BOXING

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1937, Page 5

BOXING

PUNCH-DRUNK PUGS. THEIR RIGHT TO ASSISTANCE. SYDNEY, August 14. A writer in the “Labour Daily” says; Arising from the recent application unsuccessfully made by heavyweight puglist Jim Flett before the Workers’ Compensation Commission to recover compensation for -“punch drunkenness,” boxing organisations will attempt to have amending legislation carried to meet the cases of punch-drunk boxers In the street of Forgotten Men, no figures are more pathetic than those of the gloved gladiators of yesterday, who, under the white light of arc lamps in the hempen square, with their peerless skill won showers of applause, but now are battered, broken and unhonoured. “Punch-drunkenness” is a condition that is now recognised by leading medical men all over the Englishspeaking world, the leading authority being Dr. Harrison S. Martland, of Newark, New Jersey.

Dr. Martland says that in the United States, fighters who are exhibiting the early symptoms are said by the fans to be "cuckoo,” “goofy," “cutting paper dolls,” or “slug nutty.” "The early symptoms of punchdrunk usually appear in the extremities. There may be an occasiontl and very slight flopping of one foot or leg in walking, noticeable only at intervals, or a slight unsteadiness in gait or uncertainty in equlibrium. These may not seriously interfere with fighting. In fact, many who have only these early symptoms fight extremely well, and the slight staggering may be noticed only as they walk to their corners. THE SYMPTOMS. However, a different tale is told When the punch-drunkenness develops. "In severe cases,” Dr. Martland declares: “ There is a peculiar tilting of the head, a marked dragging of one or both legs, a staggering, propulsive gait, swaying of the body, tremors, vertigo, and deafness. Finally, marked deterioration may set in necessitating commitment, to an asylum.” An evasive fighter, Jerry Sullivan, former bantam champion of Australia, dodged many heavy wallops, but-despite the fact that his ring career has not affected him seriously, and thinking of other boxers fess fortunate, he thinks that some provision should be made by the legislature and boxing authorities to provide adequate medical examination for boxers so as to prevent a boxer who Is exhibiting the early symptoms of punch-drunkenness from being per mitted to fight, and so, make his condition worse. Most boxers who suffer from the complaint received it through a long series of gory fights and in a claim under the Workers’ Compensation Act it is extremely difficult to prove a case against the employers who are legally liable. Recently I saw a former lightweight star unable to walk down the stairs from ■ a barrister’s chambers. , This ex-featherpusher grasped the arm of his companion in order to get down the stairs. This was necessary because he was “punchdrunk” and his mind and muscles will not co-ordinate. If a motor car stops in the street near another boxer, he will impulsively grab the nearest bystander. He, too, is punch-drunk.

BUSINESS FAILURES. Gene Tunney is notable exception, but many fighters have made thousands of pounds in the ring and frittered their money away in futile fashion in business. I wonder, in some cases, whether injury to the brain may not be the root cause of business failure. Jim Flett is used by Sydner doctors before classes of medical students as the typical example of a “punch-drunk” boxer. An extensive study of “punchdrunkenness” has been made by Mr Stanley C. Taylor, barrister, of Phillip Street, City, who is considered certain to win the Martin seat for Labour at the apvoaching Federal election. Mr Taylor, who is a sportsman as well as a student, was for years an amateur boxer of considerable prowess. file appreciates a glove fight almost as much as a political or a legal fight. When Fritz Holland was trainink for his first fight with the late Les ’Darcy, he asked Mr Taylor to act as one of his sparring partners, and the request was granted. i. .Subsequently Fritz Holland and the Maitland champion because firm friends, and ’Darcy often trained at Holland’s gym. in the old B.M.A. building in Elizabeth Street. Mr Taylor accepted ’Darcy’s invitation to spai’ with him while he was training for a return with Holland, and this time the famous youngblacksmith turned the tables -■ Fritz.