According to a syndicated column by Frank G. Menke in the July 17, 1922 edition of the Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, the state of New York had enacted a ban of boxers under the age of 21 in bouts scheduled for more than eight rounds, essentially preventing such boxers from fighting in championship bouts in the state. Considering the new rule to be "asinine," Menke added that there were about a "score" of boxers under the age of 21 who had a realistic chance of dethroning champions in various weight divisions at the time, citing Dave Shade as a prime example. In addition, Menke cited some top fighters of the past who would have been affected by the rule, including Stanley Ketchell, Terry McGovern, Willie Ritchie and George Dixon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before the ban was enacted, Shade had seven recorded bouts scheduled for more than eight rounds in the state of New York, including a shot at Jack Britton's world welterweight title in a fifteen-round bout, which ended in a draw. After losing a decision in a ten-round bout to Frankie Schoell in Buffalo on March 13, 1922, Shade remained very active, but didn't have another recorded bout in the state of New York until he fought Jimmy Kelly in New York City on January 1, 1923. Shade won a decision after twelve rounds in the bout (Note- According to a great majority of documents and records that I have seen, Shade was born on March 1, 1902. If the ban was still in force in the state of New York during 1923, how was Shade permitted fight in a scheduled twelve-round bout with Kelly in New York City a little less than two months before his 21st birthday?) - Chuck Johnston
