Evening star., 1936-12-20

YSHERED in by a meager crowd
of less than 500 on New Year
day. local boxing hit the jack
~ pot five months later when
% 900 spectators. the largest throng
ever to witness a scrap here, turned
out at Grifflth Stadium to see Petey
Sarron wrest the world featherweight
championship from Freddy Miller in
the most significant bout ever staged
in Washington.
A review of the year in local boxing
finds the sport graphed in roller coaster
fashion in SO far as public appeal Is
concerned. Local mitten manipula-
tors flashed sporadic bursts of brill
lance and then faded to such a point
that Club fight" cards were installed
in an effort to unveil future possible
drawing cards.
Marty Gallagher. long sentimental
favorite with District ringworms. de-
serted his horses long enough to create
a few headlines by trimming Bob Tow
and King Levinsky, but Buck Everett
then came along to smear Marty's
brief winning streak, capturing IL OF
Is rounds in retaining his District
heavyweight title.
Furr Slowed by Ross.
DILL FURR, District welterweight
champion, showed promise of cut
ting wide swath in l47-pound ranks,
defeating such punchers as Cary
Wright, Mickey Serrian. Steve Halaiko
and Harry Dublinsky. Barney Ross,
world welterweight champion, then in
vaded this sector, and although Phil
stayed 10 rounds with his polished foe.
the fight apparently took great deal
out Of him. He hasn't been able to do
much since, although his recent win
over Wildcat OConnor in New York
may presage better things for the
tattoed Taper.
Howard Scott, local lightweight
champion, also attracted some ma
tional recognition by trouncing Lew
Massey, Davey Fine, Norment Quarles,
Bucky Taylor, Stumpy Jacobs. frankie
Klick. Bat Battalino and Joe Rivers.
He was ranked third among the world
135-pounders at one time, but then
lost to Chino Alvarez In Florida and
Joe Rivers here. He recently defeated
Rivers in Baltimore. however. and still
is rated among the best 10 lightweights
in the world.
Sarron- Miller Bout Corker.
THE Sarron-Miller bout. staged by
the Metropolitan Police Boys Club.
probably was the finest thing that ever
happened to local boxing Sarron's
upset victory over the sleek. trim Miller
in a hectic 15-round brawl offered
definite proof that Washington fans
will support top notch fighting. Miller
was paid a $4,000 guarantee, the
largest ever dished out here. and the
argument drew record gate of s32, 1000.
Among the most promising new
corners to this baliwick was Russell
Buddy Scott, a smooth light-heavy-
weight who has captured large fol-
lowing here. winning 20 of 81 engage
ments. a draw with Hobo Williams
marking the only time he failed to
triumph. Lou Gevinson. long favor
ite here in amateur ranks. recently
turned professional and also shows
promise.
The most detrimental factor to
Washington's fistic business was
frankie Blairs charge that he was
offered 81 900 to throw" a six-round
preliminary contest to Cary Wright.
After a lengthy investigation by the
District Boxing Commission. the case
was dropped when Blair failed to name
any of the alleged suspects in his
bribery charge.
Maj. Ernest w. Brown, superintend-
ent Of police. was named chairman of
the District Boxing Commission upon
the resignation of Fred Buchholtz,
while Claude Owen was appointed to
fill the vacancy and served capably
with Kenneth Parkinson.