Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-30
WATERv|LLE ELKS
TO RUN SERIES OF
BOXING BOUTS
(Specia1 to Kennebec Journal)

Waterville, Me-, Oct. 29.-The first
amateur boxing bouts ever held in Wa
lterville will be conducted under the
auspices of the Waterville Lodge of
EIks on December 9. The Ell1s realize
the benefits which such move will
bring to the citizens( both young and
old, of the vicinity. The fostering OF
amateur boxing by the Elks is one Of
the most forward steps in sporting cir
cles in this section ever made. Anna
teur boxing will be very well received
as there has been need for such
form of sport for long time. The
professional boxing matches held in
Waterville were not well received, but
amateur bouts will be conducted on an
entirely different basis.
Large gloves will be used and the
bouts will be limited to three rounds
each, thus eliminating all chance OF
brutality or harm to the physique of
any competitor. From the point ofe
spectators the bouts will be very much
the best form of boxing ever held In
WaterviIle. The elimination of all the
bad features of professional boxing
and the absolute surety that every
competitor is an amateur will make
the sport the cleanest possible. The
bouts will be OF sufficient length to
satisfy the spectators and yet give
the competitors a chance to prove their
ability.
The audiences at these amateur
bouts are greatly different from those
at professional matches in Maine.
Often the best people in towns So
ciety attend these bouts with their en-
tire families.
The Elks have secured Michael j.
Ryan, formerly one of the best ANA
teur boxes in the metropolitan dastrlct,
as manager of the bouts. Ryan is the
representative of the Amateur Athlet-
lie Union in this district and the con-
tests will be held strictly under the
rules of this association.
These bouts will be closely watched
by the American Olympic committee,
with which Ryan is connected. They
will be interested in the events in this
State as there is much fine material
here. The next Olympics may see men
who started their boxing careers in
the Kennebec Valley as representatives
of the United States. Everyone in
this section Is invited to enter into the
competition and the yare given an
excellent opportunity to develop their
powers in this line. The bouts are
open to anyone who can register as an
amateur with the Amateur Athletic
Union. Manager Ryan can register
anyone who desires to enter the bouts
and registration with the A. A. U. may
be made through him. The bouts at
Waterville may be only q start for
the competitors as there are the ma
tional championships and the Olympic
crowns to be earned by someone with
no more talent in that line than there
is in the State OF Maine. Waterville,
Augusta and Skowhcgan athletes have
signified their interest in the bouts
and these towns will contribute their
share of the competitors However,
the contests are not only open to the
local boys, but to anyone in the coun>
try who desires to compete.
The different classes have not yet
been announced but they will probably
include weights of 112, 116, 125, 1875,
! las pounds. This is not definite, but a
decision will be made on the matter
within n short time.
All those intending to compete who
desire more complete information may
obtain it by writing to Michael j.
Ryan, Colby College, Waterville.