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Boxers’ Demands Not Justified Regarding Wright
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No Rules Which Make Exact Poundage Necessary
By Left Hook.
SHYLOCK'S demand for a
pound of flesh to be carved
K/ . from Antonio's cardiac region
| was but slightly more reprehensi
ble than the weight exactions of
some modern boxers. Kid Shylock
& was apparently actuated by a de
sire to bring about the rapid dis
solution of Young Antonio, and.
while the boxing Shylocks of the
present merely restrict opponents
to a specified weight at a certain
hour, yet the frequent result is
the pugilistic undoing of the vic
tims of the unfair stipulations.
It is an established fact that Jo*
Gans' death was due to loss of vi
tality resultant from excessive re
duction of flesh at the dictation of
Battling Nelson, and the health of
many other boxers has been ruined
by taking off so much flesh in prep
aration for a bout that nature has
rebelled.
The remarkable feature of this
s pernicious practice Is that the box
.ers who habitually seek to weaken
; opponents by weight restrictions
. have no basis of right either by
rule or precedent for their out
rageous demands. There is not in
either the Queensberry or London
rules a syllable prescribing the
weights at which boxers shall meet
for championships in the various
L . classes. Therefore, boxers have no
i alternative except to be guided by
precedent, which gives a black eye
to ringside weighing.
Weights and Classes.
In order to place the subject be
fore the public in an intelligent
manner. I have prepared a list of
championship battles in the vari
ous classes, with the weights of
I contestants and the time of weigh
ing.
From a perusal of the bantam
class figures it will be seen that the
limit was advanced on a sliding
Beale for the benefit of Dixon's
growing avoirdupois up to the time
he vaulted into the featherweight
i; division.
No Restrictions by Barry.
E Jimmy Barry, who succeeded
Dixon as bantam king, was a 105-
pound boy. and. like t’oulon. never
f weighed more than 112 in condition
for battle. But, unlike t'oulon,
| Barry never placed any unjust
weight, restriction on opponents,
as l» evidenced by his bout with
Sammy Kelly, who had a limit of
Up 115 at 6 p. in.
With the advent of McGovern.
Barry, who was getting along in
years, decided discreetly to retire.
Terrible Terry fought no ehain
pionship bouts below 116, and in
. only one (that w ith Balmerf did
the American champion weigh at
F,- the ringside. Rut the bout was
E . not contested at ringside w eight,
catch weights prevailing.
Both McGovern and Palntet
weighed leek than 116 pounds ring
side the day set fo|’ the bout, but
as the arena was unroofed and a
heavy rain fell all day the bout
was postponed till the following
day, when McGovern won in the
first round. Neither man weighed
on the day of the battle, and both
undoubtedly scaled far above 116
pounds. Vet this bout was for the.
bantam championship of the world,
and no one ever disputed McGov
ern’s right to that title
After McGovern graduated into
the featherweight class and
Frankie Neil claimed and defended
| the bantam title he set the Amer-
E" lean limit for the class at 116
: pounds, but not ringside. Neil's
contest with Joe Bowker for the
Jones,” a thrilling
of The Great White Way,
on George M Cohan's play
v~now running in New York, will
; begin in Friday’s Georgian. It is
well worth reading.
HOW TITLES CHANGED HANDS
BANTAM CLASS.
W glit. Time.
George Dlxon-Nune Wallace. London, June 27, 1890 113 2p. m.
Dixon-Johnny Murphy, Providence, October 23, 1890 114 3 p.m.
Jimmy Barry-Caspar Leon. Lamont. 111.. September 15. 1894 112 Ring.
Barry-Sammy Kelly, New York, January 30, 1897 115 6p. m.
Terry McGovern-Pedlar Palmer. Tuckahoe. September 12, 1899 116 Ring.
Frankie Nell-Joe Bowker, London. October 17, 1904 116 2p. ni.
Jimmy Walsh-Dlgger Stanley. London, .May 24, 1909 116 2p. m.
Coulon-Burns. New Orleans. 1912 116 Ring.
