The San Francisco call., 1909-11-12
Powell Likely
To Be Choice
Over Wolgast
Battling Nelson Makes a Speech
i'm Boston and Praises Cali
ifOrnia Referees
BY WILLIAM ]. SLATTERY

From the way the fans are sizing
up Lew Powell and Ad Wolgast, the
indications are that the local light
weight will rule a favorite over the
Milwaukee slugger when they meet be-
fore the Mission club on the evening
of November 80. 1t would not be at
all surprising if Powells price is as
good as 10 to z though right now he
figures about 10 to s with the local
bettors. AS they will make the price.
their viii holds sway here, no matter
what sthe eastern fans and critics may
see fit to say.
Wolgast is very well thought of
around Chicago and the middle west.
He probably will rule a fayorlte there.
The eastern sports know nothing OF
Powell except what they have read.
The towheaded lad has never fought
on the other side of the Rockies. He
is a bashful sort of chap who attends
to all of his own business and, con-
sequently, he is practically unknown
outside of his native city. 1t took him
long time to gain recognition even
here.
The fact is that Powell is sadly in
need of publicity man. Just imagine
what card he would be If he were
under the wing of a man like the late
lamented Willis Britt. A live manager
would have Powells name in the mouth
of every fan east and west, and Powell
WOulu nave picked up a lOt VI easy
money ere now. This all goes to show
that no matter how good a boxer a
man may be, he can not become great
unless properly handled, and Powell
certainly has neglected himself in this
particular line.
The local experts do not know just
how to figure Wolgast. All they have
to go on is his reputation. He got most
of this four months ago, when he
grabbed off one of those 10 round Los
Angeles decisions" from Bat Nelson.
When this question is studied closely 1t
means nothing, for the reason that Nell
son never made creditable showing
against any dub in 10 rounds.
Powell has the advantage of Wolgast
in reach, height and boxing skill. If
he can go the route for 20 rounds and
the manner in which he fought Chick
Hudson and Johnny Frayne he GER
tainly stands an excellent chance or
winning. unless perchance Wolgast is
far better man than the local fans
are willing to give him credit for.
Wolgast is carded to box % rounds
with Henri Plot, the French light
weight at New Orleans on Sunday. This
should give us a good line on him. The
Frenchman was recently outpointed by
Maurice Sayers and we all know that
Sayers does not belong in Powell's class.
Unless he flattens Plot Wolgast win not
be conceded much of a chance against
the local lad.
The winner. of the Powell Wolgast
engagement should furnish worthy
opponent for Nelson and at the same
time one of the greatest lightweight
cards since the second Cans Nelson
hight at Colma on July 4, 1908. 1t goes
the winer if the proper Inducements
are offered and everybody knows that
the bidders for such a match will be
many.
Nelson was the host of the members
of the Boston newsboys union last
night. The lightweight champion is
fairly idolized by the. newsies all over
the country and 1,500 of them greeted
him in the hub city AS usual, the Bat
tier came through with speech when
requested, and the topic of his conver-
sation was referees and California ref
erees in particular.
Nelson went as far as he could to
boost the California referees. He told
the audience that the system out here
is the best in the world and that they
should adopt it in Boston without loss
of time. Nelson surely should be in a
position to know, for he has fought
many a battle under both the eastern
and western judges of the boxing game.
The followers of the four round game
have good looking card in store for
them at Dreamland this evening. The
main event will bring together Jimmy
Melville, the recognized amateur ban
tam champion of the coast. and Oliver
man who has taken the measure of all
the eastern bantams in jig time.
Kirk came out here with the inten-
ton of turning professional. but being
unable to land a go with any of the
money getters in his class he decided
to make at least one more amateur
stand. This will give the fans a line on
his work. He is well known here as
one of the star performers in the
Olympic clubs amateur show shortly
before the fire.
Besides the main event there are sew
eral other good bouts on the card. Pat
Cronyn. the speedy. welter weight will
meet Bill Ulrick, the pride of Butcher
town: Gus Muller and Tom Hanson, a
pair of middle weights. will swap
punches in one of the special events.
Both are new comers TO the game and
either one may be the makings of a
likely boxer in the future.
Walter Scott and Joe Kane meet in
the semi main event. while Billie Dun
can and Jack Nennon fight at 13S
pounds. Three other matches and pre-
iminary complete this attractive card.
Match Maker Schuler announces that
a corps of ushers will be on hand to
see that the patrons arc taken care of.