The San Francisco call., 1908-07-12
White Boxers Hold
fhe Championships
Battling Nelson Eliminates the
Last of the CoIorcd
Men
By z. A. Smyth


With the name Of Battling Nelson in
scribed opposite the worlds lightweight
championship title the last Of the great
negro lighters has been eliminated
from the lists, just as the negro jock
eys who ranked with the greatest rid
ers years ago have been forced from
rheir proud position. Cans was the
last Of that remarkable trio, OF Whlch
the others were George Dixon and Joe
Walcott Cans held his place in me
ring so much longer than the olhels
that he was thought invincible-
Nelson viii have many opportunities
to defend his title. but ii is expected
that he viii invariably demand route
longer than 20 rounds, as il IS ia the
cup distances" that he shows 10 the
best advantage. "Packey" McF arland IS
The most insistent Of the Challengers al
the present time and he wants 10 De'
heavily on the side that he can lower
the colors Of the Hegewisch man. lie
does not want a long route, however
and that may be bar 10 the meeting
of the Iightweights
There are many Tghtweights IN the
east who are eager 10 come mere 10
fgh+ ANYBODY. These include Tommy
Murphy. Young Erne and Johnny
Fravne the latter a Californian VINO
shown several good fights in the east
recently.
Battling Nelson will head big eX-
cursfon party 10 Livermore today,
where the Battler viii umpire game
Of baseball between the Imperials OF
this city and the Livermore team IN
Nelson party viii be his father, Willis
Britt. George Dixon, Charley Dixon,
Percy Dana, Jack Grace, Red Cornet
and JeR Perry.
Joe cans viii leave for Harbin Springs
for what Joe says is the first vacation
he has had since he began 10 fight i
years ago. Joe gave out statement
last night in which he said that he was
grateful 10 Nelson for the chance the
latter has given him 10 regain his title.
While he does not want to detract from
Nelson's victory. he declares that he
had an of day and that he did not show
his true form. With three weeks OF
rest IL the open air Of the mountains
and then a different course of training
Ia Nevada than that which he used in
his recent fight he expects 10 make a
much better showing when they meet
again.
Hugo KeIly's manager wired Luke
BTerisch yesterday that the Chicago
boxer viii leave there on Tuesday and
viii arrive here Friday night. He asked
that training quarters be selected for
him. II ketchel decides to train at
Colma his opponent viii settle down
either at Alameda or the ocean beach.
Alex Greggains. who has been teach
ing sam Nelson how 10 box, predicts
that the latter viii be a candidate for
the lightweight championship within
the next year Nelson won the prelimi-
nary at the Cans-Nelson fight. He is a
rapid progress as boxer under the di-
rection Of the old heavy weight.
Eddie Hanlon has realized his cher
ished ambition Of again entering the
ring. After being out OF 1t since he
was knocked out by Dick Hyland two
years ago in September, he is to ap-
pear in The little pavilion at Colma in
10 round bout with Johnny Murphy.
HanlOn has been away IN Sonoma
county for several months and he be-
lieves he has regained all his former
powers OF endurance Although he is
only g years Of age he has been in
The ring eight years.
Murphy is rugged fighter and
should prove a good trial horse for
Hanlon. The latter has done a lot Of
boxing recently at his training quar-
ters with Kid McFadden and others,
and sees no reason why he should not
come back and regain his OLD place in
the ring. There is so much activity
among the lightweights throughout the
country at the present time that it
viii be easy for him to secure desir-
able matches II he can prove his quail
ity.
Joe Thomas has also settled down to
serious preparation for his re-entry in
The ring. He il away IN the country at
present, but counts on being matched
soon. When he resumes training he
expects TO do lot Of boxing and. ac-
cording to his plans, he will have three
sparring partners. In addition to this
ne VIII have q skilled masseur and 2
mead trainer. II Joe had all these IA
cilities before when he was training
and had needed the advice Of his
friends he probably would be at the TOP
OF the ladder at the present time in
stead Of trying 10 get any kind OF q
match IN an effort to rehabilitate him
self. Joe's head was turned by his
success IN the east and he would not
take advice He knows now that he
has himself to blame for his reverses
ia the ring.
Los Angeles has not been able TO
come Up 10 the standard set by the
sporting men Of this city in the sup
port or boxing a laIr test was avail
able on July 4, when attractive cards
were staged in each city. Welsh and
Mcfarland was a particularly strong
card for the south, as the former was a
popular favorite, while the Chicago boy
was considered in line for the cham
pionship.
The fight in this city drew nearly
three times as much as that in the
south. Nelson's share Of the receipts
here was more than $4,000. while the
entire receipts in the south Were less
than $4,000. The game must be good
here when Conroth intends to stage
the Attell- Moran fight on September Z
Labor day, and another match on the
ninth, Admission day.
Joe Cans found time before his meet
ing in the ring with Nelson to plan a
little Joke on the Battler, but the lat
ter, unconsciOusly, spoiled the play
No one accuses Nelson OF being good
looking, as, during his varied ring ca
reer, he has acquired a pair Of ears
which are known to the profession as
-caulihower ears. Now, the left ear is
more disfgured than the right, and