Coulon-Wflliams, New York. October 18, 1912 116 Ring.
FEATHERWEIGHT CLASS.
George Dixon-CaJ McCarthy, Troy, March 31, 1891 115 Ring.
Dixon-Willis, San Francisco, Joly 28, 1891 115 Ring.
Dixon-Fred Johnson. Coney Island. June 117 Bp. m.
Dixon-Skelly, New Orleans, September 6, 1892 117 Ring.
Dixon-Erne, New York, November 27, 1896 122 3p. m.
Dixon-Solly Smith, San Francisco. October 4, 1897 120 Ring
I>lxon-I>ave Sullivan. New York, November 11, 1898 122 3 p. m.
Dixon-McGovern. New York, June 23. 1900 118 Ring.
McGovern-Corbett, Hartford. November 28, 1901 126 10 a.m.
Attell-Kilbane, Los Angeles, February 22, 1912 122 Ring.
LIGHTWEIGHT CLASS.
McAuliffe-Myer. New Orleans. September 8, 1892 137 3p. in.
McAullffe-Carroll, San Francisco, March 21, 1890 134 3p. m.
MeAuliffe-Gtbbons, Hoboken, September 11, 1891 . 135 3p. m.
Lavigne-Burge. London. 1896 138 3p. ni.
Lavigne-Erne. Buffalo, July 3, 1899 135 3p. m.
Erne-Gans, Fort Erie. May 12, 1902 136 7p. m.
Nelson-Gans, Colma, September 9, 1908 133 Ring.
Wolgast-Neleon. San Francisco, February 22. 1910 133 Ring
WELTERWEIGHT CLASS.
Tommy Ryan-Billy Smith, Minneapolis, July 26, 1894 142 Ring.
Matthews-Smith. New York, 1898 142 Ring.
Matthews-Connolly. New York, June 5. 1900 142 Ring.
Conpolly-Ferns. Buffalo, August 13, 1900 145 3p. m.
Walcott-Ferns. Buffalo, 1901 145 3p. rn.
Dixie Kid-Walcott. San Francisco, April 29, 1904 145 3p. m.
MIDT>LEW EIGHT C LASS.
Dempsey-Fitzsimmons, New Orleans, January 14, 1891 154 Ring
Fitzsimmons-Hall. New Orleans, March 8. 1893 lax ap. m.
Fitzsiinmons-Creedon, New Orleans. September 26, 1894 160 3p. nt.
Ketchell-Papke. San Francisco, November 26. 1908 158 p. m.
Tommy Ryan, all title bouts ». 158 Rtv.g.
Frank Klaus, all challengers 158 3 i. m.
Eddie McGoorty, best weight 158 3 p.m.
world’s championship was at 116
pounds at 2 p. m„ the same being
the weight conditions when Jimmy
Walsh boxed Digger Stanley, the
present bantam champion of Eng
land. in 1909.
Therefore, it is proved that three
international bouts for the world's
bantam title were not a ringside
weight and a majority of the bouts
for the American title have been
contested with the weighing time
hours in advance of the gong for
the first round.
Coulon's Unjust Demands.
When Coulon first laid claim to
the championship he demanded that
challengers make 105 ringside. He.
however, gradually Increased the
scale till now he meets challengers
at 116 pounds ringside. According
to precedent. Coulon has no right
to demand ringside weight. With
the advent of George Dixon in the
featherweight division, his crafty
manager, Tom O’Rourke, insisted
on a weight of 115 ringside, and
it was at that poundage the negro
defeated Cal McCarthy for the title.
Later on Dixon met both Johnson
and Skelly at 117 pounds. 3 p. in.,
and then jumped to 122 for Frank
Erne.
O'Rourke slid the scale down to
120 ringside for Solly Smith, who
defeated Dixon, but let Dave Sul
livan in at 122. 3 p. m.
Hut when McGovern loomed on
the Queensherry horizon O’Rourke,
believing tin; Brooklyn terror
would be weak at 118 ringside,
named that weight, which was ac
cepted by Sam Harris for McGov
erjj Terry proved he could make
the weight and fight with his ac
customed fury, and little Chocolate
was vanquished in eight rounds at
the old Bioadway A. C., New York.
