New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-11
Boxing IN DAzE
WITHOUT LEADER
Market Price for High Grade
Contest Likely to Slump

New York, Jan. II R-Bereft of
its leader, a puzzled boxing industry
looked at the world today and found
nothing there to cheer about. 1t
faces the future with gloomy fore
boding. Tex Richard was its motive
power, well as its pilot. Without
him the market price for high grade
boxing contests threatens to decline
perhaps to the low levels Of ten
years ago.
Since Richards death boxing has
been in terrific turmoil and there
is no indication that it will be ready
to settle into a definite groove for
some time to come.
Announcements have come thick
and fast from the games leading
opponents but none has clarified the
situation to any appreciable extent.
If anything, 1t has become more
muddled than ever
At the start of the year the
heavyweight program for 1929 was
rather clearly defined: The Strib-
ling Sharkey bout at Miami Beach
Feb. 81; battle between two other
leading contenders. probably Tom
Heeney and Pauline Czcudun: a
clash between the winners Of these
two matches: and a final battle for
the title between the ultimate sur
vivor and Jack Dempsey.
But all that has been changed.
There are Indications that the
Stribling- Sharkey bout will not be
held, at least on its scheduled date.
and that Dempsey will reconsider
his decision to return to the ring.
As for the Stribling- Shrakey bout.
william F. Carey. first vice presi-
dent and treasurer Of the Madison
Square Garden Corporation, and
other officials announced that they
we're investigating as to whether
contracts for that match had been
signed. If legal contracts have been
entered into on behalf Of the cor
poration, the Garden will 60
through with the match as schedul-
ed. If no contracts exist. Garden
officials are not so sure what they
will do.
Although nothing Official was said
about, there were indications that
Richards successors considered ex-
orbitant reported guarantees Of
100000 to Sharkey and $4,000 to
Stribling. II it is found that no
contracts exist, it appears certain
If the Garden d:Sides to stage the
bout anyway it will be on terms
rather less liberal to the two prin-
cipals
In this connection it might be
pointed out that the Garden cannot
afford to lose any money on the
first big match it promotes without
the benefit Of Richards vision. The
loss Of prestige might conceivably
have serious effect on the cor
poration's standing. Consequently
Carey and his associates are in
clined to walk with cautious steps
for the time being, at least.
Dempsey declines to say definitely
whether he will return to the ring
Il am going back to Miami Beach
directly to pick up those negotia-
tons with the people with whom
Tex was interested and with whom
he desired me to become interested,
and after / have become thoroughly
familiar with the details of the pro
posed business arrangements / will
come to decision" the former
champion declared.
SHOULD the Madison Square Gar
den people decide to stage the
Misunderstanding boxing match and
I can be of any assistance to them
he added, tit will be a pleasure for
me to render that assistance so that
Mrs. Richard and her baby may
benefit from such arrangements"
At the same time 1t became
rather plain that Dempsey will not
become head Of the boxing end Of
the Gardens business.
Dempsey said he had not been
offered that post nor any other by
the Garden and that besides. no had
too many other business interests
to serve as an executive Of the
Even more pertinent to the
subject perhaps was his remark:
Il don't kid myself that I could
fill Texs shoes even II they gave me
the job"
The boxing world in general is
inclined to believe no one else wilt
find that an easy task. either.