Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-23
HARD TO BELIEVE
KETCHEL IS DEAD
Corbett Says Assassination of
Fighter Is Hard Blow
to Fraternity.
McFARLAND-GOODMAN
BOUT FOR NEW YORK
Tribune Expert Declares Me-
FarIand- Goodman Mill Will
Be One Worth Seeing.
By James J. Corbett.

. LOUISVILLE, Ky, October 22-Poor
Stanley Ketchel met an ,untimely end.
The report that he was deliberately shot
down by the hand of an assassin could
hardly be believed by the followers of
the pugilistic game and by his friends,
who knew Stanley best as g. great big
good-na tured boy-the last man in the
world to get in trouble of the sort that
is supposed to have brought about his
death.
Only twentyfOur years old, Ketchel had
been the proud possessor of the middle
weight title for more than two years.
and at one time was considered good
enough to beat Johnson. In his short ca
reer he was the marvel of the game, and
his greatest fault was that he was a
good fellow" From an athletes stand
point this means that he was his own
worst enemy.
Like most public characters, Ketchers
success opened wide avenues of tempta-
tion which, if not sidestepped, work more
real harm to the athlete than a hundred
hard-fOught ring contests, aad Stanley
was only human. ketchel was one of
the most popular fighters who have come
to the front in recent years, and Wher-
ever professional boxing is known there
is genuine sorrow that he has taken the
final count.
Stewart-Burns Bout Joke.
The Jim StewartJack Burns ten-round
bout in New York last week failed to
come up to the expectations OF fight fol-
lowers. Both men had been touted so
strongly in the sporting columns of the
newspapers that the fans naturally eX-
pected TO see couple of world beaters in
action.
While the contest was fairly interest
ing, and Stewart showed that he had it
on the Californian through sheer strength
and weight, the championship caliber was
in the minus. Possibly with more ex-
perience this big fellow Stewart may de-
vc!op into a good heavyweight. But
from all accounts he would stand little
chance with men of the kaufman-Lang-
Langford type.
In this column last week 1 took the
liberty Of offering a little friendly advice
10 the men engaged in the business of
promoting professional boxing. One Of
my suggestions was that the referees be
clothed with more authority. The rules
under which contests are supposed to be
held are. of course, plain enough, and
give the referees full power to exercise
their judgment and discretion, but the
great trouble is that most cubs make
their own rules and the paid arbiters are,
to certain extent. largely figureheads.
Public Wants Clean Boxing.
Good. clean. scientific boxing is. In my
opinion, what the public wants. 1 notice
that when two men with regulations as
clever boxers get together there generally
is big crowd on hand to see the sport.
do not believe that the fight fans are so
boodthirsty the average promoter
thinks. Cut out the professional hugger
and bitter and give us men who know
something about the game.
Jack johnson was SO worked up over
that automobile match with Barney Old
field that he thought it advisable to take
out some insurance policies. The insur-
ance is supposed to cover both accident
and death claims, and 1t has even been
rumored that he had one policy written
for 5000 covering his gold teeth. Little
Arthur undoubtedly would dislike to lose
the framework of that celebrated golden
smile.
Battling Nelson appears to have upset
the dope on the come back" question.
The Battler gave good account of him.
self In his first try-out since the defeat
by Wolgast. Monty Dale was the name of
the victim. and, while the latter has the
excuse to offer that he broke his arm,
dent that he was much the better man of
the two. Nelson, according to reports,
showed all his old-time dash. and claims
that he is as good as ever. We will know
IuOTe ABOUT tQlS WHen- ne goes up against
some of the harder nuts.
Nelson Is After Title.
Nelson is out for the lightweight title,
and says he will be the exception to the
rule that no ex-champion ever regains
his lost honors. AS AID Wolgast is thought
to be out of the game for good and all
with broken arm. who is the Battler 60
ing to win the championship from? If
Ad Is forced to retire there will be at
least dozen claimants for the title. Bat
1t one of the legitimate 133-pounders, and
1t is doubtful if there is a man in the
game who has anything on the Dane at
the weight.
Mcfarland and Goodman are out of the
race. and the most formidable aspirants
in the eastern bunch are Pal Moore and
Moran, with the chances all in favor of
Moore. who has the youth. In the mean
time Nelson. to show that he means busi-
ness. has signed to box fifteen rounds
coast marvel. If the Battler gets away
with Hogan he will have proved to every
ones satisfaction that he is really him
self again.
the golden west, this young Hogan Is the
cleanup kid. and after having licked all
the lightweights on the coast believes that
he is justified In looking for bigger game.
He will find the old Battler pretty tough
nut to crack
Good Match for New York.
The next important match on the tapis
for New York fans is the proposed bout
between Packey Mcfarland and Jack
Goodman. These boys were matched to
fight early during the present month,
but an injury to the clever Goodman's
hand. necessitated postponement. Pack
ey claims to be willing to make 135
pounds for Goodman and weigh in at 5
pm. Jack says that this weight will suit
him. so there should be no hitch in the
matchmaking.
If the truth were known it is likely that
neither boy can make this weight and
that both will be fighting in the welter
weight class before many moons. And
the addition of these boys to that division
will add some tone to the welters. There
are few classy boxers among the welter-
weights, with the possible exception of
Harry Lewis, If the samples that have
been furnishing exhibitions in New York
clubs are to be seriously considered.
Either Dixie Kid or Fighting Dick Mel
son would be the biggest kind of joke
In the ring with clever man like Nc
Farland; they are samples of the men who
claim the welterweight title It looks to