convincing reason. Numerous instances
of championship titles forfeited because
OF failure to defend. or inability to make
weight are on record in England
Australia and France In the latter
country champions have been deposed
on other grounds. such as foul work in
the ring and various offenses against
the rules. few years ago an English
champion was dethroned because he was
three pounds overweight and the title
handed over to the challenger. An
other English boxer was suspended for
three years on account Of persistent foul
hitting. These instances go to show
that foreign boxing officials are more
severe than any of the commissions in
the United States.
The New York Commission does not
hand the titles of deposed champions to
challengers. On the contrary the COM
mission declares that the title thus
voided Is open to competition and that
the original challenger must meet the
next in line in a title contest. Thus
Dundee will not be recognized as feath-
erweight champion of America until he
defeats Danny Frush, who was next
to Dundee in the issuance of n formal
challenge through the commission.
Has Legal Authority.
In issuing these instructions to box
ing champions the New York commits
sion is sustained by legislative enact
ment as contained in the Walker law
In England the British Board of Box
ing Control has not a shred of legal
authority. Yet the members OF the
beard. comprising thirty of the leading
sportsmen of England rule the rine
with autocratic authority. They are OF
the belief that just rules enforced by a
body lacking in legal authority are
greatly to be desired In preference to
the haphazard and lawless conditions
that have prevailed in America since
the Queensberry rules replaced the Lon
don code.
The action OF the New York commits
sion is therefore the first intelligent
and legal effort by any American body
TO compel boxers. champions and their
rivals. to respect and obey just and
impartial rules for the government OF
sport constantly growing In public
popularity.
Drastic Action Necessary.
All who have the best interests oi
boxing at heart readily concede that q
continuance of the present conditions
as regards extrava CANT purses and de
fiant inactivity on the part of title hold
ers can have but one effect on boxins
and that a disastrous one. None but
the champions are able to discern any
injustice in the commissions edict
and IL the New York board receives
from other State commissions the sup
port II deserves the result will be ar
immediate Improvement In the sport
throughout the country.
Although the London rules permitted
wrestling. holding and hitting and other
unfair tactics. under the usages o.
bare knucke days no boxer was per
mjtted TO use his title for commercial
purposes only. A champion fought once
every six months or forfeited TO the
challenger One of the notable in
stances of forfeiture was that Of Johr
Morrissey to John c. Heenan. Morris
sey defeated Heenan May 90. 1857. the
Benicia Boys downfall being due to the
Gripping of his right hand by hitting q
ring post instead OF Morrissey. A:
soon as Heenan recovered from the In.
Jury he issued a formal challenge te
Morrissey and posted forfeit. Morris
sey. who realized Heenan was his mas
ter failed TO cover the forfeit and the
title went to Heenan.
TIE revert to modern instances, Kit
Lewis was stripped of his title oi
featherweight champion of England
when he left his native land and came
. TO America. Cook. Lloyd and Tracy
all of whom held titles In Australia
were dethroned when they left that
country. These actions by foreign box
ing officials furnish proof that they are
more strict and more severe In the I'm
position OF penalties than are American
boxing authorities.
John L. Sullivan was the origina
nual defense of titles Sullivan won hi.
title OF heavyweight chamnlon of Amer
Yea from Paddy Ry1., the least ab!'
-sitts.r that ever held "A championship
ia tni- country. Sullivan and Rysf
fought under London rules. and th'
Boston boy fought both Mitchell ant
Kilrain under those rules. But from
1882, when Sullivan won the title from
Ryan. up TO 1892, when he was de
feated by Corbett Sullivan was a Law
unto himself so far as boxing chal
Ienges or making matches was con
cerned.
Hs paid no attention to forfeits tina
were posted and absolutely declined e
, meet the best men of his time. Thes
were Peter jackson. Frank Slavin Jo'
Goddard and Bob F'tzsimmons Ali O
these men challenged Sullivan and undeI
the rules were entitled to matches 70
the cham mpiorship. Yet Sullivan COOL!
ignored them and fought only when h
pleased. Although he won his it'll
under the London code. nc lost II &C
eardlng to Queensberry rules.
sss The other titleholders in the vari
GUS classes followed Sulivans bad ex
ample. with the result that up 10 TIL
present time champions have dlctate'
all conditions of title bouts.
II will he unwise for the winner 0
a Dundee-F Frush contest 70 have his Wis
itinR cards inscribed "Featherweigh
Champion Of the World" Kilbane ha
for many years claimed the worlds title
although he never had the slightest righ
TO the honor The only title possessed
by Kflbana was that which he Woi