Norwich bulletin., 1910-01-04
BIG FIGHTS WERE FEW. Past Year Showed Only Minor PusiI.
 istic Affairs.


 Although the year 1909 was a very
 active one in boxing, yet there were
 few sensational contests in the ring
 during the past 12 months. The year
 was born with the sporting world still
 discussing actively the details of the
 international fight between Jack John
 son and Tommy Burns, which had been fought on Christmas day in far off
 Sydney in which the Canadian heavy
 weight had proved a punching bag for the Texas negro, and which contest
 became so one sided that the police stopped it in order to save a knockout
 for Burns The result of the battle.
 the first of international importance
 which had been fought in that far off
 land in many years, made Jack John son the heavyweight champion of the
 world.
 After beating Burns, Johnson return ed to this country, where he did the usual stunt of appearing in the variety halls and burlesQue theaters. Out in California the sports had the idea that Johnson was not of much account, and 8 match was arranged with Al Kauf- man, the young heavyweight, who had improved considerably in recent matches. Johnson beat Kaufman in a ten round contest showing great sIipe- riorit-r over the California mas a boxer but keeping under cover with anything like a showing of great punching pow CT. His work in this latter bout, to- gether with the idea that he had a yell low streak, caused the arranging of a match between Johnson and Stanley Ketchel, a terrific puncher, and a man whose body blows were thought to be the things whi eh would bring Johnson low in short order. Johnson was given credit for boxing ability, but many thought he would never be able to with stand KetchePs terrific rushes and se- were punches. Johnson practically played with ketchel, and when he got ready knocked the latter out, the end coming in the 18th round.
 With Ketchel grown out of the mid. dlweight class, Sam Langford has the latter division all to himself. He has defeated every man whom he has met recently, barring Johnson, and he is now suffering the penalty of greatness, for he finds it almost impossible to se- weights being willing to face him in the ring and the light heavyweights also showing a wholesome respect for his fighting ability.
 During the year the welterweight class has not developed any good ma terial. Men like Jimmy Gardner, Will lie Lewis. Harry Lewis, Frank Klauss and others who are masquerading as welterweights. all refuse to make the weight, 142 pounds, which is usually set for that division, and the critics are forced to set them down as middle weights.
 Battling Nelson still retains the title of lightweight champion. He has en- gagged in several minor contests during the past year, the longest being with Dick HyIal:d, which lasted 23 rounds. He met and defeated Jack Clifford in five rounds. both these fights ending by Nelson knocking out his opponent Ad Wolgast ernt Nelson in a ten round, no decision contest at Los Angeles, and the champion, according to the newspap per reports. but the contest showed that in a long battle Wolgast would be no match for Nelson. Vol gast is a promising young boxer. by the way. and may one day be a con- tender for champion honors.
 Tn the featherweight division Abe Att tell still is the boss, no one having de- veloped with the speed and cleverness of the little Californian. Charley White, the Chicago boxer, who recently met Attell in Memphis. appears to be about the best little boxer who has come to light in the past year He made Attel extend himself in an eight round bout. but whether he can go the distance with a past master of the art such as Attell has proven himself to be is a question.