Fighting and Boxing
Tim sweet science was so called a century ago, and if the description was inappropriate then, it is definitely absurd now -; and the Noble. Art is now no longer noble, except from time to time in its amateur manifestations. Nor has Mr. Wignall; than whom no .one writing at the present time more thoroughly ' understands both the technical and personal aspects of the subjects, failed to appreciate the poor sport that professional pugilists usually give.
Lax refereeing, he explains, and enormous purses have made a great deal of modern boxing tedious and 'intolerable. No true sport is involved, pugilism has become a trade in which highly advertised men demand corresponding fees, often without troubling to pass through the drudgery of a long, but necessary, apprenticeship. A few names emerge, however, of real champions. The late Jim Driscoll rightly inspires Mr. Wignall to an almost lyrical enthusiasm. Driscoll was the last and the finest exponent of the straight-standing, left-leading "'English " style. " He was decidedly the most brilliant featherweight I ever saw. So supreme was he, indeed, that I venture to suggest it will be miraculous if his like is born in the years remaining to those who are now following boxing." Jimmy Wilde, another Welshman, -Mr. Wignall describes as, " the most phenomenal boxer of his or any other age."
Jack Dempsey, also, is discovered to be a quiet, unassuming .young man, with a very real knowledge of boxing, aided by a splendid physique. In an IntrodUction full of common sense,
the author points out that spectators want to see a knock- out. " C'mon," says the " fan," " let's see blood." And, Indeed, what would boxing be without bashing 2
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