CALIFORNIA'S ERROR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 241, 14 November 1914, Page 2

CALIFORNIA'S ERROR.

RESTRICTIONS ON BOXING.

Apparently, boxing in tlio United States has received a blow, for it is reported, by cable, that the electors of California have decided, by a small niajority, to prohibit "prize-fighting" in that State. The cabled news, however, is so brief that it is rather ambiguous. Until further details are received, it should not bo assumed that all professional boxing is being forbidden in California. The ambiguity of the cablegram arises, in part, from the iise therein of the word '' prize-lighting.'' People who know little or nothing of boxing are apt to term boxing in general, and boxing for a purse in particular, ' 1 prize-fighting.'' But prize-fighting is really fighting to a finish —that is, until one of the contestants is so beaten that he is unable to continue the fight—for a prize. The term is really applicable only to the pugilism of many years ago, when men fought in the ring with bare hands, or with very light gloves. Under the modern government of the sport there is no prize-fighting —there has not been any for many years. It may bo taken for granted that the people of California have not decided to prohibit a form of sport which does not exist in their State. It is mors probable that the decision is to prohibit boxing contests in which a referee's decision is given, and therefore that from now on boxing in California will consist only of "no-decision" affairs. CALIFORNIA WILL SUFFER.

If that is so,, California will suffer from I the -action of a number of people who | have no knowledge of the subject upon ! which they have voted. The fallacy of [the idea—a purely American one —that |" no-decision' -contests improve "boxing has been revealed, long ago. Under -this system, the winner of the; bout is decided by the popular verdict—that is, according to the opinion of, a number of people who may or ; may not-know something of the scientific side of boxing. As in literature the masses prefer highly-coloured romances, and in drama they lean to What has come ■to be known as melodrama; - So " in boxing the majority of the onlookers prefer the ger''—to the scientific boxer. ~ This is particularly noticeiablS in Ainerica, thei nation with a mania for ' 1 speeding-up;." There, the man who takes the fanpy of the "fight fans"'is lie who will force the fighting all the time, who Will r fmi& it up" with his adversary. Nine tones out of 10, it is he who recelvos the popular verdict in a "no-decision." a scientific boxer and a a ring in any town in a State which prohibits refere6's deciSfens.' The first man might box mttch more neatly and effectively than his adversary, but in mostcases the "slugger" will be the hero of.the masses if the fighting a.nd is on his feet at; tlifi end of« tno not the clever boxer, becomes th^;Hdraw-

ing card," the man sought after by promoters. The exceptions to the rule are very few in number. Consequently, the boxer, as distinguished from the fighter, is discouraged. Where only "no-decision" contests are permitted, the percentage of the gatereceipts to be drawn by each contestant is fixed, before the bout, without any reference to the ultimate winner. The man with the bigger reputation as a "slugger" gets the bigger portion of 'he receipts, even if he happens to be outpointed or knocked-out, by his adversaiy. So the man who relies on his skill as a boxer is poorer all the time, in both reputation and money. INFLUENCE SPREADS.

By pandering to the popular taste, the "no-decision" system exercises an evil influence upon both the boxers and the people who attend boxing contests. Its effect is the reverse of educational. But its influence often extends beyond its own territorial boundaries. Referees in other States in which they are allowed to give decisions notice that the "fans".in the "no-decision" area nearly always declare in favour of the "slugger," and such of them as are not thoroughly competent and independent are seized with the idea that the predilections Of the fans of their own State should be considered. So we find that boxing is all too frequently subordinated to fighting in the American States which permit referees' decisions.

Here is a case in point. A-few weeks ago tttere met, in Los Angeles, California, two well-known light-weights.' One of them, '' Johnnie'' Dundee, is noted for having some little skill. The other "Willie" Beecher, is merely an ironjawed "slugger." The contest is thus reported' Jaw to jaw, battling like a pair of little bulldogs, ' Johnnie' Dundee and 'Willie' Beecher finished a 20-round go last night, and in the end Referee Eyton hoisted his two palms in the light fog, indicating a draw decision. There were many in the assembled populace who fain would have quibbled over the official's awards but to all inquiring friends Eyton answered: ' Dundee ran around the ring 108 times before I lost count.' For 15 rounds Dundee humiliated Beecher i with every punch known to the boxinggame and successfully experimented with, a few-;. n ?wly discovered blows, * Willie' acting as receiver-general,.for all things that came in his direction.' But*being a stojutrheartedrfpuhgijgentleman, Beecher ma<3e of the last four rounds a regulate twO : man .fight. this eleventhstand made a deep impression on the referee."- • *

■ Of xtourse, those people who* are' antipathetic to boxing;. will declare that if -the sport is spoilt in California, go much the belter. .But the best answer to those who seek to-abolish-this splendid sport" is to be found the events of - the past few months. /By far the greater majority'of the men >who; have volunteered for the defence of ;th«f Empirer arer they are men who play the very gartie against which the voice of the Vkill-joy '/ ia/diVeotea ; .most . often. And English papers show : that there have been more casualties amongst boxers and footballers, in proportion to their- ratio, than among any other sections of the 1 British forces in Europe. This indicates that' tEey foremost in battle.:'i^Hh^ : who have been most vilified" by those who understand ,not sport have v been tho readiest to lay down their lives for their ppunWho can say, then, that the life3f a ttaiionvis not -its bokfersana footballers ? ' j ' - A.L.C.