/Boxing Gains NewPopularity in Swe

de

STOCKHOLM A')-Swedish box-
ing has taken on new life thanks
to Ingemar Johansson, the new
world heavyweight champion. In
fact, the whole Swedish nation has
been aroused by the thunder of
Ingo's mighty "Thor's hiunmer"-
the right hand punch with which
he knocked out Floyd Patterson
June 26 in New York:
However, there still is conflict
between boxing's staunch support-
ers and its bitter foes who have-
been attacking with more force
than ever.
When Ingemar came home to
Goteborg after winning the Euro-
pean heavyweight crown he re-
ceived an official welcome. When
he returned as world champion-
Sweden's first ever in. boxing-his
native town's authorities frowned
at his "dirty work" and wanted no
part of him.
However, a crowd of 25,000 Gote-
borg citizens overlooked the offi-
cial snub and staged a mightly
welcome in their big stadium.
Frown on Boxing
Boxing always has been in
trouble in Sweden where authori-
ties and government officials frown
on it and sports officials treat it
like a stepchild. At the time of
World War I, boxing shows were
forbidden. When the Swedish Box-
ing Union started to reorganize
and clean up the fight game in the
1920s, boxing still was classed with
carnival stunts.
During the latest anti-boxing
campaign, editorials and letters to
the editor claimed boxing was not'
a sport but assault and battery.
Investigations by doctors and ex-
perts, some government sponsored,
have turned up new material to
the fire raging in the papers from
the cultural to the sports pages.
But there is no doubt that the
Swedish people, the youth of the
nation, in particular, regard Jo-
hansson's right hand punch as the
heaviest argument in favor of the
sport. Youngsters are taking up
boxing like never before. Ring togs
are in great demand and more kids
are lining up daily in front of the
small but well-managed gyms.
Officials Relent
Even government circles seem to
have relented somewhat in their
stern attitude. Prime Minister Er-
lander, together with King Gustav
Adolf and other notables sent con-
gratulatory cables to Ingemar af-
ter his victory.
The campaign against boxing is
now centered around a newspaper
publisher and member of parlia-
ment;Yngve Hamrin of Ponkoping
in southern Sweden, and certain
medical groups.

e

They still are rallying their for-
ces after the blow Ingemar dealt.
them. It is hard to build up a
myth of a bloodthirsty killer
around the cleancut Swedish
champ who rose from humble be-
beginnings.
The Swedes, being of a strong
and sportloving stock that still re-
tains some of the old Viking spirit,
have always loved their strong
men, of which there has been an
imposing number.
Majority Favor Boxing-
Tlge majority of the people, at
least on the male side, are definite-
ly in favor of boxing. But the box-
ing generally approved of here is
amateur and the British method
of control of the pros as compared:
with what is galled the "bloody and
profiteering American fight rack-
et."
This opinion has been fortified

through the reports of the myst
sous behind-the-scenes negotiat
for the first Johansson-Patter
bout, especially the attempt to fc
a "ten per cent manager" on In
mar.
The Swedish Amateur Box
Union dominates the scene h1
completely. It also sees to it t
the few pro boxers follow rigorc
precautionary regulations.
The wave of enthusiasm for I
is even higher now than it was
Gunder Haegg, Sweden's mig
miler, and tlie country's soc
football heroes.
In a Stockhold appearance,
measured up well with Jussi Boc
ling, the opera great, drawing t
of thousands.
The fighter's popularity is
high in Denmark and Norway
it is in his own country. He
helped cement the bonds am
these Scandinavian nations.

HENRY H.
STEVENS, Inc.
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A HIGH, FAST ONE-This young pitcher tried his best to retire
the opposing side in order, but to no avail as the enemy won the
game by a 15-2 margin. Wildness is the biggest problem of young
hurlers.%

err err it

"AM'I SAFE?"-This young sandlotter seems to be asking whether
he was safe or out at the plate. A long throw from the outfield was
wild and he slid safely into home in a cloud of dust.

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