The Washington times., 1924-02-14

That is why Villa could not beat
frankie Genaro in three attempts.
Although two Of the decisions were
disputed, they were disputed only
by those who could see the Filipino's g
wildly swinging arms, but were not
we'll enough versed in boxing
knowledge to appreciate the fact
that Genaro was making him miss
and outsmarting him from every
angle.
The average follower Of boxing to.
day does not appreciate scientific
fighting. That is one Of the many
reasons why the standard Of box.
ing has been lowered Of late years.
Back In Horton law days there
were fewer fans, but they knew
more about the sport. They
knew more and they demanded
more and for that reason they
received moro. Today any
fighter who keeps his arms in
motion becomes highly popular
and is rated a great fighter, even
though no real damage il done
by his failing fists.
In the old days ring fighters
were mostly Irish, English or
negro. The followers Of the sport
were members Of the same tribes.
They knew fighting and the
fighters had to be good or they
could not get matches. A false
alarm could not get by.
About fifteen years ago other
races began to take I'D boxing.
The effect Of this was at once
noticeable in two ways. The mum.
Der Of fans increased to tremendous
proportions and the. standard of
fighting was lowered. It was low
cred because the new element did
not understand the sport like the
old and was moro easily satisfied.
The new customers like the thrills
and excitement Of the ring, but the
sport still is too new for them to
understand as well as the English,
Irish and native Americans, who
from boyhood are accustomed to
settle disputes with the fists in.
stead Of the knife.
1t was because of the fact that
this new element now is in the
majority that the decisions at the
end OF the Villa-Genaro and Greb.
Tunney bouts were disputed. The
fans could see that the arms Of
villa and Greb were constantly in
motion and they concluded that they
must be winning because they
started a great number OF those
widely sweeping swings that SO
impress the average onlooker.
Most ring fans would indignant
Iy deny that they do not aDpreci.
ate the scientific side OF boxing.
Dut what they regard as clever.
ness 1s very different from the old
idea OF what constitutes skill. To-
day any T1ngster who can hit and
grab is called Clever" and INV.
one who swings both hands re.
CARELESS OF results Is called q
Fighter" -
The old idea Of a clever fighter
was one who used his wits To trick
his opponent into leaving an open.
ing and then shot through the
knockout blow without any waste
motions. That type has gone from
the ring and 1t may be many a long
year before 1t returns.
Little villa, member Of a race
to which boxing is a new snort is
distinctly modern in his methods.
He let's fly a dozen swings in the
hope That one will land. Nv the
time he lands that one. he has
wasted so much energy that he is
too tired to follow up his advantage.
II 1t were not for the fact that he is
exceptionally strong and enduring,
he wOtll0 mt hn a,,a.. : N----.S =
rater. : eOON @
Villa. or more likely his handlers,
are smart enough to know thar ne
10 not as good as the fans think he
is. That probably explains why the
promoters cannot get Villa TO risk
his title In a contest with q fly.
weight or to meet a bantam who
knows how TO fight ..-.-