THE BOXING RACKET

The indignation of thousands of listeners who gasped when two judges gave the world's heavyweight crown to Sharkey after 58 seconds' deliberation is supported by the considered judgment of the leading sporting experts. Caren's tabulation indicates that Schmeling totalled 262 blows landed as against his opponent's 256; for the great part of the fight Sharkey was retreating. His admission that the ruling could be given to either man means that the most Sharkey deserved was a draw. Although the majority of lesser known Boston sports writers conclude that the Czeckoslovak gob was the rightful victor, such judges as Tunney, Vidmer, McGeehan, to name a few, agree in the feeling of the German's manager that the decision was a "robbery."

In the minds of many there will be a strong suspicion that it was more than robbery. More probably it was premeditated dishonesty. Had Sharkey "won," there would now be little excuse for a third combat. As it is, the stage is set for another bout, to bring in gate receipts for the fighters, and lucre for any judges whom either manager may care to bribe. In athletics, too, New York seems to have "the best judges money can buy;" at best, they are unduly patriotic. If there were more Yankee triotic. If there were more Yankee shrewdness in the nation the promoters of boxing and wrestling would not batten so readily on the gullibility of the people. Tuesday night's performance will go far towards discrediting boxing frame-ups as a form entertainment.