The New York herald., 1922-07-02
>Dempsey's Compliance With
Commissions Commands Ex-
erts Influence on Sport.
LEONARD'S TITLE INSURED
George Calza Looms as Next
Heavyweight Wrestling Cham
pion of the World.
By CHARLES r. MATHIsoN.

4 n u
Despite the charge that the New
York State Athletic Commission in
attempting to compel dlatory cham
pions to defend their titles on penalty
OF forfeiture exceeded it's authority,
Chairman Muldoon continues serepely
to issue orders to the delinquent title
holders.
The commission does not claim jur-
isdiction over boxing in any State ex-
cept New York. and has not asked the
boxing authorities of any other city or
State to sustain it's rulings in the
cases of Kilbane and Wilson. Yet the
champions of five classes have already
complied with the orders of the New
York commission. These are Jack
Dempsey, heavyweight king; Jack
Britton. welter champion; Benny
Leonard, lightweight title holder;
Johnny Buff. bantam champion. and
Johnny Dundee, 13o pound title holder.
Two champions, Kilbane and Will
son. who refused to obey the COM
barred from boxing in this State and
are in a very embarrassing position
so far as lucrative matches are con-
cerned. They were ordered to make
matches in defense of their titles
within a stated period, refused to do
so and lost their licenses to box in this
State
In addition, the commission has
named Dundee and Danny Frush. who
were first and secord with formal chal-
lengcs to Kilbane, as the contestants in
bout for the featherweight champion
ship Of America. This pair have made
a match.
The commission also has named Harry
Greb and Dave Rosenberg as the con-
testants in a bout ror the middleweighe
championship. Greb does not seem to b,
inclined to make the $50 pound limit OF
the class and If he does not soon make
a match with Rosenberg some othe:
middleweight will b. asked to do So
Thus, in spite of supposed lack of au-
thority. the commission has accom-
plished what all the promoters and
matchmakers of the country have been
unable to bring about. This has caused a
sudden burst of unparalleled activity on
sole object sought by the commission.
DeplOrabIe Situation.
..Thep. situation regarding champion
ship battles had reached deplorable
state. The terms demanded by title
holders were not only unfair, but exorbi-
tant. Some of the champions utterly re-
fused to enter the ring unless the con
ditions were such tnat they could not
possibly lose their titles. In many In
stances challenger, were disabled by
foul and brutal tactics. Conditions were
rapidly growing worse and point was
reached where it Became imperative to
check the rapacity and unfairness of
champions or to see the boxing game
practically wrecked
Boxing commissiers in several West
ern and Southern s. ates were so en-
crossed in considering the interests Of
heir own territory hat they entirely
lost sight of the bread questions affect.
ing the sport at lars.
The National Boxing Association, an
organization that might have rescued
boxing from its plight, seemed to have
relapsed into a state of innocuous desua-
tude, and not a hand was raised to stop
the dictatorial rule of few champions.
The outlook was gloomy when William
Muldoon, chairman of the New York
and threw down the gauntlet to the box
ers. big and little. Derision and abuse
followed his initial proclamation, and
some Of the men who had commercial
lied boxing titles insisted that Muldoon's
action constituted huge joke.
But the merry grins with which they
at first greeted his edict have faded
from their faces and ,they now wear a
serious or rather sullen look.
Yet, with the exception of two who
were the worst offenders against the
rules of boxing. the champions have
surrendered. and there will be more title
fights in the next six months than would
have been possible in six years under
the old regime.
In substance. government Of boxing by
title holders has come to an end. and In
future the champions will conform to the
same just laws which are observed by
those boxers who do not hold titles.
Muldoon's Attitude.
An amusing accusation has been
made against Muldoon to the effect that
he has changed his attitude regarding
mixed matches. It is said that Muldoon
did not think that Sullivan's title should
Roe forfeited because the champion would
not meet Peter Jackson. Conditions
were different in the days OF John L.
mission or any other form of authority
over the ring game In America. Sulli-
van did as he pleased, and there was no
one to check him. The only time that
Muldoon had any authority over Sulli-
van was when the Boston boy was train
ing for his fight with Kilrain. and 1t is
n matter of record that Muldoon COM
PEELED Sullivan to walk a straight mark
in the matter of conditioning.
Incidentally Sullivan did not refuse to
fight Jackson because he was a black
man. but because he was a better man.
Sullivan drew the color line only in
the case of jackson. The Boston man
made a match with George Godfrey, a
negro, and was stripped and In the
ring In hall In Boston when the police
interfered.
The action OF Jack Dempsey In COM
TO make a match with Harry Wills will
have n powerful influence on other
boxers. and 1t is not impossible that
the rebellious Kllbane may change his
mind and get in line before long.
II is of interest to note that Tex
Isickard has insured Benny Leonard's
,srecrous title for 100000 This on the
eve OF Leonard's battle with the rugged
Kansas In Michigan City possesses some
elrnificance. IL Leonard were to meet
defeat at the hands of Kansas (a knock
out would be necessary to deprive the
New Yorker OF his title). the match
between Tender and Leonard. which Is
cot for Boyle's Thirty Acres July 27