The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-22
THOUGH CASTING, M AGIC CITY PROVES IT CAN STAND STRAIN OF BIG TIME BOXING
Rv MAC


 Upon the slender table the vic- tim lies, still shuddering and moaning a bit, as the anesthetic wears away. MT. Birmingham is gradually recovering from the operation, but his nerves are still shot to pieces from the severe racking his palpitating body was given.
 The surgeon is grinning in satisfied manner. His patient has stood the test The trial will probably recover.
 Mir. Birmingham has stood the test, and Doctor B. A. c. is sat- isfied
 All of which means that BIr- mIngham has proven it will sup- port high class boxing, support it the manner that first class ring promoting requires.
 The Roper Berry bout was severe trial for the boxing pub lie, but the packed galleries, the hundreds tanning their way into the aisles Monday night prove that when the Magic City Is given a big bout, the Magic city will support the affair.
 1t was the crisis for the ring game in Birmingham. Now the crisis is past, and Athletic club officials are going right on with plans to continue the matching uf first class men.
 Perhaps the Roper-Berry bout was not entirely up to standard as n bout between well-matched battIers, but the attraction was a big one for the fans, and the hriIl that's found in sensational l1nOckOnts was there. The public didn't kick, and went away sat- isfied that for once things had worked out as scheduled.
 Should the club continue to bring first class men here such houses as that of Monday night will probably greet every show. Should a closer matched pair of battlers be pitted against each other in the ring, there would probably be only one result, ex- pansion, for the fans would de- mand admission in even greater numbers than those of Monday night.
 BURKE MAY MEET ROPER
 "Why not bring Martin Burke to Birmingham to meet Bob Roper?" someone asked 5. A. Cs OlIICldl l uGSAdy HUI nlAl6s There was no response, but knowing sort of smile playing about the corners of that officials mouth hinted that perhaps there was more than a suggestion for sucE a bout.
 In fact, 1t was discussed mt the club, that proposition to bring Martin Burke here to meet ROber and B. 4. c. officials didn't seem averse to the match at all. As for Bob Roper, through nIs manager, it was conveyed to the sporting editor Monday night that EI Capitan would be willing to meet Burke here for a guarantee. So would Burke be willing to fight.
 The question is, how much guarantee. If Burke and Roper are reasonable-6nd should be willing to gamble on the house it seems highly probable that the match would be made. Of course, the two boys would have. their regulations to think or, but, according to our way of thinking, the risk would be about equal.
 Against a man of Burke's calibre, Bob Roper undoubtedly would be a great attraction, and fandom would again purchase every ticket in sight, and wildly clamor for more.
 Just to clear up a bit of mis- information sent out over the country a few days ago, Mike Murphy, Roper's manager, stated that Fl Capitan has not been matched with Gibbons to fight on the Firpo-Dempsey card. However, Roper and Gibbons will probably meet at Newark, N. J., in O main bout, just two or three days before Champion Jack defends his title against the Wild Bull of the Pampas."
 so THIS IS C.ANAANi
 So this Is the promised land, long dreamed of by the Barons morning, they've reached third place, have those Barons. After yesterdays second consecutive victory over the Crackers, the Barons find themselves in third place by a margin narrower than a single point in percentage. Here's how they stand today, in third and fourth places, respec- tively:
 w. IL. Pct. Birmingham 50 55 .5107 Atlanta .... 50 6O .OI72
 A small margin. 1t must be admitted, but margin enough to decide a pennant. should two leaders ever be that closely buIfched at the conclusion of a flag chase.
 It seems rather strange for the Barons to wallop the Cracks CTS twice in succession, but stranger still Is the sensation in- spired by third place.
 Today will see the closing out out of the Baron-Cracker series in Atlanta, but not the comple- tion of the battle. Thursday, both clubs resume hostilities with twin bill After four games in three days at the Wood, the battling rivals will