BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 23

BOXING

BY "AENEAS"

AN OFF YEAR

ACTIVITIES OF 1929

NO OUTSTANDING PERFORMER

Boxing experienced au off year iv 1929. With no outstanding pugilistic performer whose presence in tho ring would assure a packed stadium, with the death of Tex Riekard, whose promotional genius had mado possible the mammoth spectacles of tbo past, the record for the year was decidedly ordinary, as is the general run of boxers, and only moderately successful, writes James P. Dawson. in the "New York Times."

Riekard, the man who raisfid boxing to the status of big business, died on 6th January at Miami Beach, following an operation for appendicitis on New Year's Day. And with his passing there passed also, at least for the immediate future, the day of the million-, dollar gate.

Three of the standard divisions were without leaders, and the championship claims in a fourth were disputed. Of the four recognised title-holders, only Tommy Loughran showed any inclination to risk his crown. Prior to the time he relinquished voluntarily his light-heavyweight title to . invade the heavyweight ranks, when he was knocked out by Jack Sharkey, Loughran was the only champion worthy of the name. He defended his title against Mickey Walker and James J. Braddock.

Sammy Mandell still clings to the lightweight title, and his policy of defending it only once a ' year. He risked the crown successfully against Tony Canzonori in Chicago on 2nd August. Similarly, Mickey Walker, leader of tbe middleweight class, had his title at stake once this year, defeating Ace Hudkins on 29th October in Los Angeles.

Joe Dundee, who by hia inactivity, held his welterweight crown until interest in the class lagged, was dethroned on 25th July, when he lost on a foul to Jackie Fields in Deiroit. Andre Eoutis, world's featherweight champion; risked a title combat on 23rd September at Hartford, and lost his crown to Christopher (Bat) Battalino, a Hartford boy theretofore unknown.

A resume shows that five champions defended their titles. Two were dethroned, and one retired from his class.

The heavyweight class has no leader, nor has the light-heavyweight division. In the ilyweight division Frankie Genaro is recognised by the National Boxing Association as champion, and treated with indifference by tlio New York State Athletic Commission. Conversely, the New-York States Athletic Commission recognises Al Brown as "defending champion" in the bantamweight division, whatever that means, and the National Boxing Association regards the title as vacant.

The Muldoon-Tunney heavyweight championship trophy was unveiled during the year at the height of the campaign to develop a suitable champion, but the contenders are-still struggling more or less aimlessly. Jack Sharkey stands forth as the man best qualified to hold the trophy, but he is hard pressed in the estimation of the public by Max Schmeling. Victorio Cainpolo ranks next to Schmeling as a foreign invader. Whatever consideration Phil Scott was entitled to evaporated with his showing against Otto yon Porat.

The State Athletic Commission has designated a bout between Jimmy Slattery and Lou Scozza, practically an unknown, as a light-heavyweight championship match.

Benny Bass acquired the 130-pound title (junior lightweight) by his knockout of Tod Morgan, but this is an unstandardised championship class, which may be ignored entirely in the future.

In the circumstances, it was the lot of near-champions during the year to steal the thunder of the titleholders. Al Singer and Kid Chocolate illustrated this point. Their battle at the Polo Grounds attracted a gate of 178,650 dollars, a tremendous sum for two lads boasting no title distinction. And other bouts in which they engaged likewise attracted large gates.

