BOXING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1151, 9 May 1912, Page 13

BOXING.

JEALOUSY AMONG FIGHTERS.

SOME INCIDENTS RECALLED.

There is supposed to be a vast amount of jealousy extant among members of the theatrical profession, but if you want to listen lo some fine, guaranteed,- gil't-edged knocking take a stroll among the fighters and lend an ear to the opinions of each man regarding the other performers who happen to belong in the same class with himself. You may hear a few k nd words spoken by a heavyweight regarding one of the smaller pugilists, anything from the lightweight class down, but when it conies to the bigger fellows his remarks are usually lurid in the extreme. He won’t even venture on too much praise of a likely middleweight, for you see, there :’s danger that the said middleweight may grow into a rival some day. It’s the same with the other classes; a. lightweight may express admiration for a crack bantam, but he holds back from wasting words of commendation on a feather who may possibly hop up a notch in the weight scale. The bantam possesses a longer admiration range than any of the others because there :s small chance of his getting to be anything bigger than a feather.

One would suppose that when veterans of the square circle retire from active service they might afford to drop all grudges existing between them and old-time foes, but such is not generally the case. For many years those two famous American heavyweights, Jim Corbett and Joe Choynski, did not speak as they passed by, and it was not until they came together as assistants in the Jeffries’ training camp, when the exchampion was preparing for his beating at the hands of Johnson, that they buried the hatchet. It was also at Rend that a reconciliation was effected between John L. Sullivan and Jeffries, the old-time champion having once been snubbed by the Californian after a fashion that Sullivan never forgot.

About a year ago it chanced that Sullivan and Fitzsimmons arrived in Chicago at the same time, each having a vaudeville show in tow. Jack Johnson was also present in the Windy City, and Joe Choynski was running a physical culture school on the south side. Sullivan had Jake Kilrain with him in the role of partner. It occurred to a resourceful press agent that a fine group, consisting of Johnson, Cnoynski, Fitzsimmons, Sullivan, and Kilrain could be posed before the camera. It would have been quite an interesting picture, and the various sporting editors expressed their willingness to print it. But fierce and totally unexpected kicks were registered by most of the parties interested. F’tzsimmons smiled bitterly: — “Wot me stand up alongside that nigger after the way ’e fouled me w’en Hi boxed ’im?” he queried. “Hi should sye not. Count me hout h’on thet gyme, old chap.” Sullivan uttered a hoarse growl when the proposition was broached to him. “Me help out that freckled freak by - giving his show a boost,’’ said the ex-champion of champions. “Not on your life.” Johnson was equally emphatic: — “Say, man, yo’ all mus’ think mah haid ain’t screwed on straight,” snorted the dusky star. ''Jack Johnson couldn’t get a pleasant look from one of dem white trash fossils when he was in hawd luck. An’ now they wants me to hop along an’ do a brudder act wif dem. A’hm shorely su’prised at their ne’ve. A’h a real champion an’ can’t afford to mix up wif has-beens.”

And so the great press scheme fell to the ground. Choynski was the only one of the bunch, with the possible exception of Kilrain, who appeared to be unprovided with a grouch against some member of the proposed combination. In passing it might be observed that Jim Corbett’s hatred of Johnson has lost none of its virulence, and it is generally believed that the one cankerous sorrow in “Pompadour Jim’s” otherwise ha’ppy life is fostered by his inability to dig up someone who can whip the coloured wonder.

During last week an attempt was made to arrange a match between Jack Johnson and Sam Langford, a cable being despatched to the world’s champion in Chicago offering him £6OOO to meet the Bostonian in Australia within .six. months. In reply, Johnson stated that he will certainly retire in September next, and that he does not want to make the trip to Sydney after his fight with “Fireman” Jim Flynn. However, as Langford sails for America shortly to fulfil his engagement with Tommy Burns there will be no loophole of escape for Jack Johnson, should another large purse be placed on offer with a view* to matching the pair to fight in the States.

Mr Harcourt Beatty, the well-known actor, is now in such wonderful form that he is beginning to wonder why he should not have embraced the profession of pugilism years and years ago (says Melbourne “Punch”). He trains hard every day, just like a hard-working boxer of the Sam M‘Vea or Langford type. His fight in “The House of Temper’ey,” which production is at present neing staged in Melbourne, satisfied even the most ravenous of fight fans. Indeed, it was rumoured that Mr Hugh MTntosh intended to appiy for an injunction against the play, because it was calculated to injure his business at the Sydney Stadium through the false

impression of brutality which it created. The court has not been moved in the matter yet, and probably the play will be moved first.

Last week the members of the Napier Amateur Boxing Club, together with members of the Hotel Employees’ Association, assembled at the Caledonian Hotel, Napier, for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr 1-1. E. Barnsley, who has relinquished the secretaryship of the Club owing to the fact that he is leaving Napier to take up his residence at Fiji. Mr B. J. Dolan, on behalf of the joint bodies, in presenting Mr Barnsley with a purse of sovereigns, commented on the valuable services he had rendered the Club in the capacity of secretary. Mr Barnsley had, he said, been practically the founder of the Napier Amateur Boxing Club, which had proved a great success, and had been a most capable, energetic, and honest secretary, giving a true and faithful account of his stewardship. Mr K. R. O’Halloran. chairman of the Napier Amateur Boxing Club, also spoke in eulogistic terms regarding the good work carried out by Mr Barnsley, and expressed deep regret that the Club was losing a member who had taken such a prominent part in boxing matters in the North Island. Mr C. Liddle, on behalf of the Hotel Employees’ Association, endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers, expressing the regret of the members that Mr Barnsley was leaving New

Zealand, and wished him every success in his future career. Mr Barnsley thanked those present for their generous gift and kindly references to himself, adding that he regretted very much having to leave Napier, .where he had made many friends.

