The sun., 1908-12-13
EYENTPUL YEAR In FIGHTING.
TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS HAyE
CHANGED OWNERSHIP.

Nelson Twice Defeated Cans for the KAeht-
weight Title, While Ketchel ResaIned
HIS Lost Laurels From PApke-New
Heavyweight Champion Coming
Before the year 1908 fades away the
heavyweight championship OF the world
may change hands. for Tommy Burns.
the present holder Of the title, with JEFF
fries in retirement Of course. will meet
Jack johnson, the oolored pueilist. in q
finish fight on December 20 In great
stadium at Sydney. New South Wales,
but in the other Glasses noohanGes Beezn
probable before the new year rolls around.
by followers Of pugilism. Within tho
last few months two worlds champion
ships have changed ownership. Battling
Nelson, game and willing. IL now the
lightweight champion and he deserves
the title. The Dane has met oil oomers
and has yet to be accused Of ehowing the
white feather. He won his title - the
best man in the world at 1888 pounds ring
sidA by whipping twice in succession the
wonderful veteran Joseph Cans.
Gans's downfall was the first pugilistic
surprise Of the year, When the news was
flashed throughout the country and across
the oceans that Cans the incompatible
had been made to bite the dust sporting
mon could not believe it. and instantly
formed the opinion that something must
have been wrong with the scientific
Baltimore negro.
"Gans thought he had oinoh and did
not train,' they said, and they kept II
up 30 persistently that Nelson, II. order
to prove again that he was the mastsr
consented to take the ooiored boxer on
in q second MILL Cans suffered his second
decisive defeat at the hands of the new
lightweight champion. and incidentally
proved that he is in a class by himself
for even Cans has repeatedly admitted
since that Nelson is the greatest light
weight under the sun. just what Nelson
may accomplish in the ring as champion
remains to be seen. He saye he win not
fight again until some time next Eebru-
ary, but then he will be asked to defend
his title in mill with either Paclty Nc
Farland or Freddie Welch, both clever
men who appear to outclsss the other
boxers in the light weight division. Welch
and Mcfarland met some time ago at
Los Angeles in fast twenty-five round
bout and the decision was draw. They
are scheduled to fight again at the same
place on New Years Day, IfNelson loees
his title therefore il will probably be to
one or the other Of these energetic and
challengers. s.T
The greatest surprises Of the year were
two fights for the middIeweisht cham
pionship. When Bill Papke knocked |
out Stanley Ketohel in twelve rounds
at Los Angeles he not only established
his claim to the title but also fairly stunned !
the sporting world, for Ketchel had come |
TO be regarded on the Coast as q phe- !
pugilist who was in line TO win |
honors one OF these days. |
But Papke won with such consummate |
sase that the talent could not understand |
Il and there was immediate talk of q @first |
round lucky punch This comment
did not please Papke, who was soon talked
into another match. II was currently |
that Retchel did not train for |
this mill, but he certainly took good care |
10 tit himself for the next fight, as papke !
proved the easiest kind of mark and |
Ketchel, scoring knockout In the eleventh |
round. won the title OF middleweiRht |
ch ampion back again.
Abe Atteil featherweight champion
of America. twice risked his title In bat
lies with Owen Moran Of England, the
decision In each case being draw. The J