BOXING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6962, 30 October 1909, Page 14

BOXING

THE BIG BOXERS. LANGFORD AX'D KETGHEL FOR AUSTRALIA. THE JEFFRIES - JOHNSON HATCH. Tlie following is from the London ''.Sporting Life" of September 3rd:-—■ "Air Hugh D. Mcintosh is in London. A eonplo of years nc;o that sentence >would not have carried a deal of significance, but since that timo Mr Mcintosh has blossomed out as one of the wcrld's great contest arrangers—if the term may bo used—and wherever he may bo tho eyes of tho boxing world ere upon him. Ho is assuredly a- great ■traveller, this compactly-built Australian, with cleai-j(jut features and shrewd, yet kindly manner. Continents aro nothing to him. Australia, America, Europe—each occupies his attention in turn.

"A keen observer and a gatherer of •tho latest news, Mr Mcintosh was, as usual, tremendously busy when a 'Sporting Life' representative called in pon him yesterday morning with a view to obtaining tho very latest, but Fo soon as he was made aware that 'Sporting I/ife' readers were eager tor mews he at once consented to talk. By tho way, Mr Mcintosh's office is a miniature museum. Flying, as ho does, from place to place, Mr Mcintosh is a keen collector of objects interesting, curious, and valuable. There «ro boomerangs here, beautifully-made glass ajid shell ornaments quaint inkstands, and innumerable other trifles which the average man has no chance of annexing. "Need it bo said that tho conversation turned to Jeffries and Johnson straightaway. Mr Mcintosh has chased people ere this: he is now chasing Jim Jeffries, ex-boilermakcr, ox-champion boxer of the. world, and present theatrical star. "Said Mr Mcintosh: 'I missed Jeffries. I passed him on tho way. He -was off to Carlsbad to take tho waters and his manager was unable to fix up anything definite because Jeffries repudiated by cable his authority to act.'

'"Am"I going to Carlsbad? Well, 5-cs; I am. I am going to see Jeff., and I hope, to get something definite; ■before leaving for Australia on Octolier Ist. By tlio way, I am taking Bob JUtzsimmons and his wife back with me. Bob is matched to meet Bill Lang and Squires. "'Oh, yes," continued Mr Mcintosh; 'Bob has "still got his punch. The Cornishman is in training at his farm, a few miles outside New Jersey City. Ho has a very fine place there, with well over twenty acres of land. It is just like an English estate—an altogether delightfnl snot. Bob is founding a jrhysical culture school at his home, and should do well. His matches with Squires and Lang will bo . twenty rounds apiece, and tho first will b-j at tlio Stadium. Sydney, on Boxing Day. " 'I have also negotiations pending with Langford to box Tommy Burns in Australia—always providing that Langford wins against Ketchel. " 'What do I think about Ketchel? " 'Ketchel is the best "fighter" in the world, but—and this little word is very important—he will not train except in a perfunctory sort of way. Bevond all doubt. he is the best middleweight, the world has ever seen—bar Bob" Fitswimmons. He is a dramatic boxer. He punches from any* angle. I saw his contest with O'Brien—it was a. great bout-' "Mr Mcintosh's eyes sparkeled when Tip voiced it that Burns versus Lan<:fortl. and the winner against Ivotchel, ■would make itleal contests. _ "'ls Ketchel still a middle-weight. "This drew the reply that 'Ketchel stands about sft !)in..: is about twentvfmir years of age. and a superblv proportioned man. Ho looks liko a Dane, with his fair hair and blue cye H He U fearless to a degree:, there is no retreat with him. Ho is- all attack,