A match between Schmeling and Paulino drew 378.902 dollars, and the clash between Sharkey and. Loughran attracted 254,501 dollars for the two largest gates in New York. The disappointing battle of February in Miami between .Sharkey and Stribling, a venture which was temporarily interrupted by the death of Riekard, and witnessed the introduction of Pempsey' as a promoter, drew close to 400,000 dollars. Among other developments of the year were the legalising of fifteenround bouts in Michigan; the opening of huge arenas in Chicago and St. Louis, and inception of plans to throw the Auditorium in Atlantic City open to boxing. The promoting coalition between Denipsey and Humbert Fugazy was dissolved before it functioned actively, to be followed by Dempsey's promotional venture in Chicago. Hay's Limitations. The Hawkes Bay writers are making excuses for the annihilation of Artie Hay at the hands of Ted Morgan. One writer states: "For Hay it was regrettable that in his first appearance in his home town in years he was made to appear so impotent. The greater part of 100 per cent, of Hay's failure may be attributed to his inability to successfully contend with a southpaw stance. The exhibition was far below the Capabilities of the duel title-holder, and that this is recognised is proved by the fact that the Manawatu Association after his bout with Morgan matched Hay with M'Donald for the middleweight title, a chance Artie is expected to turn to good account in the silencing of criticism." The fact is that Hay has never shown up to advantage against a puncher. Pitted against a boxer like Purdy, he will shape like a champion, but once he is stung he seems to crumple. This was borne out previously when he fought Harry Casey in Wellington and claimed a foul for a fair punch. Hawkes Bay's Next. Commenting on the Hay-Morgan contest,'the "Napier Daily Telegraph" sates: "Hay is still champion, but if they meet again, all the money available will not bo for Hay, although Artie is confident that next time he can turn the tables. Morgan is anxious to give him a chance, and Secretary Joe Strickland is doing his best to bring them together again, but Hay cannot "name the day." He is still building on a trip to Australia, and naturally is not taking any further risks. In the meantime the energetic secretary of the Hastings body is hoping to strike while the iron is hot and is trying to bring Morgan and Grime together. Morgan i 3 again willing, but the trouble with Grime is the purse. He places a high • value on his services. National Sporting Club. With the ringing out of the Old Year has ended a long and a memorable chapter in the history of the National Sporting Club, as well as in the history of professional boxing. But for the National Sporting Club (writes A. J. Daniels in "Sporting Life"), through its honoured president, Lord Lonsdale, boxing might never havo reached its present status in this country; it might, still bo under tho stigma of prize-fighting, and hounded down as such by the law. It was' Lord T/nusdale who, at his own expense,

fought the law when he and other members of the club were charged with promoting a prize fight, and he gained a verdict which established the fact one© and for all that boxing with gloves is a legal sport. It is true to say, therefore, that the National Sporting Club and Lord Lonsdale "made" boxing not only for England but for all the world. If only for that alone the names of tho famous club and its great champion will remain cherished memories for all time in the annals of the sport. I'or nearly 40 years the club has had as home a building overlooking Covent Garden even more historic than itself—a building which saw many changes in London life and customs during its centuries-old existence, before Mr. John Fleming, tho founder of tho old Pclteau Club, realised its possibilities as a first-class club in which boxing could be held for members only. He had with him the late Mr. A. F. ("Peggy") Bettiuson, father of tho present manager of the club, and tho two made boxing history within the first year by staging the contest between tho great Peter Jackson and hia Australian heavyweight rival, Paddy Slavin, on 30th May, 1892. Frank Slavin died only a few months ago; Peter Jackson fell a victim to consumption several years back,- John Fleming, founder of the club, was discovered dead on the premises one morning after a club night; "Peggy". Bettinson, who held masterful sway for more than 30 years; Mr. E. Zerega, for so long the official timekeeper—those and a host of other notables have, all passed. The. old club, indeed, is peopled with the ghosts of bygone celebrities; but it seemed good to call them up in fancy from the shades, as I did yesetrday when visiting once again the portrait galleries in the long passage to the back of the stage, in the writing room off the vestibule, and in tho luncheon room. Hatton Wants Contests. Matt Hatton, who is engaged in farming at Awhitu, has been training, and this with the open air life, has put him in wonderful condition. Hatton would like to have a return contest with Donovan and would not say no to a fight with Sarron. But he wouldlike a contest before meeting the American. Australian Gates. Boxing in Australia is drawing very poor houses, only £60 being paid at the gates recently to see a championship affair and 50 for another important fight. Postponement. The bout between Jack Jones and Glen Leslie at Hawera has been postponed until 21st February. English Champions. The list of British champions, as compiled, at 30th December, is as follows: — Fly—Jackie Brown. Bantam —Teddy Baldock. Feather—Johnny Cuthbert. Light—Fred Webster. Welter —Jack Hood. Middle —Len Harvey. Light-heavy—Harry Crossley. Heavy—Phil Scott. Big Day for Taranaki. The postponed contest between Pete Sarron and Tommy Donovan is now set down for the afternon of Saturday, Ist March. It looks as if this match will draw the biggest attendance ever seen at a boxing contest in New Zealand, and the Taranaki Association should make a nice profit, although the expenses will be high, as over £400 is being given in. the purse alone. This is not according to the rules of the New Zealand Boxing Association, and it is difficult to see how Taranaki will get over the rule that was so heartily endorsed at the last conference in Greymouth. - '