The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-24
SPORTING DEPARTMENT
JOHNNY KILBANE WORTHY SUCCESSOR
TO ATTELL; HAS WORKED HIS WAY UP
Owes Success to Dogged Determination. Was Forced
Early Age to Accept Burdens of World Because of
Fathers Blindness Forty Three Fights to Championship

Cleveland, Feb. 22.-Johnny Kilbanc,
AS Irish as Paddy's pig"-a % year
old boy with sparkling blue eyes, ready
wit whose every action is poppery, ef-
fervescent. indicative of lightning
brain and panther body--is the success.
ser of Abe Attell as the featherwcight
champion of America. a boy better
equipped for this estimable honor would
be hard to find. With him as leader,
the scientific standard of proficiency
introduced by Dixon. and rurthered
by Attell, will not suffer. Rather 1t
viii be improved upon to the better
mcnt of the boxing game,
Now that Johnny Silbanc OF Glove
land after working his way to the
goal of all pugilistic persons, has gain
ed 1t by beating the wonderful Hebrew
champion. you want TO know some
thing about this new jewel of the
gloves. He will interest YOU. gentle
reader. 1t is not necessary that you be
an enthusiast on boxing. The boy has
personality and as such ne will an,fI
a pleasant character study.
Kilbane was born in Cleveland in
April 1889. His father was Irish, his
mother was Irish, and all his relatives
dccendants of the tribal chieftains Of
The Emerald isle who ruled before the
advent of Cromwell. And johnny him
self is Irish--you would never have to
look twice 20 acquaint yourself of the
fact. He has no brogue. but YOU can
tell his ancestors had. There is some
thing about him-perhaps it's his
hashins eyes and a general air of ac-
tivity which he can't control--tbat sug-
gests shamrocks in fun bloom, the boys
the turf, the clay pipes and the black
team. He is typical Irish youth Of
today. but still he would have fitted
snugly into the customs of generations
asone.
Tough Kid at Thirteen.
When he was yOung-that u.s. IS or
l4-he was tough. wild. as an Irish
kid who is forced TO shoulder the bur
dens OF the world thus early in life,
generally is. Johnny has a father VINO
had tho misfortune TO so blind, and
the present champion was hustled
through the primary grades SO he could
be put to work and support the family.
His lack of education doubtless lost
to the country a brilliant man. For,
with the proper schooling. he would
have risen to heights beyond those
offered by fistiana. To become cham
pion fighter IL is essential that man
have attributes of higher quality
than hundred other men. Evolution
Is applied to boxing the same as to
or law. only the fttest sur
vive and hold the ramparts
He was a switch tender on the New
York. Pittsburg and Ohio railroad
when Jimmy Dunn, the Newcastle
came TO Cleveland five
years ago. lie weighed ninety pounds
stripped. which was mostly skin and
bones. But ne was a spirited kid,
chocSful of animal spirits. and 1t didn't
take more than two words TO get him
lighting. He liked To hang around the
of an evening and listen TO
the fight talk, and he then had Visions
Of himself in the ring. fighting, with
the cries of the crowd I'm his ears IN
cheers for him.
Quitting the switch tending job after
putting in a year at the work. he had a I
chance to go to Crystal Beach and see |
Jimmy Damn train for a fight. Dunn /
was real. 1.-Two aghter at that time, /
and Johnny. of course. idnSsc'l him. /
Dunn and lac became great Lends /
md Dunn gave him a few lessons In
boxing. That settled his destiny. He 4
decided then and there he wanted TO /
pc a scrapper. and he beseecher Dunn 4
10 take him and become his manager.
He fought his first battle Dec ?. 1907. /
n cleveland Ii was three round af-
air, and he won. He kept on. Matches
anne regularly for him for six months,
ind he was victor in most Of them.
rhen hard times came. and neither he
ior Dunn could get a fight. They had
tough struggle to obtain three
day. All the time Johnny
Mas study ing boxing. often on an em-
ny stomach. lie was an apt pupil ana