Norwich bulletin., 1912-03-08
Hides.
Wool.
THE PASSING OF ABE.
Long Regarded as One of the Greatest
Boxers.

When Referee Charley Eyton raised
Johnny Kilbane's hand at Los Angeles
proclaiming him victor in the 20
round bout with Abe Attell, a title
passed from one Of the greatest little
hghting machines the boxing game has
ever known. There was q time when
it was considered that a title could
change only through q knockout, but
that day has passed long ago.
As a general rule, knockouts are the
factors which decide championships.
McGovern had to stop Dixon, Cans had
to drop Erne, Nelson was forced TO
knock out Cans Corbett exhausted the
strength OF Sullivan, Fitzsimmons
knocked out Dempsey and Corbett,
Jeffries clamped the deciding blow on
Fitzsimmons' jaw, Johnson stopped
Burns and Jeffries, Wolgast battered
Nelson until the fight was stopped.
Attell did not win the featherweight
title by a knockout, but for several
years he has been the recognized
champion because he was able to de-
feat all the men of his own weight or
anywhere near his weight. He be-
came champion in 1904, when Terry
McGovern became too heavy to fight
At the featherweight limit 1t is gen
orally asserted that Corbett was never
Il real featherweight champion, as his
victory over Terry McGovern, the title
holder, was gained at 126 pounds, four
pounds above the featherweight limit
AS McGovern's defeats by Corbett
practically ended his ring career there
was no disputing Attelrs claims when
he declared himself featherweight
champion in 1904 His three draws
against George Dixon in 1901 added
weight to Attelrs claims, as did his
victories in 1904 over Kid Herman,
Aurelio Ferrara, Johnny Regain, Pat
sy Haley and Harry Forbes
There is no DENYING the wonderful
boxing ability Of little Abe. and it is
extremely doubtful if the ring will pro
duce mis- equal for many years to come
In his twelve years OF boxing Attell
has engaged i'll upward of 200 battles.
His record shows As krockouts and six
defeats, the remainder being wins.
draws and no-decislon affairs And by
far the greatest number of no-declsion
bouts went to Attel's credit Benny
Yanger is one of the few to hold a
decision over Attell. and that was OBJ
tanned in 1902 Tommy Kilbane Of
Cleveland Ono relation to the new
champion) got a decision over Abe last
year in Cleveland, but that was due
to Abe breaking his shoulder Brook
Young Corbett ara credited with hav-
ing knocked Attell out Bender did
the trick in a private bout at a local
gymnasium. in 1905, and Corbett deliv-
cred the sleep punch during a gymna-
stun wrangle in Denver
Attelrs lone knockout in a public
contest. scored by BROOKLYN Tommy
Sullivan in 1894, was afterward re-
trieved by AtteN with q similar vic
terry over sullivan Atten has plaved
the game like an expert He has
stalled, played and fought on his
merits
AttelI has often been termed the
greatest aeniVs who eve made his
marE with the gloves. His feintfng
was wonderful his sreed with both
hands and feet has been regarded as
next 70 perfection in boxing, and his
ability to tilt his head with every
punch ne takes greatly strengthened
his wonderful defense. Always cool. a
great judge Of distance. and in every
respect q marvellous boxer, he reigned
supreme in his class for years, while
| champions came AMI disappeared in
the other divisions.
During his long and active rims