PROMOTERS SQUABBLE.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 178, 14 August 1937, Page 16

PROMOTERS SQUABBLE.

arranging boxing matches. FARR AND SCHMELING Seldom is an important hoxing match arranged without a squabble between the promoters, the- fighters, and their managers (writes B. Penmson). Usually all thfe trouble is over the financial conditions. Quickly after his success against Walter Neusel it was proposed to Tommy Farr that he, should meet Max Schmeling, the German, who defeated Joe Louis, and who claims the championship of the world, despite the success of the negro against Braddock, Schmeling agreed to the match, and it was understood that he and Farr had signed a contract to fight in London during August. One of the promoters of the contest is Brigadier-General. Critchley, . chief of greyhound racing, and after, as it was presumed, everything had been settled he stated that Schmeling had been guaranteed £15,000," and that Farr would receive £7500. "That's not good enough for me," Farr said. "Why chould I receive only half the amount Schmeling is to be paid?" He went to Paris for a holiday and, apparently,, instructed his manager to enter into negotiations for a match with Louis in America. The represenlative of Mike Jacobs, the American promoter, at once came to London and lixed a match between Farr and Louis to take place in Septembcr, and it is stated that, in addition to a fee of £15,000, Farr is to receive 20 per cent. of broadcasting film rights. Under these conditions he may earn as much as £20,000 from ttie fight. This dramatic turn of events came as a eomplete surprise to General Critchley, and those acting with him. -They still insist that Farr has signed a contract to fight Schmeling under their management, but the Farr party declare that it was only ,a provisional arrangement. That is how matters stands at present, but Farr is making plans to go to New York and, unless actidn-can be taken to prevent him, he intends to do so in a few days. The board of control are in a curious position. They not only gave the Farr-Schmcling fight their blessing, but announced that it would t'be for the championship of the world. They based this decision on the ground that the German had beaten Louis. Strangely enough, the dispute with Farr has not been brought before them, and this may' sdggest that there is some clause in the' contract which lets the English champion out.