No one has ever had the hardi
hood to declare that McGovern did
not w in the featherweight title sim
ply bet ause the weight was not 122
ringside.
McGovern defended the title at
all sorts of weights, but never be
low 122, and final!) lost to Young
t'orbett in the historic battle at
Hartford at 126 pounds, 10 a. m„
for a bout that started at 3 p, m
It will be seen that If McGovern
<ould not lOS< his title except at
122 pounds ringside, then he did
not lose It to Corbett at 126 pounds,
and he did not win it from Dixon
at US pounds.
If the claim thai a title mi not
THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS.THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7.
change hands except as a stipulated
ringside weight holds good, then a
majority of the championship bouts
were in vain, and the titles claimed
by some of the greatest boxers in
the history of the sport are void.
It is quite true that a uniform
scale of weights should be adopted
by all countries that encourage
boxing, but this scale should not
be retroactive.
Kilbane, the present title holder,
demands ringside weight from chal
lengers. but is not justified by the
facts.
In no class is the fallacy of ring
side weight more clearly shown
than in the lightweight division.
The title In that class has changed
hands twice at Isß ringside—Gans
to Nelson and Nelson to Wolgast.
In all the other titular bouts the
weight has been greater than 133
pounds and not at ringside.
In the bout between George La
vigne. the Saginaw Kid. holder of
the American title by virtue of
claim and defense after the volun
tary retirement of the champion.
McAuliffe, and Dick Burge, the
British champion, the American
won by knockout in seventeen
rounds in a bout at 128 pounds
at 8 p. m.
This bout was for the lightweight
championship of the world and this
title had descended from Lavigne
to Erne, to Gans, to Nelson, to
Wolgast. Yet the battle in which
this world's championship was
brought to America was not at 133
pounds ringside. Nor have a ma
jority of the bouts in America for
the title been fought at 133 pounds
ringside.
Lavigne Lost at 135 Pounds.
As will be seen by the record,
Lavigne lost to Erne at 135 pounds.
3 p. ni.. and Erne lost to Gans at
136 pounds, 7 p. m. All of Mc-
Auliffe’s bouts in defense of his
title were contested at weights
above 133 pounds and not at ring
side.
Nelson and Wolgast both .being
small men set the figures at 133
pounds ringside.
The welter championship has
lapsed throuj. i lack of competitors,
but a majority of titular contests
were at 145 pounds, 3 p. m.
In the middleweight class the
early bouts for the title were at
154 ringside, and while Fitzsim
mons. in his bout with Dsmpsey.
scaled only -4 pounds, yet the
TECH STRONGER
FOR SEWANEE
BATTLE
DESPITE the ijuny weather
and the muddy field, the
Yellow Jacket squad put in
a hard day’s work yesterday scrim
maging as usual.
The varsity is "going good” on of
fense and is improving on defense,
but it not quite up to the standard
as yet.
A high-class tackling dufftmy has
been bought and put in use. It re
quires a pull of 150 pounds to jerk
it down. This is developing the
tackling wonderfully and the men
will show a decided improvement in
this line when they tackle the Se
wanee Tigers next Saturday.
’ The chances are about even for a
Tech victory, and the fight will be
one of brains, not brawn. Luck is
sure to play a prominent part. As
a whole prospects are bright and
Tech will be there with the old
stuff.
M’GRAWHIGHEST
PRICED MANAGER
IN BIG LEAGUES
Erank Chance’s statement that he got
SB,OOO as manager of the -Cubs was
something of a surprise, as it was gen
erally supposed that he got a yearly
stipend of not less than five figures,
although it is presumed that his stock
in the Cubs returned him enough to put
him in the plutocratic class of baseball
men.
Apparently, John J. McGraw is the
highest priced man connected with the
game, so far as mere salary is con
cerned. McGraw is said to be getting
something like SIB,OOO a year, with a
long-time contract, and this is real
money.
