The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-28
fBy James J. Corbett. Former Heavy crI......z.i<.., tI,ea World !

fBy James J. Corbett, Former Heavy
 weight Champion of the Worldly
 tWritten for The Evening Farmer.)
 The year 1912 was harsh in its treatment of fstic champions Two kftIe holders were deprived of hard earned laureIs by younger and more Vigorous opponents, one has been practically kicked out of the game by an indignant public. while still an other has shown such marked signs of deterioration that w1seacres have him marked for defeat the next time he enters the ring in defense of his title
 Abe Atteal, who for years ruled the featherweight roos1, was the first to Ret the hook. Johnny Kilbane, of Cleveland. put the Indian sign on the veteran last February. While not knocking AtteI out Kilbane so de- cisively outclassed his opponent that a decision in his favor was the only ruling the referee could possibly make
 In the passing of Atten the ring lost one of the greatest artists that ever figured at the head of any division. He wsas an ideal piece of fighting ma rhinery, with punch to help along the clever stuff of which he was a master. Abe was a smaller edition of the Tommy Ryan-Joe Cans type of boxer, and such his withdrawal from activity is a distinct loss to the ring
 AtteIPs successor, Ki1bane, has not rislxed his prestige in a long contest since winning the title. He has par ticipated in a few limited round matches, but with inferior men as a rule In his New York bouts with Dundee and O'Keefe. Johnny did not cover himself with glory, although not. forced to extend to the limit to winzt the popular verdicts- Local critics expected too much from the boy who lowered the great Attells colors and when KiIbane failed to dispose of the sturdy Dundee and the shifty O'Keefe within the limit they branded the Cleve1ander as 9ucky champion. With all respect due, to said critics, KiIbane Is a great fighter and out shines his rivals in the 122 pound division I believe he will experience no great trouble to drive the fact home when he boxes Johnny Dundee twenty rounds at Los Angeles next April, the latter at the present tine being recognized as the most formida- bIe of all the chaiIengers for the title.
 The heavyweight situation is a most peculiar one. This has been brought about by the enforced retirement of Jack Johnson. The probability is Johnson will never again be seen in the ring Certainly not in this coun- try. No American promoter woul d have the cheek to try to force this objectionable character upon the pub lie.
 affairs heretofore unknown in the his- from competition creates a state of affairs heretofose unknown in the his tory of the ring Time will bring about the solution and through the medium of elimination contests a champion worthy of the great honor will no doubt be eventually developed.
 While the exclusion of Johnson from participation in the ring is pleasing to all who have the interests of the sport at heart the fight fans of the country have other causes for congrat- u1ation. The marked improvement in the ranks of the white heavies during the past twelve months is most grat- flying and indicates that the time is not far off when a white man will again be in possession of the coveted title of champion From mere prospects, a few months ago sever al heavies have developed to the stage where they are now reckoned as Championship material notably Pal ger and McCarty whose meeting next "Wednesday is regarded as the most important heavyweight match since the Jeffries-Johnson affair.
 McCarty's defeat of Flynn was a victory for the Younger element and though the Pueblo man could hardly be figured a real contender for the honors he was considered as a sort of standard by which the abilities of the more youthful aspirants could be measured Luther surprised the tal- eEt in that engagement and as con fession is said to be good for the con science I'll add that I was one of the bunch who was surprised" By the victory the youngster demonstrated he Is a wonderfully improved boxer and qualified for battle with the best of kf1e heavies regardless of color A comparison of the easy manner in which he handled Flynn and the fail ure of Johnson to stop the ex-fire- man last Fourth of July is greatly in the kids favor, and if McCarty beats Palzer on New Years Day many will be ready to proclaim him the com Ing champion heavyweight of the world. My own opinion, if it may win the battle.
 The lightweight title also changed hands during the year. Willie Ritch- ae, a comparatively newcomer, forced Ad Wolgast, conqueror of the great Battling Nelson. to lower his coIors last Thanksgiving Day. While a few supporters of the ex-chanpion main tain that the verdict of winner on a xolIs was unwarranted by what actu- ally happened the fact remains that khe referee is the best judge of how far Wolgast transgressed against the r,.les, and it is a poor sport who will Ettempt to begrudge Ritchie the cred