BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 7

BOXING.

The Hearst papers in New York and othrr parts "of America whose attention to and boosting of sport opened the way for them to popularity, have lately swung around against boxing through political influences—particularly the fact of being at ""outs" with Tammany, whose adherents love the padded.mitt game for its own sweet >ake. huaist writers, much against llieir desire, are continually punching home hot ones below the belt—as foul hlows as ever sportsmen hooted and referee jumped upon. .While endeavoring to make a grave for the most popular game the world wots of, it is not at all unlikely that the Hearst people are digging a burial place for themselves. Wait and see.

A riuruielphia message dated October I seated: —James J. C'orbett, former champion heavyweight pugilist of. the world, is dying here to-night-qt Jef- '(< - " " '. " v operation, perff-.-ni'd as a b.-f l<; *•><,•<> hirn from pcrhfmilK T ' : is, no liooo. the «»r«* ■(.»•> .".'id his .death is only a. question of hours. Hloo.cjrpoisoning had set in because- the appendix;, had been ruptured,, and it was..Jfeared.•' that lie would die before he could'be hurried to the operating table and placedunder an anaesthetic. News of his condition was withheld in the, hope that the diagnosis might be wrong and lhat after he had been operated upon if would.be iV.r.id i!r\t he still had a lighting chance. T» ' M h.To loiiay ring battles stood n' .•;• v.-'.ll. but the rupture had done-.its-v.vtL His vitality is something wonderful, the surgeons say. for such' a condition u-ii lilly lrsnifs in death within • .1 :<•«• Jd.i-r-. lnii>!m!i,"Mv. after lh« 1 '!: :• v • • o he \va« taken into ' .it., ' v, ■■ that" he : - ' 'Vi'.."i 'i"i n\ ■".in was admin- !• .• . .! p.ivepuoly. This ■ »ii. .. aw was only temporary. for he sank into a state of unconsciousness immediately after, and, except for a few periods when he asked for water, he has failed to recognise anyone about him. (Cablegrams since received in Sydney stated that Corbett had rallied wonderfully, and prospects for a recovery were good. As we have heard nothing further, it would seem that the patient has mended well). Albert Griffith, known in the pugilistic world' as "Grifl'o." was arrested in New York recently, and charged with soliciting alms. The former champion, shabbily dressed and hungry, was lined up at the station-house before Sergeant Sheridan, who knew him well in his palmy davs. and recognised him, despite the 20011) of llesh which concealed his once athletic frame. "Fifteen years ago," said Sheridan, reminiseently. 'Griffo' used to bet a thousand dollars that 110 no could couid knock a cigar from his mouth while lie stood 011 a handkerchief. He didn't step off the bit of cloth, and he didn't strike a blow. He merely dodged, and ihvays won his bet."

Leon Truflier, one of the French brigade. has found, like many other boxers who have come to Australia, that he has put on weight since his arrival, and, although he has never fought as other than a bantam, he has discovered (hat the limit of that division will not be within his reach for much longer. He weighed Ost V,lJ> a few days ago. and for his contest with "Jimmy" Hill, which took place on November 0, he stipulated for a 8.12 limit. Hill was quite agreeable. and the boys were under forfeit to make that poundage.