The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-22

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sport has not yet been put upon
medium Of college competitions.
The names OF Lieut. Comdr. w. A.
Richardson and OF II. Merle (Spike)
Webb win always be closely connected
with the rise of boxing at the Naval
academy, the one as the organizer OF
the sport at the academy and an int
portant figure in the sport generally,
and the other Of the coach Of the
naval boxers. who for two successive
seasons stood at the top Of the college
mitmen. Richardson has been trans
ferred to another station, but Webb
remains, an is working with most
enthusiastic and promising body OF
candidates..
Navy Is Strong.
The Naval Academy is a strong
supporter Of boxing. not only as a
means of physical training and
character builder, but as an inter
,coilegiate sport. believing that these
results can best be obtained through
the medium of intercollegiate Meet
ings. Invariably, the squads are over
run with candidates, and hundreds
not able TO make a strong bid for the
team, engage in the sport for exercise
and recreation.
Up to this year, the Naval Academy
has had limited schedules, but for the
two past seasons, the only ones in
which outside competitions have been
held, II has been able to take the lead
ing place. Both years Pennsylvania
State was It's closest competitor. Two
Years ago the Navy won dectsively,
and last year by the closest kind OF
n margin. The teams viii meet this
year in a dual match at Annapolis
and again In the intercollegiates at
Philadelphia.
The Naval boxers win have these
matches this season: February is,
University Of Pennsylvania; Febru-
airy 20, Massachusetts Tech: March
4, Pennsylvania State; March IL, Nc
GIL University; March 16, IL and
is, intercollegiate at Philadelphia.
There win also be a match on March
II. and an indication of the growth
OF the sport is found In the fact
that the applications of eight col
leges for the date are being con-
sidered. 81
4 The Naval Academy has suggested
In an informal way match with
the Military Academy in boxing and
other sports. However, the Cadets
( are not ready for this arrangement
as yet, though they win have a linn
tied schedule this season. There
would be no stalling IL cadet and
midshipmen met for the honor OF
their schools and services, but the
officials of the Academy are conf
dent that such bouts could be car
ried ON in a fair and sportsmanlike
manner, pointing to the success OF
bouts between representatives OF the
enlisted personnel of different
branches OF the service.
Have Boxing Fever.
Spike Webb, the magnetic and sue
cessful coach of the boxers, did not
have to issue a call for candidates this
year. Immediately after the close Of
the football season applications began
to pour In, and over 500 had indicated
their desire to don the mitts before
Webb had to close the lists and say
that no more candidates need apply,
About 200 of these were relegated to
the class squads, and for the last two
weeks elimination bouts have been
going on, so that the first squad has
been reduced to less than forty. These
bouts have afforded some splendid
ksport and attracted much interest.
The first squad Is now as follows:
| Unlimited, Powee; 175-pound, e. A.
Cruise, O'Regan, Larson, Mathews,
waldron, Stoltz; 160-pound. Zotti leap
tain), Conroy, F1aherty, Swart, Mathis,
Ransom; 145-pound, Morehouse, Ma
lanaphy, SEVERN, Rooney, Monagin,
Barchet, b. l.. Cruise; 135-pound, Ill
ford, Moosbrugger, Kurtz, Woods,
Chaiison; 125-pound, Latta, Sebald,
Charlson; 119-pound, Voss. Pottle.
Hayes, Cranberry. A few others. mo-
fably Levitsky, a heavyweight, and
Hamilton, the football back, who will
contest at 100 pounds, are expected to
Join the squad.
Spike Webb, the boxing coach, Is
an Interesting firgure. He began his
course as a boxer, coach and general
athlete with the Public Athletic
League OF Baltimore, where he made
n big reputation. His chances for
bigger things came, however, when
he Joined the Twenty-ninth division
during the war. He became it's box
ing instructor, achieving notable sue
cess and winning the high regard Of
mis- superiors. He was chosen coach
Of the boxers of the A. Z. #. In the
International games after the armis-
tics, and, after accepting the position
at the Naval Academy, was picked
10 coach the boxers of this country
Mt the Olympic games in Antwerp.
Boxing at the Naval Academy has
been highly successful, and the local
athletic officials are convinced that
matches between colleges, carried out
,,nder the rules of the intercollegiate
poxfne Association Of America, will
IN. free of bad features and will,
within a short time, put boxing in
che place Of one Of the leading col.
iege sports.
IN s~ TsIJox - Coo.I,