Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
MIDDLEWEIGHT FIELD
Only HAS OPEN LOOK
RYAN SAYS OTHER DIVISIONS
ARE UNBALANCED
Tommy Thinks Johnny coulon Is Best
Boy That Can Make 1o5 Pounds
Legitimately and Fight .
Right

Tommy Ryan in an interview states
that the middleweight division, of which
he claims to be the champion, is the only
one that has an "open look" and gives
the following reasons:
1.-THE middleweight division today is the
only one in the entire pugilistic game
that is we'll and evenly balanced, the
only one over which there is constantly
lowering some doubt and guesswork.
Through each of the other classes
there is one man who is so far above the
others in ring merit that there is no
chance for his getting an even match. In
most of the classes there is a champion
who is practically undisputed and whose
ability is so marked that when he is
matched he is Immediately l to shot
over his opponent.
"Among the little fellows there seems
to be considerable doubt, however. l re-
fer to the men of the lU5-pound division.
But even at that figure few of them care
to take a chance. Most of the bantams
want to weigh in at from 107 to 112
pounds, which fact alone sends them out
of that class and into the next one above.
Johnny Coulon seems to be the best of
the boys that can make los pounds legiti-
mately and fight at that figure.
"There is good chance to create a
new champion at weight between 110
and llS pounds. We'll DO I remember
when 11S pounds was the true feather
weight figure, as indeed it should be to-
day, with special class at about 124
pounds.
"Of course there is only one Abe At
tell.
"He stands out in class by himself
among the feathers, and indeed I sincere
ly believe there are few lightweights
who can beat him.
''The same classification is possible
among the 133-pounders. There is but
one Cans, mighty fighter of rarest
class and skill, a man so old he should
now be classed a retired veteran, but
so well preserved that he is able to
easily dispose of anybody sent against
him.
From the light to the middleweight
limit is a queer combination of freaks
and misfits.
'Were Joe Wacott as good as he was
five years ago che would send any
mothers son of them scampering to the
nearest woods in deepest fear. He was
the dandy of them all, and, like Joe
Cans, could step out into two classes
above his own and whip heavyweights.-
1.-THE same is true of the present day
heavyweight division with Jim Jeffries
in retirement Tommy Burns a good
fighter. is joke for a champion.
Really I must consider this fellow
johnson as sure enough black peril.
1 doubt if there is a heavy today that
can stand him off He is getting better
all the time. too. Kaufman doesn't
shape up well, but may turn out to be
something with more time on his shoul-
ders. Schreck, through bad training
methods, has proved a disappointment,
and there ur list ends.
mot so among the middleweights.
Just look a, the array of high grade
fighters that could be thrown into
tournament and put up dazzling, even
fights that would send the fighting bug
into spasmr of delight. Here is the
way will have to place them:
''First-Jack (Twin) Sullivan. one of
the greatest fighters that ever lived, and
probably the hardest man in the ring to
whip. I counsel any of them to keep
hands off of this bald headed chap.
"Second-Hugo Kelly, the Chicago
italian, particularly good and will
ing fighter but one who will have to
fight more aggressively to become real
popular idol.
"Thrd-Bill Papke. the Spring Valley
wonder, of whom L have heard much,
but know little. But he is great man,
and coming so strong that he commands
instant attention.
Fourth Young Ketchell. the young
Butte man, who sprang into such prom
inence by drawing with and beating Joe
Thomas out on the Pacific coast, two eX-
cellent performances
Just think over the possibilities among
this quartet # star lighters! 1t is enough
to make the mouths of the fans water
in anticipation