The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-30
7hisSpOYting World
 By JOHN 4. CLUNEY
Connecticut Boxing Almost 'Koyoed' By K0pIon-Hermon 'Drow' Decision
JOHN A. CLUNEY


 New York boxing writers, one in particular, really went to work" on boxing as conducted in Connecticut in 1925, just 20 years ago this month, following the outrageous" draw de- cision given by Referee Jack Shee- han of Boston in the Kaplan-H Her. man worlds title bout at Brassco Park. Sid Mercer, New York Eve- ming Journal boxin. expert at that time, who died in June of this year after long illness, wrote a series of two articles with such captions as: Connecticut Faces Trial Over Outrageous Decision" and "Why was Babe Herman Robbed of Title?'' and Official Investigation Should Be Made at Once. A day or two later MT. Mercer, one of the great est. fairest and best-liked sports writers in New York for many years, came out again with another article featuring headings which read as follows: Outside Man Picked Three Hours Before Fight? and (for the second time) why Was Babe Her. man Robbed Of Title?" and, last, but not least: Commissioner Don- ahue) Made Goat For Sheehan's Decision"
 Here are some of his authentic observations, from the New York Journal of August, 1925.
 "The selection of referee for the Kaplan- Herman championship fight at Waterbury last week was a matter to which Boxing Com- missioner Thomas Donahue gave long and serious consideration.
 Donohue is known as the "one- man commission" He is the whole works" in Connecticut and handled many of the details of promotion for the title mill. It was partly due to his influence with the New York Boxin,;, Commission that Promoter George F. Mulligan was able to pluck this fistic plum the first championship fight held in Connecticut in nearly twenty five years.
 Both Donohue and Mulligan were anxious to do things in metropolitan style. The promoter handled his end exsellently and the commissioner made many helpful suggestions.
 Kaplan and Herman had boxed several times in Connecticut and the decisions If Connecticut ref erees in their bouts had been sub- ject to much criticism. It occurred to Commissioner Donohue that a title decision by a Connecticut referee against the champion, 8 Connecticut boy, or in his favor might provoke unfavorahle com ment. He then conceived the idea Of bringing in an outside man.
 Referee Resigns
 Dave Fitzgerald, of New Haven, had been referee but for sev- eral years had not been in favor with the Connecticut boxing au- thorities. He had taken out a l- cense under Donohue and 1t was generally understood that he was to officiate for Kaplan and Her. man.
 Donohue did not eliminate Fitz- gerald until the day of the fight. Fitzgerald, who resigned the next day, was not apprised of this de- cision until the evening of the battle.
 Meanwhile Donohue laid his lines for an outside referee. He knew Jack Sheehan, of Boston, had applied for ringside seats. Late in the afternoon James A. Farley, chairman of the New York commission arrived and was Don- ohue's grest at the ringside. Donohue inquired of Farley as to whether any New York referee would be present in case his serv- ices might be needed. Farley told him that Tommy Sheridan was a visitor and Sheridan was notified to be ready to work.
 At 7:30 in the evening Donohue gave Sheehan the assignment. The fact that Herman's home is in New York accounted for the preference of a Boston referee over one from New York. Sheehan fig ured to be strictly neutral. Don- ohue wanted no one to say in case Herman won that a New York referee made the decision. :.
 What followed is ring history. Donohue, in what appeared to be well meant ef-ort to insure a fair and correct decision render ed verdict that was unsatisfac- tory to nine out of every ten per- sons who saw the fight.
 Donohue The "Goat''
 The fact that a title was at stake and so much attention had been directed to Connecticut box ing because of the importance of the bout, stirred up an unsavory mess. Donohue is the "goat" and Mulligan. in measure suffers with him.
 There have been no facts un- covered to indicate that any bet- ting coups were engineered or that any undue influence. official or unofficial, was brought to bear on anybody connected with the fight to retain the championship for Kaplan. '
 The decision was criticized by practically every fight expert, in- dicating those from the news