When Bresnahan signed his four
year contract at St. Louis, Mrs. Brit
ton gave out a statement as to the
Duke’s yearly salary which caused a
laugh among baseball men. As it
turned out. Bresnahan was getting $lO,-
i)00 salary with a percentage on the
profits of the club.
Fred Clarke is supposed to be get
ting a high salary, at least SB,OOO, if
not more. Connie Mack probably takes
down more actual cash every year than
any one else, but Connie’s interest in
the Athletics puts him in the class of
magnates.
It was supposed that Chance was
getting at least $25,000 a year out of
the Cubs, counting salary and divi
dends, but his salary alone would have
been placed at over SIO,OOO by any
baseball man making an offhand gues*
at it.
BROWN BESTS SAYLOR.
DETROIT. MICH.. Nov. 7.—Pat
Brown was the aggressor in the fight
with Young Saylor at Windsor last
night and got the popular verdict after
eight rounds.
freckled gladiator increased the
scale surprisingly in his later bouts,
when he was the defender of the
championship.
Tommy Ryan, who took the mid
dleweight title when Fitz leaped
into the heavyweight division,
could do 154 pounds and fight
strongly; but he defended the title
at 158 pounds at 3 p. m.
Those who insist there is in ex
istence an arbitrary scale of
weights declare that no tiles can
change hands except the contest
ants weigh as follows:
Bantam—ll 6 pounds, ringside.
Feather—l 22 pounds, ringside.
Lightweight —133 pounds, ringside.
Welterweight—l 42 pounds, ring
side.
Middleweight—lsß pounds, ring
side.
Their contention, in Bull Moose
\ ernacular. is "slugged over the
ropes" by the facts and tiguiva.
All-Star Southern League Team of 1912 a Freak
«!■••]> 4*«4* <•••;•
Atlanta Gets One Man, Bailey, on This Line-Up
By Percy H. Whiting.
THE official Southern league
batting and fielding averages
are out and it is possible to
pick the all-star teams of the 1912
season.
Here is the all-star fielding team:
First base —Schwartz, Nash-
ville 982
Second base—Wares, Mont
gomery’ 978
Third base—O'Dell, Atlanta-
Mobile 955
Shortstop—Lindsay, Nashville. .960
Outfielder —Johnson, Mont
gomery 1.000
Outfielder—Schweitzer, Mem
phis 985
Outfielder —Welchonce, Nash
ville 981
Catcher—Dllger, Birmingham. .993
Catcher —Hight, New Orleans. .976
This, by the way, wouldn't be a
bad team. Often the team that
leads the league in fielding is way
off on hitting, but Welchonce,
Johnson, Schwartz, Hight and
Wares all batted over .275.
The record of Johnson, the Mont
gomery outfielder, was really mar
velous. The man played in 64
games in the outfield and didn't
make an error. He had 92 chances
in that time. More than that, he
batted .320.
It is doubtful if all Southern
league history will shotv a man who
played' in 64 games, did not make
an error and batted .320.
* ♦ •
JUST byway of playing the thing
with a reverse English, the
worst fielding team of 1912 is pre
sented:
First baseman —Johnson. New
Orleans 976
Second baseman Hendryx,
New Orleans 917
Third baseman —Netzel, Mem-
phis 873
Shortstop—O’Brien, Atlanta-
Mobile 821
Outfield—Messenger. Birming-
ham 919
Outfielder —Hemphill, Atlanta. .949
Outfielder —Spencer, New Or
leans 951
Catcher —McAllister, Mont
gomery - 931
Catcher —Hanna, Chattanooga .933
It will be observed that only one
Birmingham man appears in the
team of star fielders and only one
among the punk fielders. All of
.which goes to prove the contention
that Birmingham won with a team
of mediocre ability—that played up
to its limit.
