The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-30

been just as thoroughly condemn ed by local writers.
 The biggest loser is Herman. He has been cheated out of a worlds championship and the emolu- ments that go with it. He prob ably will never get Kaplan into ring for another title fight. It may be his last good opportunity to capture title.
 Professional boxing at it's best and safeguarded in every possible manner has none too good a rep- utation and the Waterbury inci- dent simply gives it another black eye. The average. person does not go behind the returns. Tn this case he knows that Herman was rob- bed and boxing in general is 8 target for his animadversions.
 Legalized boxing is facing trial in Connecticut as a result of scan- dal developed by the outrageous decision that deprived Babe Her man, New York boxer, of the featherwe;sht championship of the world at Waterbury last Tues day night.
 Almost without exception train ed observers of boxing agreed that Herman, the challenger, won by a wide margin from Louis (Kid) Kaplan, the champion, who is a Connecticut boy.
 Jack Sheehan, a Boston referee, called the fight draw at the end of fifteen rounds. Even the Con- necticut press and nine out of every ten persons who saw the fight admitted that the champion fought badly and lost.
 Prominent politicians from all over the State severely criticized the verdict and intimated there would be some sort of an official investigation. The writer, circu- lating among the local citizenry and visitors for hours after the battle, did not find one person who thought Kaplan won and only a few who though he deserved a draw.
 The Referee Angle
 David Fitzgerald, of New Hav- en, one of the best referees in Connecticut, resigned his com mission the night of the fight. He had expected to handle the title bout but the job was given to an outside man.
 Fitzgerald afterward made the statement that if he had been the third man in the ring he would have given the decision to Her. man.
 Waterbury and other Connecti- cut cities which contributed heav- fly to the gate receipts of nearly $60000 are still buzzing with ar- guments over the fight. It is gen. erally admitted that Herman was robbed of the title and the fortune that goes with 1t by the word of 8 referee imported from another State.
 This action by Boxing Commits sioner Donohue, czar of the glove game in Connecticut, is what parti- cularly rankles in the breasts of sporting fans of the Nutmeg State.
 Donohue defends his action by stating that he brought in an out side referee because Connecticut boy was defending a title.
 "If a decision had been render ed in favor of either man." says Donohue, land had been severely criticized, I did not want it said that Connecticut referee either protected Kaplan or unduly favor CT Herman. I figured the best way was to bring in neutral referee, who would not be swayed by any sentiment. It seemed the fairest wey. For taking this precaution to insure correct decision I am now being censured."
 While the Evening Journal has no proof that there was any crookedness or collision by officials in arriving at verdict that dis pleased vast majority of the spectators at Waterbury, it will point out the possibilities of crook ed manipulation by dishonest managers and officials in influ- encing important decisions.
 There has been plenty of this crooked work in New York. This is the first time Connecticut has been under fire. because it is the first time title fight has bec.; staged in that State since the sports has been legalized.
 Some Connecticut History
 Nearly twenty-five years ago Young Corbett knocked out Terry McGovern at Hartford. That ended boxing in Connecticut for long time, although the sport was only tolerated and not legal ized then. The riffraff attracted to Hartford by this fight packed the streets on Thanksgiving af- tfrnoon as the churches emptied their congregations. The jails were full of pickpockets and the bet ting was done openly on the streets. Hartford rebelled and boxing took the count.
 Legalized and supervised by commissioners, professional box ing has made agreat strides, yet there still remains much of the old larceny in it. It is more sup pressed now, however.
 In New York intelligent sup ervision has min.mized the major evils, yet only eternal vigilance suppresses the underworld forc- es that would soon end boxing if allowed to tamper with 1t openly.
 Probably the Waterbury fiasco was just Q series of mistakes. due to inexperlence in handling title fights. The promoter was in no way to blame. Yet the fact that Q decision was stolen under the noses of l6.O00 spectators proves that there are stlll many oppor- tunities ct hand for cheaters.
 naa 8AkkaP