Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-12
JAY
SPORT
CHAT

The Bangor Commercial of Satur-
dan through it's sport column started
a little agitation for boxing COM
mission in the spirit of what they
term is for the bettermcnt of the
game" The Sporting Editor of the
Commercial says:
"Now that boxing is booming in
various localities in Maine. fans are
urging that commission be ap-
pointed by Gov. Baxter The sug-
;estion has been made that the legis-
lature be asked at it's next session to
give the necessary permission for
! such a commission.
Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and
Waterville are four centers where the
ring sport is going strong. and 1t is
possible that Bangor and Brewer fans
may have the opportunity of watch
ing the leather pushcrs at work in
this vicinity this winter if plans work
out well. There is, therefore, no
sion.
"Gov. Baxter will have little trouble
III selecting the right men and prom
inent fans who can be relied upon to
enforce rules and keep up the stand
ard to high point. Charles White
of Augusta, an old time sport promo
tor, could be appointed to represent
Augusta.
portland should have I represen-
tative on the commission, and some
Of the most likely candidates are
Harry E. Nixon, Portland attorney.
and Thomas H. Mcdonald, a well
known insurance man in that city.
"The eastern part of the state is
entitled to a member, who might be
mayor of one of the following. George
Foster, mayor Of Ellsworth: James
w. Greeley. manager of the aBngor
Opera House; John Mahoney of Bid
deford. the public health officer there.
"a few reforms will not do the ring
game in Maine any harm, to put it
mildly. Such mistakes as matching
a midleweight against welter, or al
lowing a boxer not in condition to
enter the ring. as the Utah las done,
can be presented Though the COM
mission"
AS one of our contemporaries
states. there seems little need of
boxing commission in Maine at pres
ent. When this matter was preached
before Gov. Baxter stamped it with
his disapproval. 1t soon appeared
that it would become a mere political
Job sought by parties who had an axe
to grind. Boxing has been well con-
Quoted here. and the public and press
have proved ample censorS.
One paper states that under
commissioner it would be impossible
to make such mistakes as matching a
welterweight against a middleweight.
care of this situation. 1t IS a misde-
meanor in the eye of the law to
match men more than five pounds
apart in weight. This can be con-
trolled by the civic authorities with
out the aid of commissioner.
1t is our opinion that the present
plan is very satisfactory, and doubt
that there would be any advantage
to have such a commission in this
State. At the present time it. is true
that in each of the cities where the
promotion of boxing is active, there
are two or more clubs sponsoring
the exhibitions. and in Augusta any,
way. this competition makes for the
lettering Of the cards presented for
the entertainment Of tho fans. This
State does not allow decision bouts,
which is just another reason why
there is not the need of a commission
here that may exist elsewhere. It is
true too that in many Of the States
where there are boxing commissions,
they have become the laughing stock
Of the country. especially is this true
in New York where they have been
handing out the titles to suit them