Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-28
KAY JAY
SPORT
CHAT


Several sports writers are announc
ing to their readers that Tiger Flow
ers and not Mike McTigue will be the
next opponent of Paul Berlenbach for
the light heavyweight crown. The
bout between the former champ and
the deacon from Georgia was decided
by the judges after the referee had
cast his vote In favor of the eolored
fighter and the decision by the moguls
was received with chorus of boes
SO Berlenbach is therefore In the dark
as to which of the fighters is entitled
to the match he promised the winner.
However. 1t is safe to say that If
the promoters Of the bout have any
thing to say about the thing 1t will be
the Georgia slugger who opposes the
light heavyweight champ in the next
battle, for the one boxer who can draw
the crowds wherever he goes Is Flow
ers. The Tiger fights every two or
three weeks and needs no extensive
training period before the bout and no
matter whether he wins or loses is al
ways welcome back to the same town
for a return match.
The real reason for his popularity in
this respect is generally credited to
the fact that Tiger Flowers is a col
orful fighter in every sense Of the
word. Comparisons of gate receipts
for different athletic events show that
it isn't always the most scientific
boxers or the best ball clubs or the
best horse races that draw the crowds.
1t is the team or individual that keeps
the crowd guessing and at the same
hok t,rf, "a
the arena or the park. JEFF Smith in
his time was one OF the best fighters
In his division but he was never the
drawing card that Tiger Flowers or
King Solomon have been. The battler
from Bayonne was clear, Geld and al
most coioriess. IL JEFF was way out
In front he never showed 1t BY any
great display of joy. and il his face
was being decorated with an assort-
ment OF waliops he merely covered UP
and took his medicine like a little
man. In other words. boxing wss a
business with him and his every action
showed II.
Jock Malone of st. Paul and King
Solomon of Panama are two other
fighters that rank well with the Tiger
as a drawing card. Malone either
buries his man under a barrage of
blows or takes a lot of ii himself and
covering up is lost art with him.
The stately king takes his beatings
as a matter of course and usually
ends his wins by some stunt like hit
ting a man after the bell all of which
Anglers the opponent but thrills the
crowd. The Washington Senators
with a youthful manager and an old
90, ~ oh 1aaS h.
lie fancy and the public goes to see
Red Grange instead of his u com-
panions on the field.
The same thing applies every
where. 1.-Two years ago when the
EasterIls and Augusta were fighting
for the pennant another team which
figured quite outside the running was
drawing the crowds as well as con-
test between the leaders. Old Town
had q club on whose roster were the
names of Loud. Kirschstein. Silva,
Woodward and Smith and the team
always had the fans guessing up to
the last minute just what was going
to happen. AS q result the team drew
a crowd everywhere 1t went, for those
who approved their tactics went to
cheer and those who didn't approve
went to raZZ-but they all went and
had a good time. The team played
all through the season and was in
. yolved once in a stern accusation re-
garding a violation of the salary limit
and to cap the season started the first
baseman in the box in the deciding
! game of the series while a pitcher of
big league caliber played on the first
sack. But they were. always receiV-
ed with attention everywhere they
played because they had color.
So it seems to be personality rather
than cold science that pfeases the
fans OF every sport. The team which
possesses both Is a rarity and the
boxer that has both is a prize winner.
Tiger Flowers possesses both of these
qualities and as result Is accumulat-
ing a fortune from his bouts. The
rule could be applied to every branch
of sport. What everyone wants to sac
is games or contests that are well
within the rules and at the same time
a little different from the preceding
one. Professional sports in this esc-
ton have lacked Just this for the
past few months and it is hoped that
the new year will bring a change OF
methods for the whole season.