Evening star., 1931-12-27

~HICAGO, December 26 (P).
1 Boxing should be live
~ ly industry in America
during 1882.
Several important matches are
pending, including defense of the
world heavyweight championship
by Max Schmeling While the era
of the million-dollar gates has
passed, at least until the return
of business prosperity, the sport
has prospects of one of its greatest
years, both from a competitive
and box-offlce standpoint.
The year OF 1852 looks favorable be-
cause champions in every division will
be forced into action against the logi-
cal contendeTs. AS result there will
be more interesting bouts.
Max Schmeling has proved himself
a real champion and a popular on2.
Nevertheless, he must defend his title,
like every other champion, through the
policy OF the National Boxing Associa-
ton. in demanding that champions
fight.
Public Favorable TO Boxing.
Boxing is in a highly favorable con-
dition in public opinion. There have
been no scandals, no legislation against
it. In fact. during the past year five
additional States lcgallzed the sport.
There is an increasing movement 10
stage longer bouts, that is to pass leg
islation to permit 15-round bouts in
stead of 10. Three States decided to in
crease the number of rounds within
the last year In Illinois We hope TO
do the same thing, so we can be on a
more even competitive basis with New
York in championship affairs. The law
in New York provides for l5-round
bouts.
The outstanding achievement of the
National Boxing Association in 1881
was the formation of an International
committee with full power TO approve
or diSapprove all world championships
and international contests. This COM
mittee consists of one member from the
National Boxing Association, one from
the Canadian Association Of Boxing
Commissions, one from the 1nterna-
tional Boxing Union and one from the
British Boxing Board Of Control.
AS a result of closer cooperation
with our neighbors in Canada and
across the sea, international boxing
rules are becoming standardized.
AS regards Jack Dempsey. hope the
old "Manassa mauler" will be able to
come back, because he is an idol with
the American public. The exhibitions
in which the former champion is now
engaging may round him into condi-
ton. However, his fitness for a cham
pionship fight must be decided at the
time the question comes up.
The National Boxing Association has
been materially strengthened during
1881 with the affiliation of the States
of Tennessee and Indiana. There has
been no loss in the original member
ship and the association continues to be
a dominant factor in controlling box
ing in America.
The association. in 1881, had the
most successful year in the history Of
the organization. The rols show 29
States OF the United States, Montreal
Quebec, in Canada Mexico, Cuba
ard Porto Rico as members in good
standing. This organization is also a
member of the International Boxing
Union and affiliated by a working
agreement with the British Boxing
Board of Control of England the COM
bined strength of the three organiza-
tionS making for the greatest regulating
and controlling body of athletic sports
in the world
Only Rosenbloom Idles.
The report of the Championship
Committee of the National Boxing AS
sociation showed that world champions
in all the various classes had defended
their titles during the year S1930-3l
with the exception Of Make Rosen-
bloom in the light-heavyWeigh divi-
sion. RoSenbloom, having failed to de-
fend his title within the six-month Pc
riod fixed by the rules of the associa-
ton, had his title vacated, and the Ma
tional Boxing Association proceeded to
hold an open tournament to select the
light heavyweight champion of the
world. The tournament is now III
progress in Chicago. Forty-six entries
were received from the leading fifty
contenders in this class
Another tournament to decide the
world niddleWeight chamnionshin L. In