New-York tribune., 1922-12-31

Harvey is the manager OF the Ber-
mondsey Battlcr and Tor that reason
might be accused Of being somewhat
biased In this matter, but we have
found that many neutral and disinter-
ested critics hold the same opinion
namely that Wells is 20 good that The
members OF his division refuse 70 have
anything to do with him. The situa-
tion makes Mr.. Charles Harvey ex-
ccedingly sad.
Wells is wel'erweight champion Of
Great Britain. where he knocked over
All the best men In his class. Tie came
here in search Of employment about
year ago, but has been utterly unable
10 find h. lie has never been seen in
local ring except once, AZ Madison
Sauare Garden, when he boxed f0r
charity and received nothing Boo The
way Of remuneration.
Some efforts have been made by local
matchmakers % find an opponent f0f
"Bermondsey" Billy. but the American
wolterweights evidently thought be
vas too rough and fatty refused %
mix with him. Billy has been trum
netting a challenge in the direction of
Mickey Walker, the Elizabeth boy VINO
recentlv won the worlds Welterweight
title from Jack Britt0n, but Mickey
ia apparently az hard Of hearing is are
the rest Of the lads In this class.
Matchmaker Explains Situation
What little fghting Wells has done
in this country has been out IN The tall
and uncut sticks. lie has never beer
able 20 catch on In any or the DIX
towns Of the East. When we asked a
certain famous matchmaker about this
peculiar situation be said;
"Td be glad enough 10 give Wells a
shot in my club, but ] can't md
man anywhere near his weight WHO
Il willing 10 get into a ring with him.
Looks as though he was TOO good 20
In most Of the big fight clubs, and
particularly az Madison Square Car
den there is constant demand Tor
new facts Here IL one that everybody
would like % see and who knows but
what 10 might relieve some or the
stagnation that seems 20 prevail M
the weltcrweight division
Mr.. Charles Harvey feels that ms
English welterweight BE- the victim OF
a bovcott and he rs going 70 call the
situation 20 the attention OF the BOX
ING Commission. he says. Wells, ac-
cording 70 Harvey, has several times
been on the verge Of securing matches
I'M Eastern cities. but each time the
other fellow found some excuse Tor
hacking out Of the arrangement. ~
one time he was about 20 dip ms
pen into tho ink 20 sign Tor a match
with Dave Shade, but at the last min.
NE Dawes manager thought better OF
il and Wells never got his name on
the dotted line.
The Boxing Commission has faith
cred a rule that A champion must de-
fend his title once in every six months
Tbis In fact, was one Of the board
not regulations for a while. The RUE
which was calculated 20 put lie IN
various dormant divisions, was un-
ouestionably a good one, but u was
never sufficiently enforced
Personally we have never seen per
,rondsev" Billy Wells in action and we
arc not In a position 20 say how gooa
bo really is. The Tribune holds no
brief Tor him, but IL would seem tnat
II would be only fair play 70 give tne
Fnglishman a chance. Wells, himself
declares that he does not demand an
ir,r,ediate shot az the welterweight
title and Is willing 20 prove MS nSht
10 a match with Walker By taxing on
the best Of the contenders. ms
sounds fair enough.