New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-20
Tom O'Ro,1rke
Resigns From
Boxing Board

| William Muldoon, chairman of the
New York State Boxing Commission,
announced last night that he had re-
ceived the resignation of Thomas F.
O'Rourke, deputy boxing commits
sioner. The resignation, Chairman
Muldoor said, was accompanied by no
explanation and had made the time of
It's taking effect optional with the
chairman. Mr.. Muldoon fixed this time
for Monday. Mr., O'Rourke, according
to statement made at the offices OF
the commission yesterday, is on a
vacation
What lies behind the resignation of
O'Rourke is somewhat problematical.
He has been mentioned repeatedly as
the matchmaker for the newly licensed
Republic Athletic Club, the organiza-
ton which plans to hold bouts at the
Polo Grounds, J. M O'Connor, pub
Usher of trade papers and magazines,
who secured the license, informed The
Tribune yesterday that he desired to
secure Mr.. O'Rourke's services in the
capacity of matchmaker, but was not
sure that he coud do so. Mr.. O'Connor
said that he expected to take the
matter up with O'Rourke on Tuesday.
Many well-informed persons in box
ing circles expressed the belief yester-
day that an entirely different influence
caused 0'Rourke's sudden resignation.
1t was freely intimated that friction
among members of the commission.
due to certain occurrences in boxing
c!slbs recently that have resulted in
much criticism being directed at the
states boxing authorities, were directly
responsible for the resignation.
Mr.. O'Rourke figured in an unsched-
| uled bout with newspaper man re-
Gently and was subsequently arrested
and released on BAIL In addition to
this he was threatened with a civil
action for damages. Furthermore,
wholesale suspensions that have been
melted ont to promoters, managers and
| fighters in recent weeks by the COM
mission, have been laid to O'Rourke
and much dissatisfaction and criticism
concerning him has been heard.
O'Rourke yesterday sent the follow
ing letter to the press:
Il have this day presented my resig-
nation as deputy commissioner of the
New York State Athletic Commission,
to William Muldoon, to take place on
September I, or as he selects.
~ have put in the most strenuous
year of my life settling the differences
between managers, promoters and
boxers. thought knew the ms and
outS OIL tHc DGAlng game, DuJ 4 Hau W
join the State Athletic Commission to
be taught the intricaeies and methods
used by the present-day managers and
promoters against the boxers. The
commission has been successful in get
ting rid of many Of them, and when
they succeed in removing few others
when they have on the pan at present,
they will be doing the community and
the boxing game the greatest gain it
could sustain.
Governor Miller must have been q
Solomon when he picked William Null
doom to head his boxing commission.
| believe am the oldest manager of
boxers, except Mr.. Muldoon, and with
my international experience Of men
amongst men of all countries I have
found William Muldoon to be the
GREATEST administrator OF boxing. 1t IS
only through his decisive mind and
work that he has put boxing where it
has never been, and where I, with
all my experience, never thought it
would be.
Should this state ever lose William
Muidoon as the administrator of box
ing the public ia general will be the
first to notice the i'll affects the game
will sustain. Sincerely.
(Signed sTOM O.ROURKE.