El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-28

, day is regarded as the most important
heavyweight match since the Jeffries-
Johnson affair.
McCarty Has Good Chance.
McCarty's defeat Of Flynn was a
complete victory for the younger ele-
ment and while the Pueblo man could
hardly be figured a real contender Tor
the honOrs he was considered as sort
of standard by which the abilities Of
the more youthful aspirants could be
measured. Luther surprised the talent
in that engagement and, as confession
is said TO be good for the conscience,
IN add that was one Of the bunch
who was surprised" BY the victory
the youngster demonstrated he is a
wonderfully improved boxer and quall-
fled for battle with the best Of the
heavies. A comparison of the easy
manner in which he handled Flynn and
the failure of Johnson to stop the ex-
fireman last Fourth of July, is greatly
in the kids fOVor, and if he succeeds
in dispOsing OF Palzer on New Years
day there will be many who viii be
ready to acclaim him the coming cham
pion heavyweight of the world.
The Lightweight Crown.
The lightweight title also changed
hands during the year. Willie Ritchie,
a comparatively newcomer in the ring,
forced Ad WOlgaSt. conqueror Of the
great Battling Nelson, to lower his
colors last Thanksgiving day. While
a few supporters Of the eXchampion
maintain that the verdict OF winner on
a FOUL was unwaranted by what ac-
tually happened the fact remains that
the referee is the best judge Of how
far Wolgast transgressed against the
rules, and it is a poor sport who viii
attempt to begrudge Richie the credit
due for his splendid performances
AS a rule the downfall of a cham
pion is regarded with sincere regret
by the rank and file of sporting men,
but in WOlgasts case, am sorry to
say, there was little evidence Of sor-
row manifested in the comments Of the
For some reason Ad never enjoyed the
popularity Of Nelson. Cans and others
who preceded him at the head Of the
division. So far as the public is con-
cerned this opinion of the little Michi-
gander was nodded, no doubt, by the
sporting editors of the country whose
antipathy towards him was due to the
methods employed by manager Tom
Jones in protecting" the interests OF
his protege.
Nevertheless. Ad was a great little
fighter. Fighter" best describes him.
He was not a. clever boxer and won and
maintained his place at the top by
sheer ability to assimilate punishment
and "outlast7 his opponents. In that
respect Ad was a second Battling Nell
son ond might have reigned while
longer, as he is only "A years of age
now, had the operation for appendi-
tally.
The passing OF the title into the
hands Of Willie Richie marks the re-
sumption of rule Of the clever boxer
in the lightweight ranks. Since Nell
son won from the late Joe Cans the
'slugger'' has dominated the division,
but with Richie al the head the scien-
tific boxer comes into his own.
Ritchie's success will also mark the
raising" of the lightweight limit TO
135 pounds which will permit the
skiIlful Mcfarland and Britton to COM
pete for the honors. With Richie. Nc
Farland and BrittOn, and Freddy Welsh
in reserve, to safeguard the title there
would appear to be little danger of
the championship escaping from the
clutches of the Scientific" brigade for
q long time to come.
BantamVveight Title.
Johnny COulOn, present bantam
weight champion, is the lad whose
proud title is thought to be in jeopardy.
Judging by the caliber Of Johns re-