his feet doing tho "shift" all tho time. .Jim Corbett says that Ivetchel wouio have a chance, against any man in tuo v. orld. He is fo game; he has novo had crioueh, and when lie is driven lack he returns with both hands moving with lightning rapi-lity, and, as 1 hinted before, his opponent never knows whore tlie punches arc coming from. . - • 1 think Langford something of a one-handed boxer; but Langford has a beautiful right, and this brightens his chance against Kctche), because Ivctchcl keeps his hands so low.' " Thorou'dilv warmed up discussing that sport iio 'loved, -Mr Mcintosh was tho next moment chatting about English boxers. "'You have the best light-weights in tho world,' said he. 'Driscoll, Moran, and Welsh are right in tho front rank. As for Johnny Summers, Tommy Jiurns considers him one of tho best. I saw .Summers box Britt; tho English boy is a.s strong as a blacksmith. Yes, your light men aro splendid; it is a sad tiung you can't get decent heavyweights. Personally, 1 think your methods are wrong over hero. I don't care how good a man may be, it is wrong to match him right out, of his class before ho has found himself. Take Corbett, i'itzsiniinons, Jeffries. "While in tho embryo stage they were not matched against the world's champion otherwise they would never have reached the pinnacle they attained. A boxer must gain experience. He must start at the bottom and work steadily upward. Vou don't expect tho young doctor to be as skilful as the physician who has reached a high placo in his profession, and boxing is a profession as much as other walks in life. It calls, for confidence, courage, and other qualities which can only come with extended experience. The boxer who wishes to get to tho top must cultivate all these things.' "Then.Mr Mcintosh got back to the Jeffries-Johnson affair. ■

"'Johnson is willing and ready; he has been nil along. Ho has never changed. Oh, yes, I think he is looking after himself all right; you see, ho cannot afford to loso his title. And Jeffries is going to meet him; but * ; Jeff " wants to postpone the day as long as possible, it is not a question of physical fear with him, for Jeffries is absolutely fearless. What ho does fear is Joss of prestige, and so, he will not be seen in tho ring until He is absolutely sure he is really fib. And it will bo a bitter contest. Tliat between Burns and Johnson was bitter enough, and this will bo more so. There is the

" colour " prejudice, and—and—Johnson's talk.

" Jeffries is down to between lost and lGsfc now. When fit ho will ho the biggest-trained man that ever entered a ring. By trained I mean .with all his weight it will bo all good stuff. The nearer you got to him the bigger ho looks. With his strong face, his enormous limbs, and magnificent chest, ho is a wonderful man. Ho is. a queer chap. Tbcro is no polish about him, ibut if ho takes a liking to anybody ho is a rare good chap, and as straight as a die. His theatrical tour, was a huge success. Ho made 40,000 dollars during a twenty-weeks' engagement, and is a tremendous favourito with his countrymen.. Americans will not hear of him being defeated."

PRIZE FIGHTING IN VICTORIA NEW LEGISLATION. Not a little stir has been caused in Melbourne boxing circles by tho proposed new legislation affecting "prize rights," details of which havo just been made public. It takes the form of an amendment to tho Local Government Act, and provides that no boxing contest shall be hold without a permit granted by tho local .municipal ■ council. Before a council grants a. pesrmit, two copies of tho rules under which it is proposed that tho contest is to be conducted must bo deposited with the municipal clork, and any permit may be withdrawn by the council or cancelled by tho Chief Secretary. All boxing contests, tho measure says, must bo conducted in accordance ■with the rules as adopted by the council, and copies of every permit and the rules under which it was granted must bo posted up in a conspicuous position at tho main entrance of the building, or other place, in which the match is hold. Tho police aro empowered to enter premises on which it is believed a boxing contest is being held, and where thoro is a breach of the new law all persons found to be present may be arrested without warrant if they refuse to givo their full names and addresses.

Clause 4 fixes the penalty as follows :

Every person who promotes, holds, or is engaged in any boxing contest in respect of which any of tho provisions of this Act aro not complied with shall be guilty v of an offence, and on'conviction thereof shall ho liable to a penalty not exceeding one hundred pounds, and every person (other than a member of tho police force) who is present at such boxing contest shall bo guilty of an offence, and shall on conviction be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds.

It is explained that a "boxing contest means any boxing match, boxing competition, or boxing exhibition for admission to which a charge is made, or at which a collection is taken up. or at which those present are invited or permitted to throw money into the ring, or otherwise deposit it in the building or elsewhere. Municipal district includes the city of Melbourne and town of Geelong."