A NATIONAL DISGRACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3175, 22 March 1911, Page 7

A NATIONAL DISGRACE.

Indignation has been aroused by a de grading exhibition - given at Tulsa, Oklahoma; -when two young girls named Bennett and Martin, fought six rounds in a regularly arranged prize fight. At the end of the contest both -were in a very exhausted and battered condition, and -steps are being taken for the prosecution of the promoters, principals and spectators. Oklahoma is a new State, and methods there are primitive and -wild, but there are more than enough respectable citizens to resent such displays, and to secure the punishment of the participators. Ihe two -giids, whose united ages do not reach forty, are both prominent athletes in their own districts, and have indulged in friendly boxing bo'uts before, but, of course, strictly “under the rose ” This “affair,” however, was a prize fight on strict Queensberry rules, of six three-minute rounds. Bessie Alartin was advertised as the “Champion of Oklahoma City,” and Nellie Bennett as the “Champion of Chicago. Iliey fought in costumes that would . never have passed the Chicago Censor for Salome dances, and nearly 1,000 spectators. of whom a large proportion were women, yelled encouragement £ . and praise to", the contestants. Dany Chronicle” correspondent.