Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. január-június (23. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1940-05-09 / 19. szám
I May 9, 1940. Verhovayak Lapja Chicaeo Branch 503 Welcomes Szigeti Left to right: Beatrice Sztanko, Anne Horvath, the Magyar Doxing uum^juu ligeti, Eleanor Sztanko and Ella Mészáros. Seated: Master Frank Balogh. Lajos Szigeti, Magyar Boxer, in Chicago Verhovay Branch 503 and Hungarian Society Fete Magyars from Homeland By STEPHEN HUZIANYI FOR THE RECORD On the morning of April 4th Lajos Szigeti, Magyar light heavyweight boxing champion on the European Golden Gloves Team scheduled to fight Chicagoland’s 1940 top ranking amateurs, stepped off the 8:40 train from New York into the Union Station to be greeted by officials and members of Verhovay Chicago Branch 503. Since the three Swedish and four Italian fighters on the European squad had their respective delegation cm hand to welcome them, but no flowers, no pretty girls, etc., Magyar hospitality asserted itself to give a heart warming welcome to all. Why, even Ulderico Sergo, Italian bantamweight champion, greeted the four girls (Beatrice Sztanko, Ella Mészáros, Anne Horvath, Eleanor Sztanko), with “Hogy vagy” and counted up to four (in Italian) for Szigeti, pointing to the girls who were attired in Magyar costume. The pictures which appeared in the Chicago Tribune, sponsor of the International Golden Gloves, featured the Hungarians as the hosts to both the Swedes and Italians. The happiest man on the European squad was evidently Lajos Szigeti who could not help but appreciate the efforts of the Magyars to make him feel at home. “One of Szigeti’s admirers in the crowd which met the boxers was Master Frank Balogh, 9 years old, who absented himself from school to be on hand,” said the Tribune in an article “Lone Hungarian Fighter Gets Flowery Greeting.” (April 5th issue). A major portion of the responsibilities to make the reception for Lajos most pleasant and certainly a never-to-be forgotten event was assumed by Secretary Balogh of Verhovay Branch 503. His task was no less difficult because of the fact that there were no organized groups of Hungarians outside of the Verhovay Branch 503 which were schooled in the courtesies owing to distinguished MA GYARS, at least on the morning of April 4th. AN HISTORICAL ASIDE Some, even, of the “Hungarian” papers were asleep, after a wild, infatuated time in the gaudy company of an archduke, a Habsburg by the way. (These, who exercised their inalienable right to treat a Habsburg as though he were a godsend to the Magyar people, of ALL people, should perhaps be reminded to dust the cobwebs from the not so ancient history books and utilize their time in a perusal of the oppressive Habsburg role where Hungary was con cemed. Particular em phasis should be put into the re-study of Magyar struggles for liberty and independence under Rákóczi (1706—1711) and Louis Kossuth (1848—1849). For the benefit of those lukewarm, politically illiterate or misguided Hungarians who are so elated to welcome a royal personage, October 6th is a day of mourning in Magyar history. And why? On that day in 1849—91 years ago — thirteen magyar generals were executed at Arad by the Austrian Habsburgs for loyalty to Magyardom, while thousands of patriots were tortured and imprisoned because they believed in liberty and independence (not for the Habsburgs, of course, but for Hungary)! APRIL 7, 1940 Lajos Szigeti, in the company of Frank Balogh, Joseph Csanady and this writer, attended the Birth day Party arranged for its members by Branch 503 at Rainbow Hall, 333 W. North Avenue. President Joseph Szenassy and Treasurer Eugene Petrovits, Sr. alternated at the microphone in presenting the program. I Stephen Papp and László kerekes rendered severa] Vlagyar songs, which were followed by Magyar folk jlances and brief hearty addresses to the Magyar fistic champion. Practically every one of the two hundred odd people present personally met Lajos and 503’s pretty young girls vied with each other to take turns in dancing with him. In a neighboring hall, an Italian club was having its social affair and dance. Several of their officials, hearing that the Magyar boxer was in the building, came to the Rain! bow Hall and insisted on staying until Lajos was brought over to their affair where the Italian-Americans gave him an enthusiastic welcome. Verhovay Branch 503 purchased two fine presents for Lajos in token ol respect. APRIL 10TH A capacity throng o: over 20,000 witnessed th< nternational boxing matcl it the Chicago Stadium The preliminary bouts, ove it 10 P. M., preceded ai impressive ceremony. Th entire arena was dark e? cept for the brilliance of spotlight which focused ii beams upon the Europea boxing champions as the single filed from a nortl west corner to the ring. 1 the ring, on the left, the boxers stood attentively. " I Huge rays of another spotlight swung around to the opposite corner to focus upon the boxers of Chicagoland, as they too approached the ring. A third spotlight focused its rays to the rafters of the arena, where, high above the spectators, the Magyar flag was unfurled as the organ played the Magyar national anthem. The flags of Sweden and Italy were unfurled next. Then the American flag was flown while “To the Colors” was played by the organ. The huge crowd, with faces upturned, simultaneously commenced singing The Star Spangled Banner. Thereafter followed short announcements, grateful thanks from Gerardo Leonardi of Italy; Arthur Kankovszky of Hungary, who is secretary and treasurer of the International Boxing Federation; and Oscar Soderlund of Sweden, president of the federation. The Europeans received America’s greetings by Arch Ward, sports editor of The Chicago Tribune and director of the Golden Gloves Tournament. For a brief moment the lights were dimmed, then, turned on again, to reveal the first two fighters in their corners. This pageantry was inspiring to say the least, but fate would have it that Szigeti broke his hand on his opponent in the first round and, thus handicapped, lost the decision. Yet the International Boxing matches ended in a 4 to 4 tie. And Szigeti’s gallant fight with but one good hand did not go unappreciated by the audience. APRIL 11TH In Edgewater Beach Hotel’s spacious and artistically decorated Marine Dining Room, the HUNGARIAN • SOCIETY arranged a banquet in honor of Lajos Szigeti and Arthur Kankovszki. In the midst of about 400 people was reserved the main table, decorated with American and Hungarian flags, and occupied by Lajos Szigeti, Arthur Kankovszky, Dr. and Mrs. Bela Balas, Dr. Árpád Barothy, Dezső Szantay, Sylvia Horvath, in the national Magyar dress, Joseph Csanady, Stephen Huzianyi, Irene Szantay, Nandor Szollinger, Bela Junkunc, Elmer Szantay, Mr. and Mrs. Arpad Sipos, Rev. and Mrs. Stephen Balogh, Sándor Junkunc, Jr., and Charles Simko. After a specially prepared dinner, dessert was served from a tray stand upon which stood a three foot ice mould of boxer, the center of attraction. One of the liveliest evenings in the entire history of Hungarian nights was recorded on this occasion. Lajos could report at home the sparkling reception and subsequent care he received of his American friends. It can not be said that an alien, a Habsburg, no matter how rrrrroyal, has received better treatment at the hands of Hungarians than has a fellow Magyar. A NOTE ABOUT SZIGETI Szigeti, dean of the European boxing team, held the championship 13 times in Magyarhon and in the last two Olympics reached the semi-finals. He is a veteran, having had more than 600 fights; but has never been knocked out. Lajos won 149 of his 174 international boxing matches, knocking out 37 opponents. In 1932 in New York he whipped Mark Howell, after which he was asked to turn professional. Szigeti is an active officer in the Magyar Air Force and has inherited the determined qualities of his father who was also an officer in the Hungarian Army.
