The New York herald., 1922-07-11
MULDOON REBUKES
MULLINS FOR DELAY
Boxing Board Chairman Says
Wills Should Jump at the
Chance for Match.
BY CHARLES #. MATHIsoN.

Actuated by a desire for successful
conclusion. Of the negotiations between
Jack Dempsey and Harry Wills. Chair
man William Muldoon of the New York
State Athletic Commission yesterday
announced that an additional day had
been granted the principals to afiix
their signatures to an agreement bind
ing them to make a match Mr.. Null
doom was not particularly pleased with
the result OF last Saturdays conference
between Jack Kearns. manager OF
Dempsey. and p. J. Mullins, manager
of Wills and II these gentlemen do not
come to an agreement this afternoon
the commission Is apt to take somebody
sharply to task. In commenting on the
situation, Chairman Muldoon said:
II was somewhat surprised that Null
Inns failed to sign the agreement last
Saturday, AMI amazed that he should
ask that he and Kearns should meet In
the office of this commission and con-
duct their matchmaking activities. This
Is not a matchmaking bureau, and our
only interest In the matter Is to see
that champions defend their titles under
reasonable conditions.
80 far as 1 have been able to dis
cover Mullins's only objection TO the
form of agreement submitted to him to
sign was that II did not contain n
clause requiring the contest to be held
under the rules OF the New York State
Athletic Commission. 1t follows as a
matter of course that the contest would
be held under the rules of this COM
mission II the promoter who made the
highest bid decided to stage the bout
in this State. But II the bout were
to take place In ring outside this
Hn - trt,vnn
ask that the New York commission
rules prevail. Most assuredly this
commission would not ask any such
thing OF the boxing authorities OF any
other State. Mullins has not leg to
stand on with such proposal.
Objections TO Bids.
IAN additional objection appears to
be that a limit of thirty days be placed
on the opening OF bids. Why thirty
days? What Is to prevent the opening
of bids In ten days? Or as soon as they
arrive? And II bid that is salts
factory arrives the day after the
articles of agreement are signed. why
not accept It? What promoter who de-
sires to get the match Is going to wait
for thirty days after articles are signed
before putting In a bid? I fail to see
anyJnlnR logical IN Lndt OpJcCtioi.
'As to the complaint that Wills might
be idle for any length Of time while
waiting for a contest with Dempsey, why
should he be idle? With the announce
ment that he had signed an agreement
to meet Dempsey. Wills should be the
busiest man In the ring. Let him go
out and fight a number of boxers (nota-
bly, Tut Jackson) who would be glad to
take him on. Dempsey intends to fight
In the interim Of his encounter with
Wills. Let Wills do the same.
considered from all points OF view.
Mullins has no basis for delaying the
signature Of an agreement. BY his ac-
tion he Is losing in public estimation
all the advantage conferred on him
when this commission notified Dempsey
to make a match with Wills. II Mullins
fears that Kearns will outgeneral him
in the matter of financial terms. he may
dismiss the fear. This commission will
not permit Kearns to insist on financial
arrangements that would be palpably
unfair to the promoter and to the pub
lie. This match between Dempsey and
Wills Is a large enterprise and fully
| $4,000 persons will have to be taken
care of. II the match should be staged
in this State will insist that a large
number of seats be set aside at 81 and
SO for the benefit Of that part of the
public which would like to see such a
contest but Is unable to pay big prices.
They are entitled to witness big cham
pionship events in pugilism the same a
/ In other branches of sport and the prices
should not be prohibitive.
| Incidentally I will say that never in
the history of pugilism have the boxers
reached 80 high a standard as athletes
and as sober. self-respecting citizens.
But can hardly find language strong
enough to express my disapproval Of the
managerial element. which has but one
object in view--money-and whicf&sub-
ordinates the interests of the sport to
| that object"