The New York herald., 1922-11-12
London Code Specifically Pro-
vided That Bets Follow the
Decision Of Referee.
CORBETT : SHARKEY ROW
Muldoon's Action Inspired by
a Determination to Break
Up Betting Element.
by CHARLES r. MATHIsON.

Calling off bets on boxing contests
Is an ancient practice and in most in
stances has been employed to thwart
the schemes of dishonest boxers or
promoters. Referees have frequently
announced from the ring that bets
we're called off. and while the action
thus taken has in many cases saved
the money of victims Of prearranged
contests. large proportion Of bettors
have paid their wagers.
The announcement by the New York
State Athletic Commission that bets
were off on the Britton-Walker bout
was the first time in history that State
boxing board has taken such action.
THE object was to forestall supposed
betting coup that manifested itself IN
The eleventh hour shifting of the odds
ln/fayor OF Britton to Walker. Fortu-
hately, there was nothing in the contest
to substantiate suspicious as to collu-
sion, and when this was made clear
n large proportion of the wagers were
paid. Naturally some of those who had
bet on Britton took advantage Of the
announcement by the commission and
fefused to pay much to the grief and
Irritation of those who had backed
Walker to win the battle. The same
was true of the Sharkey- Corbett con-
lest on which bets were declared off
by the referee. Many who had wagered
On Corbett refused payment, but the
majority paid their wagers. although
they had considerable ground for the
belief that the. contest was not all that
1t should have been. Corbett was
hot favorite to defeat the Sailor, ana
during the bout the former champion
gave Sharkey boxing lesson. In the
midst OF the ninth round Con McVey.
Corbett's chief second. climbed into the
ring and made an incoherent charge of
foul work by Sharkey. This action au-
tomatically disqualified Corbett and
gave the victory to the Sailor. The
Sailor had been very busy stopping with
his face Corbett's left hooks, and while
bharkey made an occasional rush, Cor
bett was not in danger at any time.
The Referees Authority.
The question of the authority of a ref,
tre to call off bets was ventilated at the
Time, and as all bouts in those days
ClS9S) were contested under Queensberry
rules. the fact was established that a
referee had no authority in the premises.
The Queensberry rules were brief and
merely made provision for glove bouts,
Three minute rounds and other features
bf modern boxing. There was not a
fyllable as to betting, but the final clause
bf the Queensberry code provided that
contests in all other respects should be
governed by the London rules. Tho
London code contained specific mention
bf betting. Clause 19 reads: "All bets
shall be paid as the battle money after
d fight Is awarded"
BY battle money was meant the side
stakes between the fighters, and the in
lent of the rule was that as soon as the
referee named the winner all bets must
be paid in accordance with his decision.
There was not In either the Queensberry
br London rules word authorizing the
referee to take cognizance of betting or
10 call off wagers.
II is true that the New York State
Athletic Commission has no legal au-
lhority for calling off bets and no way
pf enforcing such an order. Yet the
commission feels justified In its action
Tor tho reason that IL served to disor-
kanize the betting element that seems TO
have fastened its fangs on boxing.
l'hairman Muldoon Is bent on disrupting
the speculative element. and will leave
no stone unturned to accomplish his pur-
bose.