The New York herald., 1922-06-04
THREE Big STATES
have JOINED HANDS
New York, New Jersey and
i Massachusetts, Effect a
Working Agreement.
CANADA PARTY TO PACT
Middleweight Champion Will
son Already Suspended by the
Various Commissions.
CANADA PARTY TO PACT
BY CHARLES r. MATHIsoN.

New York State Athletic Commission
that champions must defend their
titles at intervals of six months in
response to challenges from qualified
boxers or suffer the penalty, carries
more weight than might be suspected
on superficial examination.
The provision of the Walker law,
under which the commission acted.
reads as follows:
ANY boxer winning championship
must defend his title in bona fide
bout to a decision against the best
available contender within period of
six months from the time of winning
his title. and thereafter every six
months If a qualified challenger ap-
pears, unless he is prevented by cir
cumstances beyond Lis control. in
which case the time may be extended
by the Board of Boxing Control.
Should he fail to do so, or should he
be unable to make the required weight
as specified in these rules. his title shall
be forfeited to his challenger.
mo challenge shall be given coi,sid-
GRAFTON unless made through Board
OF Boxing Control and accompanied by
suitable forfeit guaranteeing the sin
cerity of the challenge.
Complaints relating to contest, con-
testants or officials may be made to the
Board of Boxing Control by any con-
testant or manaooP concerned. or by any
official connectsd with club or contest" !"
Wide Jurisdiction.
The fact that the New York State
Athletic Commission has control of box
ing only in this State might be taken to
mean that It would have no jurisdiction
over a champion who lives in another
State. For example, Buff is a resident
of New Jersey, Kilbane lives in Ohio.
Wilson makes his home in Massachu-
setts, Greb lives in Pennsylvania and
Dempsey spends the greater part Of his
time in California, although a native Of
Colorado.
Britton and Leonard are the only
titleholders born in New York State.
However, the powers Of the New York
State Athletic Commission extend fur
ther than many of the champions seem
to think. This commisson has a working
agreement with the boxing commissions
of Massachusetts. New Jersey and Can
ada. AS a result OF this understanding
Wilson, who broke his contract to box
Greb in this State. is barred in New
York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, (his
own State) and Canada. II Wilson de-
sires to defend his title he will have TO
box in some small place, where the gate
receipts are apt to be small.
Thus II can be seen that IL the New
York State Athletic Commission served
notice on Johnny Kilbane, Johnny Buff,
Johnny Wilson or Johnny Dempsey to
defend their titles and either one of
them ignored the command, the New
York Commission would revoke the
license of the offending champion. Mo-
tice of the revocation would then be
sent to the commissions OF Massachu-
sets, New Jersey and Canada. with the
result that the title holder would find
his fighting territory restricted to very
Improbable degree. Notification has
been sent to Kilbane and unless he re-
spends within a reasonable time he will
find himself practically ostraczed by
the boxing commissions in States where
boxing Is popular and profitable.
Must Box Dundee.
It is said that Kilbane has decided to
bow to the will of Chairman Muldoon
sion in this state. 1t IL rumored that
Kilbane would like to pick his opponent
and has named Charley Beecher. This
plan Of the champion will hardly go
through, as Johnny Dundee was first to
issue formal challenge and post for
felt with the commission.
So far as Wilson Is concerned he will
not get a chance to box in the States
named until he fulflls his contract to
meet Greb,
Leonard and Britton have signified
their willingness to conform to the rul-
ing. and Greb Is willing to fight any time
and any place.
Buff and Kiibane are the only recalci-
trants. and there is small doubt they
will be properly attended to.
The difficulty of finding worthy op-
ponent for Dempsey may delay action In
his case. but It, is likely the heavyweight
king will not be permitted to fight men
of the caliber of Bill Brennan. If bat
tie ground can be found, 1t is probable
Dempsey will be notified to fight Wills
or take the consequences.
There can be no doubt that IL the New
York Commission insists on compliance
with the rule as expounded. the effect
on boxing will be far reaching In its
beneficial effects.
National Body Planned.
Plans are now under way to revive
the National Boxing Association, which
was formed during the reign of the In
ternational Sporting Club. but which
waned after the deterioration of the
Gavin organization. Seventeen States
were represented at the meeting whom
the National Association was formed
and the projectors OF the new body arc
confident all of the States Interested will
band together.
Once a representative national boxing
body is formed. the publication OF the
game will be speedily effected. II will
be impossible under such conditions for
boxers to violate boxing law and escape
punishment.
The instant boxer. manager or Sec
ond was suspended by the commission OF
one State. the culprit would automati-
cally be barred from boxing In any other
state a party to the agreement. This
arrangement is the only effective one
for the control of boxing and those in.
terested in the formation Of the proposed
association are working industriously
fer the consummation Of the project.
In time the American Boxing Asso.
citation will become affiliated with the
x~srnationaI Boxing Union OF Europe
which will assure a high standard oi
boxing all over the world.
CreeIx Wrestlers in Draw.