MODERN BOXING

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 10

MODERN BOXING

LONDON, February 8. The Eatl of Lonsdale, in an article in; the “Weekly Dispatch," writes “The. ruination of boxing is caused by. the enormous sums paid, to .boxers, which, are out.of all proportion, to their, science and merits.. The chief in-erect of promoters of" boxing is not the sport or the" evolution of a high standard' of skill, but. merely the acquisition of as much money as possible for 'themselves. “That is one reason why we have these hugging, holding, slogging farces, instead of .scientific exhibitions. “Men now attracted *to boxing, with few exceptions, are of low mentality; men tb whbm scientific-skill is unknown.“1 have little sympathy fpr professionalism in sport. When professionalism becomes .paramount in any sport,it. becomes subservient to money' considerations, mid the ruination of that sport sooner air' .later is certain. ■ - \ - "I do not blame footballers and cricketers for becoming professionals, but regret that the popularity of these games means the loss of many exponents of boxing, which is the most magnificent of all games. ■ Professional footballers and cricketers are a class from which clever and scientific fighters should, and would, come. “Boxing offers colossal rewards to only a few, whereas cricket and football hold out a sure living for many. Therefore, great numbers of lino men are divorted from boxing." The Earl of lon -dale suggests the limiting of tho winner’s share of the purse to .£2COO. He vigorously condemns tho practice of the referee getting into the ring. It shows the poor control of boxers. He declarer; that Peter Jackson was the host, boxer he ever saw, and Jack McAtiliffe was nexfe.