Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-17
Championship IS Not The
P'rOpertN Oh Win1linq Person
Should Be OpenaA Az Times
Is Competition; Action OF.
New York Boxing Coinmis-
J sion Ii Declatias Titles
Forfeited II Boxers Fail To
Compete A Step Forward If.
Used Rightly.
BY g. D. LoCKLIN.

Altnougn amateur sports a their
difficulties which are confined for the
such troubles with champions as are
found in the professional class. A
championship by no line Of reasoning
can be claimed as the personal proper
~ of the Individual who wins it. yet
that seems to be the general attitude
Or athletes in all branches of pro-
1esslonal sport who climb StO a title,
and in no branch is it more p%ronounc-
ed han in boxing.
Amateur title holders must, defend
their championships when called on
or they are forfeited. There is no
comeback against the ruling OF an
amateur organization, and there does
not seem to be any logical reason why
such organizations cannot be formed
In all professional classes. 1t has been
very satisfactory in golf.
Should BE Open nj All Times.
Just as all championships are open
to competition in amateur athletics,
be open to logical contenders at all
ines Such is not the case, how
ever, and it is only recently that steps
, have been taken to force a title hold
er to defend his championship or lose
his crown: This action was taken by
h New York boxing commission in
cases Of Johnny Kilbane, Johnny
Wilson and Jack Dempsey. Having
Jurisdiction only in the state Of New
York, and not having the corporation
OF other commissions. the rulings are
effective only in New York. Both
Wilson and Kilbane have ignored tho
commission, but in New York they are
no longer champions in their class.
The title Is open to all contenders
there who wish~to battle for it.
Outcome Uncertain.
Just what the outcome will be 10
hard to say. ! With other states still
recognizing Kilbane and Wilson az
champions, there will undoubtedly be
confusion, but if the action ofNthe New
York commission were followed by
all such bodies there is no doubt but
that the effect would be wholesome.
1t Is without question a step forward
if,it is rightly used.
Jack Dempsey was unquestionabIy
lodging a bout with Harry Wills.
Whether he feared his proves or was
disinclined to box a colored fighter is
run afoul the New York commission
and has signed a blanket contract to
meet Wills probably hext July 4.
Joker Somewhere.
The question now is, is the New
York boxing commission being used
as a tool by Tex Richard. The ath-
letic body did not demand hat Demp-
sey fight Wills before any specified
date. 1t simply said hat he must
sign to meet Wills before July 10. Yet
it rules that a champion must fight
every six months if he remain a title
! holder. Tex Richard would not. pro-
mote a battle between these W. men
Ibefore next summer, because he wants
to hold it out doors in order to be
able to take care of the crowd, but
the battle is a year away.
Another thing in professional box
ing that needs regulating badly is the
matter of a champion fighting at
whatever weight he chooses, regard
less of his class. while he~makes the
weight. A champion should be forced
to defend his title at the weight at
which he won it, which in all cases is
the legitimate me-. but there is no
ruling by which a challenger can force
a champion to make any figure.
All Have Dictated.
Joe Cans had to let Nelson name his
own weight when the little black boy
got his chance at the battler. Mel
son chose his weight when he let VOL
CAST get a crack at the title. Wolgast
laid down the weight law for Willie
Richie when that dapper chap decid-
ed he wanted to knock Ads champion
ship block off.
Freddie Welsh had to say yes to
everyone of Ritchie's demands to get
a crack at Willie when that lad held
the title. Welsh even la to fight for
nothing and take a chance on losing
money-which he did.
Benny Leonard has been accused of
being a legitimate welterweight and
above the reasonable lightweight
limit May times. 1t is known hat
ne generally fights around 1877
pounds. But that does not lessen his
right to the title although it may lay
him open to criticism because he re-
fuses to make the lightweight limit in
title bouts. BY all the rules Of the
game the challenger must take the
champ OF underI the champs condi
tions and beat him under those ar
ticles.