Honolulu Record, September 2, 1948, vol. 1 no. 5, p. 6
Editor's Note—This is the concluding article by the writer on boxing in Hawaii. Watch for future columns by K. O. Warren.
The recent arrival of Leonard Sacks on the Honolulu boxing scene has resulted in some back biting by those in control of an alleged monopoly. The cry of the clique inside the monopoly has been that the public cannot and will not support too many boxing events.
A Good Record
It certainly sounds like baloney in thin slices. The public has supported good boxing events by heavy attendance. The public is learning fast, and is learning to differentiate a "lemon" from the "McCoy." The press agent boys can do a public service along this line by giving a more accurate report of the fighters who come to this rock.
I have checked the record of Mr. Leonard Sacks. His past record in the boxing game has been on the up and up. The endorsements given him by nationally-known public figures is good enough for me. Now, Sacks came here with a sincere interest to help Hawaii's boxing game. However, he's had lots of headaches by the antagonism created by another promoter. While the last two Docusen fights were a joint promotion venture a lot of credit should go to Leonard Sacks for these crowd-pleasing events.
Protect the Amateurs
The amateur fight game now has too many professional fight managers Involved for the best interest of the public. I believe that eventually the overly strong tie-up between amateurs and professionals must be severed.
The constant stealing of fighters for the various stables with the idea of developing a fighter for monetary gains is developing fast into a public scandal. The boxing commission's responsibility for both the amateur and professional boxing games should be taken more seriously.
The amateur fight game has developed into more of an eye-to-the-gate than for what the amateur fight game was intended for. I may sound naive, but amateur boxing was originally developed in line with the hope of a clean mind and a clean body idea. The athletes are now being developed to land eventually in the professional ranks and the majority to land in the gutter.
Needed — A House Cleaning
It is high time that there should be a better discussion as far as the goals of athletics in Hawaii are concerned. The major emphasis originally was for mass participation to develop good citizens; eventually, also, to participate in international bouts to bring credit to the people of Hawaii.
It the commission was originally set up to protect the public interest, let the commissioners, the officials, the sports writers, and every citizen connected with boxing make a critical evaluation of what has happened in the past, which has not brought credit to boxing as it was originally intended for in Hawaii The public can only stomach so much end no more. Let's start with the commission and begin cleaning house. Hawaii needs a "New Deal" in boxing!