Evening star., 1938-07-20
.DUPRE WIN BOON
FORROUNDS'P PLAN
Crowd Kept in Dark Until
Finish B0os Decision
Over ScaIzo.
BY BURTON HAWKINS.


With dubious decisions gnawing
large chunks Of interest out of the
local fistic industry, befuddling spec
tators and fighters alike, the light
system which will be inaugurated in
experimental stage next week, reveal
ing which fighter is leading, seems q
certainty to click.
The Stars original idea to bring
the boxing game closer to the crowd,
showing by contrasting lights which
fighter is ahead over the entire route
at the end Of each round, may be
the medium of remedying a situation
which now has reached serious pro-
portions in the unbelieving optics Of
spectators.
The system will be tested at an
opportune time, a moment when fans
are disguised at the sudden shock
of what they feel are unjust decisions.
The most recent rumbling is predi-
Gated on a somewhat crude split
decision last night at Griffith Stadium,
which Tony Dupre received over Pete
Scalzo.
Rain Hampers ScaIzo.
While the decision perhaps was a
bit fuzzy, there is supporting ev-
dence the screen of rain which
blanketed the fighters hampered Seal
zo's effectiveness and led to booed
verdict. Pete, counter-puncher,
whose style is based on fnesse science
and ring generalship, was robbed Of
his weapons by the rain that swamped
the ring
Whether Pete was robbed further
is matter of more than mild con-
cern to those who take their scrap
ping seriously, but at least the
officials were unanimous in revealing
Dupre is a superior mudder. The
heavy downpour rapidly removed the
bout from the realm of true boxing
skill and that chiefly was the in
strument which paved the way to the
rudely received decision.
| A return match doubtless would
solve the situation, but an attempt
to bring Pete and Tony together here
again never may materialize. Pete
Reilly. ScalDo's pilot, declared, in a
moment Of blazing indignation, he
never would import another fighter
to this sector, while Promoter Joe
Turner, whose money is at stake. is
harboring doubts about the drawing
power of the bout.
Sends Dupre Up Ladder.
Further. Dupre has little to gain
by rematch. Unless he Is ordered
by the District Boxing Commission
to meet Scalzo again it would be
rather insane for him to accept =
return engagement, for Tony now
is in an enviable spot.
BY his unimpressiye victory Dupre
automatically climbs several notches
into Scalzos sixth ranking spot among
the featherweight elite. He still is
in the elimination tourney to de-
termine a possible successor to Henry
Armstrong and figures to collect q
sizable slice of coin through a coll
lision with Joey Archibald
In view of the fact the swat body
itself wasn't enthused over the de-
cision, it may order a rematch, how
ever, and that seems the only sane
solution. Too much is at stake to
allow contest that bordered on a
swimming race to injure Scalzo's
status or serve as springboard to
better things for Dupre.
1t probably was the most freakish
evening in the annals of local boxing.
Midway in the scrap, rain denuded
ringside seats. with only handlers,
fighters and officials refusing TO rush
into the grandstand.
Scalzo Gets Early Lead.
Scalzo compiled a seemingly pro-
hibitive early lead, but Dupre rallied
in the rain and with the aid of
Referee Charley Reynolds and Judge
Bob Mulhall. free-stroked his way to
the surprising Climax Reynolds saw
Dupre ahead. 1910: Munhall voted
him in front by 1912. while Judge
Frank Schuyler cast the lone ballot for
Scalzo. 1914.
With his usual complete disregard
for what is written in the local ring
code, Manager Matt Twomey had his
protege, Steve Mamakos. fight the last
three rounds of the semi-final engage
ment with Cal Cagney, New Jersey
welterweight, under protest.
Twomey protested vehemently when
Manager AL WE'LL outsmarted him at
the end of the fifth round by removing
Cagney's shoes and socks to increase
the joy Of wading. Cagney's more
firm footing failed to halt Steve, how
ever, and Mamakos captured the de-
cision in the eight-rounder, which
followed the main event. in a steady
downpour. There is nothing in local
rules which prohibits fighting bare
footed and Twomey's protest was the
only thing out there that wouldn't
hold water even had Mamakos lost.
Chester Ruby outponted Jerry Hall
in six-rounder staged as the finale.
while four-rounders saw Tommy
Hoover trim Sam Bacala and Billy
. Banks and Bobby Brown argue to a
|