Evening star., 1923-02-03


negro challenger. ~
Senator Walker said that if
against the bout because of discrim
color or previous condition of servi
by him as undemocratic, and as SUE
10 repeal the boxing law.
II the commissions action was
c!alism resulting from such bout,
Walker. said, in view of the fact TIL
commercialism in advance.
II have not yet read Chairman Null
"oon's statement against the bout"
aid Senator Walker, when asked to
discuss the subject. But I'll tell you
mis-, he added: III a Dempsey Wills
bout Is barred here because of any
discrimination on the matter of race,
creed, color or previous condition of
SerVitude, I Will Immediately begin
tAe task OF abolishing boxing en-
tlrely. AS an innate democrat, 1
could not allow my name to remain
on bill which thus discriminates
against an American. And If 1 in
.roouce a measure to repeal the box
9ns law i haven't the slightest doubt
as TO what will happen. 1 don't think
anybody else has,. either.
"CommerciaIism No Ground,
THE question of commercialism is
no ground for forbidding a Dempsey
wis bout, continued Senator Wal
seT. cannot see how anybody can
oetermine whether there will be
st.nate sto.nniercial element entering into the
SITUATION In advance of the bout Only
When the articles for such a bout
are signed IS this element determined
men 1t would be time enough to pro
iAIolt pout because of danger from
Dempsey bout is a COM
.aerciai proposition, why is not Mad
son square Garden commercial
proposition also? Why are not the
uches speculation conditions in Madi-
their commercial dangers? This is
q. condition which requires correction
oerore the commission moves to pro
signed
I have always agreed with the
commission that a mpsey-WiIlard
bout should be prevented. but T re-
saro Delnpsey-Wills bout as a clean
contest between two athletes of rec
osni.eo ABILITY and I am prepared to
.ns my name If ] am convinced that
aus contest has been prevented
through discrimination.
Muldoon Explains Stand.
In his edict. Chairman Muldoon said
tae commercialized conditions sur
rounding Dempsey-Wills bout would
produce an element which would
Jeopardize professional boxing If per
tnitted 10 go unnoticed. It is this
co!nmercialisnl, not any discrtmin ton
against either Dempsey or wills
which prompted Chairman MuIdoon's
decision. he said:
Auldoon made his statement against
a Dempsey Wills contest in discussing
the prohibited Dempsey-Jess Willard
oout. and in celebrating his reasons
for opposing bout between the pres
ent champion and the former title
holder.
Excessive publicity. the possibility
of disturbing influences resulting
from a worlds heavyweight title
struggle between Dempsey and any
present time and the tremendous
amount OF money involved, were cited
by Chairman Muldoon as reasons why
he was unalterably opposed to
heavyweight championship bout dur
ing his regime.
In detailing his objections Muldoon
drew Il comparison between the re-
enumeration received by boxers for
important bouts and the remunera-
tion of men Of Importance in public
and private life. He pointed to the
fact that a boxer like Dempsey would
rsosive for forty-flve minutes work
moro money than the President Of the
United States would make during his
'our-vear term of office. Highly ex
pert men in the worlds industrial life
not nearly SO we'll compensated
IS would be a boxer in a heavyweight
chanp pionship match IN these days of
high ring finance when promoters are
talkiug In half millions and millions,
said: Muldoon. This produces oppo- |
sition to such bouts because OF the
moral element involved, and, II per- |
an the existence OF boxing, added the |
r cad of the boxing board.
May Eliminate Offer.
.t appeared that Muldoon's edict |
would eliminate the only definite fight |
proposition now being considered by |
0enlpsey-an offer by Tom O'Eourke, |
Polo Grounds matchmaker, for bouts
this summer with Wills and Joe |
Beckett. ORourke and Kearns, how
ever, denied tho bid had been with |
. -awn
kearns has promised to give ORourke
4a answer Monday. If the offer was
rejected. oRourke said, he would make
no further bid for Dempsey match.
kearns reiterated his desire for |
bouts with both Wills and Willard and |
limited that an effort might be made to
Just across the California border. 80 If |
aot successful in signing for a fight, he |
said. Dempsey might turn to motion !
nictures for occupation.
Rickard States Attitude. |,
Tex Rickard, who withdrew from the |
field Of bidders for d title match be- |
cause OF his belief that the public was :
lar contest, has emphasized that his |
action applied only to the present SIT |
uation.
II am not out of the bidding for 1923 J
,,cfb OinIro oy-I Il o,lp .sT
will seek to match Dempsey with Willard |
or any other, suitable opponent as soon I
as I am convinced the match will have !
proper support