Great interest Is being taken throughout America and England in the forthcoming battle between Packy McFarland and Mat. Wells, for which the former Is a 5 to 4 on favour te. McFarland, whose sterling contests with the English lightweight, Freddie Welsh, at the National Sporting Club, London, brought him into great prominence in the fistic world, is one of the craftiest and most skilful exponents of box : ng in America. It is contended by the best authorities that were McFarland to fight for the world’s lightweight championship he would have little difficulty in ousting the present king of the lightweights, Ad. Wolgast, from his pedestal. McFarland has, however, been debarred from meeting Wolgast owing to his inability to make the weight limit, which in the lightweight div’sion in America is 1331 b. He has vainly attempted on many occasions to tin the beam at this weight, but the best he has been able to do is to get within a few pounds of the 9st. 71b. In his forthcoming battle with Mat. Wells he wTI enter the ring at 13 81b. As

regards the division of stake money, Wells receives 5 0 per cent, of the gate receipts and the picture privileges, but he must pay McFarland £2OO 0. This gives an admirable idea of the remunerative nature of boxing at the present time in the United States, for, with exponents outside of the heavyweight class commanding such high appearance money, the game must be in a flourishing condition.

Percy Richardson, lightweight, and Harry Jones, bantamweight, two boxers hailing from the Old Country, are at present in Auckland, and both claim a number of creditable performances in England. Jones has the distinction of having defeated S. Smith, the present “fly-weight” champion of England, and there is a probability of Aucklanders seeing the Englishman in action at an early date, for he has applied to the Northern Boxing Association for matches, as has also Richardson.

The latest cable news received in Australia from Pittsburg (U.S.A.) regarding Johnson’s condition since his recent motor accident, states that the famous coloured pugilist is a very sick man. He is scarcely able to raise his right arm, and his right shoulder, spine, and the muscles of his side and back have all been painfully wrenched. Johnson is bemoaning his fate. All his theatrical engagements have had to be postpon-

ed ; but more than anything he is dreading the putting off of his match with Flynn. Some people are saying that the whole business is . “put up,” and that the black champion is not sick at all. Johnson’s remark when this was- mentioned to him was, “I’d like them to have my back. The pain’s the worst ever.” He says he will try hard to get fit for the fight, but if it has to go by the board it will have to go, and that’s all about it. I’m not going to fight if I’m a sick man,” he adds.

During the present season the Northern Boxing Association intend holding a series of carnivals in the Town Hall and Mr F. H. Burbush, the newly-appointed secretary, is at present busy making arrangements for the opening tournament. This will be held in the Town Hall on the King’s Birthday (June 3), and the officials of the N.B.A. have decided to make the opening of the season in Auckland an event of considerable importance. The best talent in the amateur ranks will be available for the tournament, while negotiations are being made with a view to obtaining the services of leading professional boxers. The carnival promises to be a most attractive one, and the fact of it being held in the Town Hall will in itself mark an epoch in the sport of boxing in the northern city.

“The King of Clubs,” Mr Tom Burrows, called at this office on Monday, having arrived in Auckland after a complete tour of New Zealand, going as far South as Invercargill. Some idea of the strenuous club-swinging campaign he has carried out in this country is gained when it is mentioned that for twenty-five consecutive weeks he has accomplished a club-swinging feat each week of from 2 1 hours to 82 hours, either fancy club-swinging or an endurance test. Burrows is high in his praise of the treatment he has received in New Zealand, and he has been the recipient of a number of valuable presentations from prominent sporting bodies. Wlrls'' at Napier the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association presented him with a beautifully engraved medal, which he now numbers amongst his proudest possessions gained in all parts of the world. During his vis ts to Taihape, Eltham, Nelson, Westport, and Oamaru he received presentations in recognition of his marvellous club-swinging powers, and he looks upon his seven months’ tour of New Zealand as one of the most enjoyable campaigns he has undertaken.

Tom Burrows will, at the King George Theatre, Durham Street, on Tuesday next, commence a remarkable endurance test, when he will endeavour to create a new world’s record by swinging clubs continuously for 100 hours. A strong committee of representative citizens will be formed to supervise this world’s endurance test, and see that everything is carried out in the fairest manner. In order to establish the record Burrows will not at any time during the 100 hours swing less than 8 0 complete circles per minute. Special interest is attached to this world-renowned athlete’s club-swing-ing feat in Auckland next week, as it will constitute his last long endurance test, for he intends in the future to limit his performances to fancy club-swinging and short tests. A continuous picture entertainment will be given each day in conjunction with Burrows’ attempt on the record, starting at 12 o’clock and running till 11 o’clock at night. Burrows will stand on a specially-erected platform to the side of the screen, without in am- way obscuring the view of those within the theatre. The appearance of the “King of Clubs” at the King George Theatre next week, combined with the fact that a programme of spec 5 al merit is to be presented, should attract large numbers to this popular palace of amusement.

Mr T. Sampson, of Wellington (writes our Wanganui, correspondent) hag agreed to act as referee in the lightweight match to be decided here on the evening of May 24 (the night of the second day’s races), between Len Porter and Allan Maxwell. This pair will box for a £5O purse, and the contest should be a very fine one.