Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-07


ttctans, oanmsn, bootleO0ers and victous
forces generally In the control OF puoil-
ism and the men in the ring.
4" HERE always have beer
scandals and evils connect
i ed with pugilism-and M
wonder. It was born among
criminals, and the early practi'
TONERS were rough and uncoutt
gents. One of the first American
champions was a long time jail
bird who ultimately had his neck
stretched by the California vigi-
lantes for a very untidy murder.
Boxing, as Benny Leonard once
wrote, is a dirty game, but in those
earlier days it was dirty in frank and
open way. 1t made nc claim to re-
spectability; 1t was recreation for the
low-minded and the depraved. Matches,
more often than not, were fought on
the square, and q boxers honesty was
q personal matter with him. He could
be on the up-and-rp If he wished.
But the corruption today runs down
smother alley; it cannot be laid pri-
marily to the mere cussedness and
errancy of the fighting men themselves.
Boxers no longer control boxing: they
are mere pawns In a game Of money
bags and carpetbags.
The carpetbaggers are the gunner
and the gangsters. As Northern high
binders, after the Civil War, moved In
on the Confederacy, the muscle men
have moved in on the resin-and with
like results.
Overdressed gentlemen. who a few
years ago didn't know right cross
from hayfork, now dictate winners
and losers and walk away with the
prodigious purses that legalized game
has produced. Loft robbers have be-
come managers and lobbygows seconds
What do these men know or care
about boxing? Nothing, but they know
where the money lies. The gunner
syndicates have, by pistols and political
pressure, come to be SupercommisSion
that, in the shadows and behind their
front men, dominate the sport.
BootIeggers and Boxing.
PROHIBITION was ushered In jan
uary 16, 1920. The Walker law
established the existing form Of
iegalized boxing in New York State at
the same time. The character of the
fight game changed with the race of
affiuent robbers created by the bootleg
ging industry"
Uncle Sam, too. was unwittingly at
fault. The United States Government,
during war days. found boxing sound
and important factor In improving the
morale of troops. Boxing tournaments
were encouraged and famous fighters
were commissioned in camps as in
structors. The armistice, after 10
months, turned ouk several millions of
roaring and champing fight fans.
1t Is hard TO fix the year when liquor
hi-jackers definitely edged their way
intd pugilism, but that they were OPP
Grating full force by 1925 Is indicated
by published accounts Of the match
between Charles Phil Rosenberg and
Eddie Shea, at which we win look in
q moment.
For real organization and real power
In boxing, however, it was necessary
to wait for the fun development Of the
Bill Duffy-Owney Madden combination,
which operates in New York City.
There is firm that has grown most
ambitiously. It was doing q big bust
ness even before the Camera flascos
brought It's activities to light. This
series VIII deal with Duffy and Madden
later.
Purses Greatly Increased.
WHY did the racketeers come over?
w A glance at the purses Of recent
years viii answer that
Tunney and Dempsey in Chicago
tendance Of 145,000 people. Tunney
and Dempsey in Philadelphia drew q
gate Of 81, $50 900 and the attendance
was 10000. The receipts Of the
Dempsey Carpenter fight were 81, 626,-
$50. the Dempsey-Firpo fight, $1,118,-
e22, and the Dempsey-Sharkey affair.
31,os3,52e. Tunney and Heeney drew
a mere 100000. but the promoters
Of the expenses, for Tunney had been
guaranteed $525 900 for the event.
The Wills-Firpo party drew 100000
as did Schmeling- Sharkey. Dempsey
Willard drew S425 900 and Schmeling-
Pauline $4,000. Delaney and Berlen-
bach, four years ago. pulled in $450,000
and Sharkey-Stribling at Miami was a
little behind with a mere 100000.
These bouts, Of course, were heavy
weight exhibits, but the boys in the
lighter classes too, have made for
tunes. The two Benny Leonard-Lew
Tender bouts drew $452 900 and $751;
900. respectively. Mickey Walker has
been great money maker, drawing
$4,000 as his share Of the Ace Hud-
kins match alone. Sammy Mandell
instance. $4,000 for beating Jimmy
McLarnin.
Second -Raters Draw Big.
EvEN second-rate fighters in action
IL once every week or so receive from
$1,000 to 81 500 to fight an eight
round semi-final. And topnotchers
make the incomes of the greatest Of
ball players look sick and anenic.
Some Of the most important scraps
this year and the receipts have been
Aka nIt =
sharEey, $4,000; sinser-McLarnin,
$3.50, 900: Singer Mandell, 100000:
Camera Godfrey, $3.50, 200; Chocolate
Berg $l52,377, and Stribling-Von Po-
rat, $50 900.
Is there any question, after a glimpse
at those figures, why the racketeers
have come IN? Boxing Is a gold-plated
dustry.
Now we will glance at the Shea
Rosenberg championship match to an
alyze the carpetbaggers in action. PM
Rosenberg was a clever little fighter
and one night at small club he wa
sighted by Harry Champ" Segal,
former pugilist Segal fancied Rosen'
berg and became his manager
Rosenberg's record, so far as could bt
learned, was clean then. One night
according to the story the wise mer
tell. Segal walked into Broadway cafe
seated at table there he saw Mad
den and another man, commonly known
as "Frenchy." They invited Segal over
"A sweet fighter, your boy Rosen
berg" said one.
Segal, biting his nails, agreed.
Were coming in for rs per cent o
him" either Madden or "Frenchy" 4
said To have remarked. Segal knew hi
fight racket and he let them come In
That is the process so common nova
days. which is technically known a
s'YaugclinR"