Honolulu Record, August 19, 1948, vol. 1 no. 3, p. 6
K.O. Warren
Next week the writer will comment on the set-up at the Civic Auditorium, the price hike in the general admission tickets and will make suggestions for improving conditions for the benefit of boxing fans. The recent shelving by the commissioners of a dozen or more fighters for "no ability," "no condition," and other reasons has removed a number of liabilities from the boxing community. But there are still others who have not been removed.
Let's take the case of fighter Mamoru Hirota.
Hirota has fought seven times in the last nine weeks—five of them in succession. Commission rules and regulations states under Rule 56, and I quote:
"A boxer competing in a bout of four rounds or less may not compete again until 48 hours have elapsed."
Rules Protect the Managers
That rigid rule protects the manager and some promoters, but how in the name of common decency can you allow a boxer like Hirota to engage in five successive fights in as many number of weeks. It is obvious with the mediocre showing made by Hirota that he is at the end of his career.
Many people have asked whether the Humane Society should be called. The poor showing in the several fights by Hirota indicates an apathetic interest on the part of some of our managers for the welfare of the boxers. The rules and regulations state that managers must consider the welfare of our boxers at all times, and I want to emphasize the words—"at all times."
Who is to blame for Hirota continuing week after week getting bashed up? Surely the 33 1/2 per cent cut isn't a good enough reason to continue to let Hirota fight. Which leads me to ask how managers do get their license? The rules aren't too specific but the ability of a man to manage a restaurant doesn't necessarily qualify an individual to manage a fighter.
What Won't Promoters Do?
Now let's take a gander at Llewelyn Strohlin, a one time amateur fighter. Strohlin had the makings of a fairly good pro. But his bouts have shown that Strohlin is only a fair to middling fighter. Today, billed as the "lightweight champion of Hawaii," he is a glaring example of what a promoter will do to have a "fall guy." His two recent defeats by "Tiger" Kim and a knockout at the hands of Johnny Ledesma proves my point.
Even his decision over James Bothelo doesn't alter the fact that he is through but the Commission prefers to carry him along as the lightweight champion of Hawaii. And so billed as a champ he manages to get beaten by youngsters trying their mitts out. My advice to the Commission is to put up his title and stop carrying the farce any further!
Young Bolo III who was knocked out in his last fight with Jimmy Perry is another example of the glaring inconsistencies of our fistic fathers. He was recently shelved. When a number of fighters were "retired" Young Bolo III was not included. A look at his record should have prompted the Commissioners to take him out of circulation sooner.
Retire the "Has Beens"
Al Kalua now fighting on the Big Island was given a terrific lacing on the last fight card promoted by the Leavitt-Ichinose combo. Al started years ago as an amateur in Honolulu and in the last two years fought also as an amateur until turning pro. In a triangular meet in the Hilo Armory sponsored by the Lanai, Kona and Hilo clubs last year, Al met an obscure amateur and promptly got knocked out in the first round!
That is the same Al Kalua the promoters got out of the moth balls to feed the sucker public. Too many of the old timers down Hilo way want to come out of retirement. Let them stay permanently in retirement!