Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-03-07
Pugilistic Titles
Likely to Change
Hands This Year

The close of the present year is
likely OF witness many changes in
the pugilistic lineup. New aspirants
for championship honors in all divi-
sions are coming to the front and
present title holders are confronted
with the prospect of some lively bat
ties to prevent their retirement to the
has-been class. From the view point
of the fight fan, conditions contrasted
with those existing a year ago are ex-
ceedingly bright.
A ycar ago Abe Attell stood head
and shoulders above all the 1872
pound men in the world. and there
was no serious contender for his
title, while Battling n son was the
only available lightweight in tho
country capable of giving Joe Cans
an argument for the 13j-pound
honorS. In the welterweight class
Mix (Twin) Sullivan. Jimmy Gard
ner and Harry Lewis were squabblinE
over the merits of one another. al
though 0 n of the three gained any
decided advantage in the series OF
ten-round exhibitions they partici-
pated in. Stanley Ketchell was con
ceded the middleweight honors with
out argument and with Jeffries in
retirement Tommy Burns had a clear
field in the heavyweight division.
having drawn the color line and re-
fused Jack Johnson. the present
holder Of the title, a match
Today Abe Attell is not alone in his
class. owen Moran and Jem D~riscoll.
two little English boxers, arc threat
ening to dethrone him at any minute.
the former having already fought At
tell 20 rounds to a draw. while the
latter recently outpointcd the little
Hebrew in a 10-round no-declsion
bout in New York.
II the lightweight division Fred
die Welsh. the Englishman; Packey
Mcfarland, the Chicago boy; "Cy-
clone" Johnny Thompson. and
Fighting Dick Hyland, Of Califor-
MIA. are clamoring for n crack at
Battlin- Nelson, and from past per-
formances any one OF them will give
a good account of himself if matched
with the Battler. Although it has
been reported that Mcfarland can
make the lightweight limit G3S
pounds. ringside) he still contends
that he can and viii make the weight
If matched with Nelson
rho same three, Gardner. Sullivan
and Lewis. are still claimants of the
middlcweight honors and arrange
nents are now under way to bring
men together in two battles TO
settle the DISPUTED honors.
Stanley Ketchel's title is now seri-
threatened by the advent OF
Langford in the m~iddleweight
lass. This dusky fighter. who re
emily knocked out Jim Flynn in one
'ound, is probably the only man in
lis class who can take Ketchers
measure. Hugo Kelly, although de-
by Ketchel in three cum
taken a new lease of life and at
er travelling twenty rounds to a draw
With Billy Papke. and knocking ont
Toe Thomas. now wants another
nance at Kctehel
Jack johnson. having defeated
Burns in Australia. is nov
~lndisputed heavyweight champion
f the world. but unless present in
ications fail. IN will have James J.
effries to contend with before the
ear is much older. Al kaufman and
Il Kubiack are also contenders for
he heavyweight donors, although
has shown much willingness
D meet the burly black man.
In all likelihood there will be at
.ast four championship battles held
uring the present year. and if one or
titles do not change hands the
of those who follow the
ana viii be badly mistaken in their
redictiOns.