• • •
ry course, the main thing in
picking an all-star team Is the
batting. Here is how an organiza
tion would work out, picked ex
clusively for batting ability:
First baseman McGilvray,
Birmingham 314
Second base —Alperman. At
lanta 286
Third base—Almeida, Bir
mingham 301
Shortstop—Harbison. Atlanta. .296
Outfield—Welchonce, Nashville .325
Outfield —Johnson. Montgom-
ery 320
outfield —Bailey. Atlanta 315
Catcher —Hight, New Orleans. .280
Catcher—Seabaugh. Nashville-
Memphis 272
Note that three of the players
named are Atlantans.
The excellence of Harry Bailey's
batting average is a pleasant sur
prise to Atlanta fant. The unoffi
cial averages, generally, gave him a
lower mark. The Cracker outfielder
stood second in the Southern
league among the men who played
in 100 or more games. The only
man who topped him was the
league leader. Welchonce. of Nash
ville. Harbison's showing was also
excellent, as was Alperman's. These
men proved heavy hitters, espe
cially for infielders.
• « • »
THE matter of picking the real
all-Southern league team for the
-eason is not difficult, with the dope
at hand. Here it is:
McGilvray, Ib.—A batting aver
age of .314, combined with a rec-
ord of only 21 errors for the sea
son, not to mention the fact that
he was a good base runner, gives
the Birmingham first baseman the
call.
Wares, 2b. —It is a toss-up be
tween Wares, of Montgomery, and
Alperman, of Atlanta, for the sec
ond base job. Whitey was the bet
ter batter by .286 to .275, but he was
the worse fielder, .953 to .978. Wares
has the advantage In base stealing,
42 to 28, and on mere figures de
serves the call. If headwork were
considered, Alperman would be the
winner.
Almeida, 3b.—The third basing
talent wasn't painfully classy this
season. McDonald, of Nashville,
and Almeida, of Birmingham, are
the logical choices. McDonald
fielded .941. which was good, but
batted only .250. Almeida batted
.301. but fielded miserably, .911.
However, when you weigh Almei
da’s advantage in hits—llß to 68
against McDonald's advantage in
errors, 16 to 35, it is easy enough
to award the palm, such as it is,
to the Cuban.
Balenti, ss. —There were a. slather
of fairly good shortstops in the
Southern league last year. Accord
ing to the records, the best men
were Elberfeld, Balenti. Crandall
and Harbison. Elberfeld fielded
best and batted the worst of the
four. His great headwork and his
pepper would make him a valuable
man. and he would get second call.
Harbison, the Cracker, had the best
batting mark in the lot and the
worst fielding. Crandall was fairly
good in batting and fielding. But
The farmer chews
Drummond because < vft
he knows it is made
of^enuine,mild.nafuial-
leaf Burley
In
DRUMMOND
NATURAL LEAF
CHEWING TOBACCO |
th,e best general average is pos
sessed by Bill Smith’s Indian. He
fielded .916 and batted .288. which
is a good record.
Johnson, Welchonce and Bailey,
outfielders—These men are easy io
pick. Their batting averages are
.320 .325 and .315, respectively, and
that's all you want to know about
an outfielder, provided he can catch
a ball even a little bit.
Haigh and Seabough, catchers—
The general batting work of the
Southern league catchers wa< >"
weak that it is a hard matter to
pick the leaders. Haigh. of New
Orleans, wins a place easily, but
the second string man is harder to
pick. Angemeier did well, but ap
peared in only a few games, anil
batted only .258. So the job goes
to “Doc” Seabough. They said he
was all in when they canned him
at Nashville, but he went to Mem
phis and managed to gel through
the season with a batting mark of
.272 and a fielding record of .951.
Aitchison, Demaree, Wagner,
West and Foxen, pitchers—Th •
five men, in the order named, wert
the real winners of the season. If
West were thrown out because of
the fact that he worked only '• n
times, fifth honors would go io
Boyd. It is a notable fact that t e
first four men named played with
mediocre teams. Aitchison ait<
Demaree all but "made" the teanr
they played with. Merrell. Ca' t
and Summers all deserve modal
for good work with second-rate
teams.
As might be expected, this all
star team, picked from the aver
ages. is a weak club: weaker than
usual, just as the Southern league
of 1912 was weaker than usual.
