Honolulu Record, August 19, 1948, vol. 1 no. 2, p. 6
Sports World
K. O. Warren
This is second in a series of four articles on boxing in Hawaii. Subsequent articles will cover the Boxing Commission, officiating and some inside information on what is termed as the boxing "racket." Many of our sports writers have been guilty of some phony reporting. The write-ups given to some of the "stinkeroos" were nothing short of an apology for the promoter. The close relationship of promoter Leo Leavitt, some of our sportswriters, and our commission officials have also cast a shadow of suspicion. And yet this suspicion cannot be completely overlooked when our press agent boys have helped to unload some "lemons" on the public.
Bouquets To Red McQueen
Refreshing throughout this maze of phony reporting is the job done by Red McQueen of the Advertiser. The research he does in order to do some accurate reporting has meant a tremendous following for his column. His criticism of boxers, managers, the commission, and anybody connected with the game in his "Aftermath of a Fight Night" have resulted in a semblance of a watch dog column. Red hasn't been afraid to call a fighter a "bum," or a lousy fight a "stinkeroo," or a "love match" when fighters were trying to fool the public. But Joe Anzivino nor Ken Misumi has been too critical with the boxing set-up. Are the two boys hypnotized by Loquacious Leo?
The "Chuck" Cureton Case
The sports writers could have had a Roman holiday on the "Chuck" Cureton case. "Chuck" was allowed to fight twice in Honolulu before it was uncovered that he had been barred in the state of California for a "BUM HEART!" The commission rules and regulations are pretty specific about physical examination and I quote Rule #129: "A licensed physician must be present at all official weigh-in. Each contestant must be given a thorough physical examination— and also another examination an hour before entering the ring to compete." Before a local license is issued a boxer must undergo a thorough physical examination, much more thorough than the weigh-in examination. He must take a sereological examination for venereal disease; he must undergo a postural and skeletal exam; and a real check-up for heart, blood, or kidney disease. On top of this he must be fingerprinted for any past record. Then why was Chuck Cureton allowed to fight two times in Hawaii when the records show that he had been barred by the California State boxing commission for having a bum heart? If Cureton had been "accidentally killed," a lot of people including the commissioners and physician had to do some mighty fast talking.
Public Is Well Informed
Inside information has it that a letter was written to the Commissioners and to the Boxing Commission regarding Chuck's status after Cureton fought his second fight, and the officials claimed little or no knowledge of the status of Chuck Cureton in California. Some last minute checking up indicated that one John Q. Public knew more about Chuck-Cureton than the complete files of the boxing commission. This has never been reported in our press. The commissioners and the boxing secretary will give out a lot of alibis for the Chuck Cureton case, but I doubt if they can deny substantially the statement made in this article.