WEIGHT STIPULATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 23

WEIGHT STIPULATIONS

A story that does not reflect much credit on those concerned is told; in the "San Francisco Chronicle":—"ln a bout between tlio' middleweight; champion of the world, Micky Walker, and Cowboy Willis in San Francisco, Walker won easily. .After the bout Tim M'Grath', veteran manager \of" Willis, told some of -tlio "inside story." M'Grath said Walker" would' no't'.inake the match at the niidtlle weight.. limit, but forced. Willis- tor agree, to. weigh in.. atlC2 pounds (two pounds, over ■ the limit) and post a forfeit of £1000 to guarantee he would not appear under i that, weight.. To make.sure of.getting' his forfeit money back, Willis went in at -163 pounds, .'putting on five pounds of. i fat to get up to that. mark.. As a result he was in no condition to take Walker's body punches, according to M!Grath, and that fight was more onesided than it : normally ' might have been. In eases.like this the public buys tickets to see a real contest. Perhaps the Califoniian - Boxing Commissioners can explain tlio difference between tricking >tho public with something that can't possibly be;a real contest on the merits .of the men engaged and the ordinary,-vulgar fake in which one fighter agrees to take one on tlio jaw and dive for a ten-second count. The California ■ State boxing law. provides penalties for any: promoter or participant in 'a fake or sham contest.' Can anyone argue that a bout in which one of the contestants must put up a forfeit to guarantee that he will go into the ring out of condition isn't a sham? But these arrangements are common in other States. Wouldn't it be rather funny if Tommy Loughran, who is expected to box Walker in Chicago, made Mickey put up a-forfeit to guarantee that he would fatten himself up" to 177 pounds for the official .weighing in,, thus making the light-heavy title safe: for Tommy?" This all goes to show that it is time stricter adherence was insisted on the recognised ■tveightlimits. If a man is two pounds, over the . lightweight' limit he •is a welterweight, not a lightweight, and; should be,made to fight in. his proper ■> class. The creating - of: fancy, .classes, and. special weights Has led to abuses mentioned above. ; .!.'.