The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-04-08
RING GOSSIP
BY BILL HIGGINS.
CAROLY QUALITIES
AS STRIKE-BREAKER

Twenty-Five years in the fight
game as bucket carrier, second,
trainer, manager, matchmaker and
promoter has taught AL Caroly
many lessons. During that time
Caroly, who now holds down the
job Of matchmaker for two fight
clubs, one in Bridgeport and the
other in Stamford, has been in
and out of many tight places. But
his most recent experience, that
which cast him in the role of
strike-breaker, is by far the most
interesting.
Caroly, who incidentally is the
only matchmaker in the state to
run on a regular schedule during
the present indoor season and who
has done fairly we'll in the matter
of making both ends meet. made
Connecticut ring history the other
the first organized strike attempt
ed by a group of fighters in this
state. The half-pint match
maker, reference to stature only
arranged a card of five bouts for
presentation in Bridgeport tonight.
AS is his usual custom, that of
featuring local fighters, Caroly had
signed up eight Bridgeport boxers
for places on the bill. In secur-
ing the services of the boxers Car
oily made it very plain to them that
no one was to receive a guaran-
tee. Every boxer on the card was
signed with the understanding that
he were to work on a percentage
basis.
With the signed contracts tucked
away Caroly proceeded to the
newspaper offices and announced
the complete card. This detail
attended to he then journeyed to
the printshop and arranged for his
posters, then bounced over the
road to his Walnut Beach home
with that contented feeling that
only matchmakers enjoy when they
have closed for set of bouts de-
signed to attract the paying Gus
toners in large numbers.
Early the next morning Caroly
and his staff of poster distributors
plastered Bridgeport from end to
end with posters advertising the
show. Still in a peaceful frame OF
mind he hoped over to the gym
in the afternoon to watch his hired
hands go through their prepare
July PaSCo. 4hCli thO Aod WI 0As
big Ed Kelley, Bridgeport
200 FOUNDER, who had agreed to
box in the simi-final, was at the
door waiting for Caroly. Kelley,
it seems, was to act as spokesman
for the eight Bridgeporters on the
card. Noticing that none of the
eight boxers on the card were
training and had no apparent in
tention of training, Caroly wanted
to know why they weren't train
ing. Kelley then took the floor
and delivered his ultimatum.
Which in effect was None of us
guys will lace on a glove Friday
night for percentages. We want
flats (guarantees) or we don't
fight"
Stretching himself to his full
five feet two inches Caroly tipped
his head away back Che had to to
look Kelley in the eye) and gave
voice to the following words, $50
you guys want flats. huh? Well.
I've been in the fight game for
more than rs years and this is the
first time any bunch of fighters
ever tried by organization to tell
me how to run my tights"
Ordinarily Caroly is not one TO
make lengthy speeches, but his
ire was reused and once started he
continued with a flow of words
that caused Keeley's cauliflowered
ears to wiggle. Il signed you guys
to fight on percentage basis and
if you think you can call q strike
and hold me up for flats after my
cards are printed. you're crazy.
And with that Caroly walked over
to where one of the fight posters
was hanging on the gym wall and
very dramatically tore it to pieces.
With a final verbal blast ringing
in the ears of Kelley and the other
striking fighters Caroly majestical-
ly strobe out of the gym.
Less than two hours later he was
on his way to the printers AGAIN
with a brand new fight card. FIVE
bouts calling for 80 rounds OF mill.
ing for the low admission price OF
rs cents and $50. The show was
put back to next Tuesday. And 4
might be added very few Of the
ten fighters on the card are Bridge
porters.
The complete card is: Baby
Bear, New Haven. vs. Irish Jimmy
Brien. Bridgeport, 5 rounds;
Danny Regan, New Haven, vs Al
Borosss Bridgeport rounds;
= 5. s, ST IA s (